| Group II race | |
| Location | Ellerslie Racecourse Auckland, New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 2100m (10.5 furlongs) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | right-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds |
| Weight | Set-Weights |
| Purse | $120,000 (2022) |
The Championship Stakes, run at Ellerslie Racecourse, is a Group 3 horse race run for three-year-olds at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand.
When the New Zealand Derby was moved from December to March in the 2005-06 season, the race was set up to be run on the second Saturday in February as the main-lead-up race, two weeks before the Derby. Before this the race had been restricted to fillies only.
In 2011 the race was moved New Year's Day, with the Avondale Guineas (previously run in December at Avondale and the main Derby lead-up before 2005) moving to Ellerslie and taking the February date.
Since 2015 the Championship Stakes has been held in April.
The race has been sponsored by:
It is currently raced on the same date as the Easter Handicap.