Thorndon Mile

The Group 1 Thorndon Mile is a Group 1 event held over 1600m at Trentham Racecourse each year.

Held each year traditionally on the last Saturday in January, the Thorndon Mile is the co-main event on Wellington Cup Day.

This race was known as the WRC George Adams Handicap until 1983. It was also known as the Jarden Mile or Jarden Morgan Mile while sponsored by that organisation over the 1984-1991 period.

Some of New Zealand’s best horses have tasted success in the race, with the likes of Alamosa, Grey Way, Kawi, Melody Belle & Sir Slick all featuring on the honour roll of the Group 1 Thorndon Mile.

2023 Thorndon Mile betting odds

The Thorndon Mile odds as of January 18 look like this:

• La Crique – $2.60
• Coventina Bay – $4.20
• Belle En Rouge – $6.00
• Prise De Fer – $6.00
• He’s A Doozy – $7.00
• Sharp ‘N’ Smart – $7.00

Complete Thorndon Mile odds available at Neds.

Best Thorndon Mile bookmakers

All of our recommended online bookmakers offer all-in and fixed-odds betting on the Thorndon Mile, but only some open their markets early. Follow the links in the table below to find the best odds for the 2023 Thorndon Mile.

Sport Table

Thorndon Mile news

Here is the latest Thorndon Mile news and betting tips:

Thorndon Mile betting guide

Rosie Myers has won three of the last 11 editions, joining David Walsh, Lance O’Sullivan and Opie Bosson as the only jockeys to register success in the Thorndon Mile on multiple occasions.

Noel Eales holds the record for most wins in the Thorndon Mile, having won the race on five seperate occassions between 1990-2001.

Melody Belle equalled the great Sunline’s record for a NZ trained horse of 13 Group 1 victories by winning the Thorndon Mile in 2021.

The race is used traditionally for horses beginning their autumn campaign, with a look to run in the Herbie Dyke Stakes two weeks later before a potential trip across the Tasman to compete in the Melbourne & Sydney Autumn Carnivals.

The Thorndon Mile is one of the most anticipated horse racing events in New Zealand and the 2023 edition, will be no exception.

2023 Thorndon Mile Field

Horsebetting.com.au will update this page when the 2023 Thorndon Mile field is released.

2022 Thorndon Mile result

Recent Thorndon Mile winners

• 2022: The Chosen One sizzles in Thorndon success
  A late nomination to contest the Group One Thorndon Mile feature at Trentham paid dividends for the connections of quality performer The Chosen One as the Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained runner scored a stunning victory in the 1600m feature. Having his first start since running a gallant fifth in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) back in November, the six-year-old Savabeel entire looked well suited under the set weights and penalties conditions of the race, having to carry just 55kgs in the contest. Rider Matt Cameron had The Chosen One beautifully positioned in fourth throughout as he tracked a solid pace set up by Wild Moose, before angling into a challenging position rounding the home bend. Momentarily headed by Harlech with 300m to run, The Chosen One unwound powerfully for Cameron as he burst clear to win comfortably by just on three lengths from Coventina Bay, who stormed home along the rail to snatch second from a brave Mali Ston, who also made up good ground in the closing stages.
• 2021: Melody Belle creates history
  When Melody Belle took out the 2021 Thorndon Mile at Trentham she equalled Sunline’s record of 13 Group One wins by a New Zealander. Having her first start since the spring, Melody Belle travelled midfield for regular rider Opie Bosson and fought off the challengers to win the 1600 metre feature by 1.25 lengths over Sinarahma. She oozed class throughout the mile feature and took her remarkable career record to 18 wins pfrom her 36 starts and more than $4.1 million in prize money.
• 2020: The Mitigator hands Peter McKay another Thorndon win
  The Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham has always been one of the McKay family’s favourite races, but in 2020 it became much more special. The Mitigator delivered a third victory in the time-honoured feature for Matamata trainer Peter McKay, who had previously won it with Alamosa in 2008 and Puccini in 2015. Even more significantly, it was a first taste of Group 1 glory for his son, jockey Shaun McKay. The Mitigator returned to his usual leading role, and he was right back at his relentless best. Ridden perfectly, he dominated the race from the front and fought for all he was worth when he was challenged in the straight. The Mitigator held on to win by a short head from Wyndspelle, who was a last-start Group 1 Captain Cook Stakes winner over the same course and distance.
• 2019: Shadows Cast causes upset
  Shadows Cast gave his rivals weight and a beating to win the 2019 Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham. Despite going into the race a last start Group 2 winner, Shadows Cast started at $21 on the local tote. Jason Waddell crossed from the outside barrier on the Mark Oulaghan-trained six-year-old to settle on the quarters of The Mitigator after 400m. Shadows Cast took over early in the home straight and then held the late rally from Wyndspelle ($6) to score by a neck with Watch This Space ($50) a further 1.75 lengths away in third.
• 2018: Stolen Dance bows out in style
  Racing dreams for Stolen Dance were fulfilled at Trentham when she earned Group 1 success in her final appearance. The Alamosa mare had been a multiple placegetter at the highest level before she overcame a testing run for a clear-cut victory in the 2016 Group 1 Thorndon Mile (1600m), in which she finished runner-up to Kawi in 2016. In foal to Tavistock, Stolen Dance was retired at the top of her game. Stolen Dance was sent out at odds of $23 with her stablemate Love Affair installed favourite, but she was never a factor under jockey Matt Cameron. Little went right in the running for Stolen Dance’s rider Sam Spratt either, but the mare was good enough to overcome a tough run. Stolen Dance improved around runners 1000m from home to hit the front half-way down the straight and she had more than enough in reserve to hold Watch This Space and Hiflyer at bay.

Thorndon Mile past winners list

Thorndon Mile Past Winners Pre 2000