{{Infobox horseraces | class = Group I | horse race = Northern Derby | image = | caption = | location = Alexandra Park<br>Auckland, New Zealand | inaugurated = 1916 | race type = Standardbred - Flat racing | website = {{URL|https://www.alexandrapark.co.nz}} | distance = 2700m | surface = dirt | track = Right-handed oval, Mobile Barrier | qualification = Three-year-old horses | purse = }} {{for|the galloping race run up to 1972|Great Northern Derby (race)}} The '''Northern Derby''', which was formerly known as the '''Great Northern Derby''', is a Group 1 harness racing event for 3 year old standardbreds. It is a major event for 3 year old colts and geldings in New Zealand and currently run at Alexandra Park in Auckland, in March.

==Records==

'''Most wins by a driver:''' * 6 - Mark Purdon (1995, 1996, 2008, 2016, 2020, 2022| * 5 - Barry Purdon (1981, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1997) * 6 - Tony Herlihy (1988, 1990, 2004, 2013, 2021)

== Winners list == Winners of the Northern Derby include some of the best horses produced in New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://infohorse.hrnz.co.nz/datahrs/major_races/major_race13.htm | title=Add og title }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:50px" | Year <br> ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:153px"| Horse <br> ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:300px"| Owner <br> ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:150px"| Driver <br> ! style="background-color:#dacaa5; width:40px"| Time <br> |- |2025||Marketplace<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/a-new-star-in-the-marketplace/|title=A new star in the Marketplace - Harnesslink|first=Bruce|last=Stewart|date=May 17, 2025}}</ref>||Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, P I Baken, Small Car World Ltd, R J Magness, R W Todd||Craig Ferguson||3:14.9 |- |2024||Cold Chisel<ref>{{cite web | url=https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/cold-chisel-belts-out-another-derby-for-purdon/ | title=Cold Chisel belts out another Derby for Purdon - Harnesslink | date=22 March 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/history-repeats-in-northern-derby/ | title=History repeats in Northern Derby }}</ref>||Montana Park Pty Ltd ||Zachary Butcher||3:20.82 |- |2023|| Merlin<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzbstandardbred.co.nz/news/merlin-nz-adds-group-one-derby-to-incredible-record|title=Merlin (NZ) adds Group One Derby to Incredible Record &#124; NZB Standardbred &#124; Standardbred Auction House|website=www.nzbstandardbred.co.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/merlin-wins-135000-northern-derby/|title=Merlin wins $135,000 Northern Derby - Harnesslink|first=Bevan|last=Greig|date=March 24, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzbstandardbred.co.nz/news/magical-merlin-nz-clinches-new-zealand-group-one-derby-double|title=Magical Merlin (NZ) Clinches New Zealand Group One Derby Double &#124; NZB Standardbred &#124; Standardbred Auction House|website=www.nzbstandardbred.co.nz}}</ref>||Montana Park Pty Ltd||Zachary Butcher||3:18.2 |- |2022|| Akuta<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nzbstandardbred.co.nz/news/akuta-nz-confirms-star-status-in-epic-derby-win|title=Akuta (NZ) Confirms Star Status in Epic Derby Win &#124; NZB Standardbred &#124; Standardbred Auction House|website=www.nzbstandardbred.co.nz}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://harnesslink.com/new-zealand/purdon-warns-the-best-is-yet-to-come-from-akuta/|title=Purdon warns the best is yet to come from Akuta - Harnesslink|first=Bevan|last=Greig|date=March 31, 2022}}</ref>|| Cullen Breeding Limited, Mark Purdon ||Mark Purdon ||3:19.9 |- |2021||Krug||Mrs C M Dalgety, M P Hanning, McKerrow Bloodstock Limited, G P Merlo, P J Creighton, Mrs M C Creighton, G E Dickey, K J Cummings ||Tony Herlihy|| 3:18.0 |- |2020 || Amazing Dream || Mrs J L Feiss ||Mark Purdon|| 3:16.2 |- |2019 || Ultimate Sniper|| Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, G R Douglas, P J Creighton, Mrs M C Creighton, K J Riseley || Natalie Rasmussen|| 3:22.6 |- |2018 || Chase Auckland || Alabar Racing Syndicate || Natalie Rasmussen || 3:16.8 |- |2017 || Raukapuka Ruler || Colt 45 Syndicate || Dexter Dunn || 3:17.4 |- |2016 || Lazarus || Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, T G Casey, K J Riseley || Mark Purdon || 3:17.1 |- |2015 || Have Faith In Me || D M Dunford, M D Dunford || Tim Williams || 3:18.7 |- |2014 || Tiger Tara || R L Sandford, Mrs J A Sandford, J S Gould, G R Dunn || Gerard O'Reilly || 3:21.1 |- |2013 || Ohoka Punter || K Carville || Tony Herlihy || 3:19.2 |- |2012 || Ideal Scott || Est J F Twomey, J W Devlin, Mrs P G Hughes, Mrs M E Green || Todd Macfarlane || 3:19.1 |- |2011 || Sushi Sushi || P Sequenzia, A Cendron, P D'Alessi, P Sergi || Greg Sugars || 3:17.0 |- |2010 || Russley Rascal || N Pilcher, R W Grice || Blair Orange || 3:20.5 |- |2009 || Stunin Cullen || T McDonald, E C Griffin || Anthony Butt ||3:23.2 |- |2008 || Fiery Falcon || Ms M M Wilson, Est Sir Roy McKenzie, Rona McKay, P I Kennard, Mrs G J Kennard, Clive McKay || Mark Purdon ||3:20.8 |- |2007 || Changeover || A.T.C. Trot 2006 Syndicate || David Butcher ||3:21.8 |- |2005 || Monkey King || Cavalla Bloodstock Limited || Todd Mitchell ||3:24.8 |- |2004 || Badlands Bute || Lincoln Farms Ltd || Tony Herlihy ||3:23.8 |- |2003 || Winforu || Mrs M E Wych, J C McJorrow || Maurice McKendry ||3:01.6 |- |2002 || Elsu || Mrs J Walters, Double Up Syndicate, Est D Hudson, Mrs P Small || David Butcher ||3:20.7 |- |2001 || All Hart || J R Duncalf, W Harvey, R C Mills, L C O'Connor || David Butcher ||3:20.5 |- |2000 || Matai || Mackenzie A.T.C. Trot 2000 Syndicate || Brent Mangos ||3:25.2 |- |1999 || Stars And Stripes || C N Radford, Mrs J Z Radford || Ken Barron ||3:20.4 |- |1998 || Courage Under Fire|| G W Brodie || Colin De Filippi ||3:20.9 |- |1997 || Holmes D G || Second Five Syndicate || Barry Purdon ||3:20.1 |- |1996 || The Court Owl || W G Kitcher, G W Hutchison || Mark Purdon ||3:25.7 |- |1996 || Lavros Star || R M Cameron, Kypros Kotzikas || Anthony Butt ||3:23.4 |- |1995 || Il Vicolo || J H Seaton, Mark Purdon || Mark Purdon ||3:28.1 |- |1994 || Ginger Man || G W Brodie || Barry Purdon ||3:23.3 |- |1993 || Hitchcock || L G Christensen, W R Pengelly, J S S Richardson, N J Taylor || Barry Purdon ||3:23.0 |- |1992 || Rainbow Fella || T J Hackett, R J Hall || Richard Brosnan ||3:28.2 |- |1991 || Sogo || Parnell Syndicate || Barry Purdon ||3:23.5 |- |1990 || Christopher Vance || R R Reid, Lorna Reid Syndicate, Mrs J C Reid || Tony Herlihy ||3:23.3 |- |1989 || Inky Lord || G M Saunders|| Ricky May ||3:29.9 |- |1988 || Godfrey|| R O Baynes, Mrs B M Ludke || Tony Herlihy ||3:22.5 |- |1987 || Race Ruler || A E Wallis, L W Giraud || Maurice McKendry ||3:25.2 |- |1986 || Laser Lad || G Calderwood, B Vickery, W L Crawford, K J English || Peter Jones || 3:25.6 |- |1985 || Nardinski || B J, B R, D J & Mrs Smolenski || Jack Smolenski || 3:28.9 |- |1984 || Roydon Glen || Roy McKenzie || W F (Fred) Fletcher || 3:29.6 |- |1983 || Mighty Me || C W & Mrs S M McLachlan || Robert M Cameron || 3:31.2 |- |1982 || Mel's Boy || P J & Est B L Robertson || Jack Smolenski || 3:26 |- |1981 || Melton Monarch || Jim Dalgety || Barry Purdon || 3:30.9 |- |1980 || Armbro Wings || S K & J A Somerville & A L Milne || Colin De Filippi || 3:36.3 |- |1979 || Matai Dreamer || A L & Mrs N Milne || Robert M Cameron || 3:29.8 |- |1978 || Main Star || A L & Mrs B Kerslake & F Woolley || Robert M Cameron || 3:26.8 |- |1977 || Sapling || R Given & G C Cruickshank || D J McNaught || 3:28.7 |- |1976 || Ripper's Delight || Ripper Syndicate || A K Holmes || 3:32.6 |- |1974 || Captain Harcourt || E J Bennett || Peter Wolfenden || 3:27.6 |- |1973 || Speedy Guest || W F Woolley || Jack W Smolenski || 3:13.4 |- |1971 || Roydon Roux || Roy McKenzie || Doug R Mangos || 3:12.8 |- |1970 || Caledonian Garrison ||H C & J S JStormont || J Butcher || 3:16.6 |- |1969 || First Batch || D Mace || R J Weatherley || 3:14.2 |- |1968 || Garcon Roux || Roy McKenzie || J B Noble || 3:21.8 |- |1967 || Cardinal Garrison || Mrs R C Nelmes & P G Trigg || R Young || 3:10.4 |- |1966 || Governor Frost || C Hadley || Peter Wolfenden || 2:56.2 |- |1965 || Tutta Tryax || H S Barry || M F Holmes || 2:58.2 |- |1964 || Golden Oriole || M A Butt || W R Butt || 2:55.2 |- |1963 || Scottish Laddie || Roy McKenzie || Doug Mangos || 2:57.8 |- |1962 || Tactile || A J & D P Dynes || D J Townley || 3:11.2 |- |1961 || Waitaki Hanover || F Smith || Peter Wolfenden || 3:15.6 |- |1960 || King Hal || C E Dillon || D G Jones || 3:23.6 |- |1959 || Sun Chief || S Easton || Doody Townley || 3:14.2 |- |1958 || Call Boy || C E Blackwell || R C Purdon || 3:17.2 |- |1957 || Firmament || W Hosking || F Smith jnr || 3:22-3 |- |1956 || Giuseppe || H M Allen & L J R Barrett || H M Allen || 3:25.4 |- |1955 || Canyon || R B Levy || A B Levy || 3:20.2 |- |1954 || Celestial || W Hosking || J K Hughes || 3:18 |- |1953 || Scottish Brigade || C C Scott || J B Scott || 3:16 |- |1952 || Macall || K D Fraser || D G Jones || 3:21.4 |- |1951 || Fabius || J S Shaw || J S Shaw || 3:19.2 |- |1950 || Johnny Globe || D G Nyhan || D G Nyhan || 3:17.2 |- |1949 || Soangetaha || Mrs M A Ryland || D G Jones || 3:20.4 |- |1948 || Chamfer || D McFarlane || M F Holmes || 3:19 |- |1947 || Sir Vivian || P V Flexman || R Young || 3:18.4 |- |1946 || Snowflake || L F Berkett || L F Berkett || 3:19 |- |1945 || Local Gold || J H Parsons || A B Holmes || 3:21.4 |- |1944 || Acropolis || T J Atkinson || R B Berry || 3:29.6 |- |1944 || Josie Dell || F A Bridgens || G Gray || 3:25.2 |- |1943 || Golden Shadow || T Rothwell || J Bryce jnr || 3:23 |- |1942 || Symphony || E G Bridgens || F J Smith || 3:24 |- |1941 || Peter'S Find || A W Bailey || G T Mitchell || 3:24 |- |1940 || Bonniedene || Mesdames G Young & G Downes || F J Smith || 3:32.4 |- |1939 || Contender || J T Paul || J T Paul || 3:28 |- |1938 || Horsepower || G Rosenbaum || R B Berry || 3:38 |- |1936 || Parisienne || R Revell || R B Berry || 3:30.6 |- |1935 || Valdor || S W Kelly || R B Berry || 3:22.6 |- |1934 || Subsidy || W J Doyle || W J Doyle || 3:23.2 |- |1933 || Chancellor || E G & F A Bridgens || F J Smith || 3:27.4 |- |1932 || Indianapolis || G J Barton || E C McDermott || 3:26 |- |1931 || Tempest || G J Barton || W J Tomkinson || 3:30 |- |1930 || Red Shadow || Deyell & Neale || J Bryce || 3:20.4 |- |1929 || Great Parrish || J T Paul || J T Paul || 3:30.6 |- |1928 || Wrackler || H F Nicoll || M F Holmes || 3:35.4 |- |1927 || Daphne de Oro || J Washington || F Holmes || 3:34.6 |- |1926 || Great Peter || J W Tims || J T Paul || 3:30 |- |1925 || Nantwich || H F Nicoll || A Hendricksen || 3:29.6 |- |1924 || Glenelg || C M Ollivier || A Butterfield || 3:33.4 |- |1923 || Taurekareka || R M Morten || J Bryce || 3:29 |- |1922 || Acron || J R McKenzie || J J Kennerley || 3:29.2 |- |1921 || Great Hope || R McMillan || R A McMillan || 3:31 |- |1920 || Nelson Derby || G Craw || J G Robertson || 3:32.2 |- |1919 || Lady Switin || H F Nicoll || F Holmes || 3:35.6 |- |1918 || Locanda Dillon || W H Robbins || A Pringle || 3:31.4 |- |1917 || President Wilson || F J Remington || A Hendricksen || 3:34.6 |- |1916 || Chid || W B Masham || J Bryce || 3:36.6 |}

==Other major races== * Auckland Trotting Cup * New Zealand Sires Stakes 3yo Final * New Zealand Trotting Cup * New Zealand Free For All * New Zealand Trotting Derby * Noel J Taylor Mile * New Zealand Messenger * Rowe Cup * Dominion Handicap * Inter Dominion Pacing Championship * Inter Dominion Trotting Championship

==See also== * Harness racing * Harness racing in New Zealand

==References== {{reflist|2}}

Category:Harness horse races in New Zealand Category:Horse races in New Zealand