The Great Northern Derby was a set-weights thoroughbred horse race for three-year-old horses run over a distance of 2400 m at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, New Zealand.

The inaugural running of the Derby was in May 1875, when racing was held at Ellerslie Racecourse for the first time.

Just three horses took part, of which one was withdrawn before the start and another failed to complete the course, leaving Toi to finish the race and become the first Derby winner.

Only a small number of fillies, including the great Desert Gold, have ever won the Derby against the male horses.

Many of New Zealand's most famous racehorses feature on the Derby winners' list, including Kindergarten, Desert Gold, Mainbrace and Gloaming.