Grand National Steeplechase (New Zealand)

Grand National Steeplechase (New Zealand)
Prestige jumping race
LocationRiccarton Park Racecourse, Christchurch, New Zealand
Race typeThoroughbred - Jump Racing
Race information
Distance5600 m
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationOpen
WeightHandicap
PurseNZ$100,000 (2024)

The Great National Steeplechase held at Riccarton Park Racecourse is one of New Zealand's major steeplechase jumping races.

History

The Grand National Steeplechase has been held on 148 occasions to date. The Grand National was first run in 1875 in Willowbridge, near Waimate in South Canterbury, over 4 miles. Since 1891 the horses have competed over a three and a half mile journey (now 5600m), making it one of New Zealand's longest horse races and it is run in winter when the grass tracks are soft or heavy. The race is therefore a great test of stamina and fitness for both horse and rider.

Initially the race was run alternately in South Canterbury, North Otago and North Canterbury. In 1884 Christchurch became the permanent venue and in 1888 it was arranged that the Canterbury Jockey Club should run the Grand National Steeplechase and it has been held at Riccarton ever since.[1]

Jockeys to have won the race four times are:

  • Ken Browne in 1978 (Regal Mink), 1981 (Charlestown), 1985 and 1986 (Crown Star).
  • Shaun Phelan in 2014, 2017, 2019 and 2021.[2]

Women jockeys to have won the race are:

  • 1994 Debbie Henderson[3]
  • 1995 Leanne Elliot
  • 1999 Megan Prendergast
  • 2000 Rochelle Lockett

The most successful horses are the three-time winners:

  • Agent (1879, 1880 and 1884)[4]
  • West Coast (2022, 2023 and 2024).

Recent results

Year
 Winner
 Breeding
 Jockey
 Trainer(s)
 Time
 Second
 Third
2024[5] West Coast 73[6][7] Metre En Jeu (NZ) - Testament (NZ), by Grosvenor Shaun Fannin Mark Oulaghan, Awapuni 7:10.88 (heavy) Auld Jock 66 Captains Run 66
2023[8] West Coast 72 Metre En Jeu (NZ) - Testament (NZ), by Grosvenor Shaun Fannin Mark Oulaghan, Awapuni[9] 7:10.38 (heavy) Prince Turbo 66 Carnaby 66
2022[10] West Coast 65 Metre En Jeu (NZ) - Testament (NZ), by Grosvenor Shaun Fannin Mark Oulaghan, Awapuni 7:26.21 (heavy) Carnaby 67.5 Tittletattle 68
2021[11] Tallyho Twinkletoe 70 St Reims (NZ) - Albacora (NZ), by Lord Ballina (Aus) Shaun Phelan Kevin Myers, Wanganui 7.39.32 (heavy) Mandalay 65 Shamal 68
2020 not held
2019[12] It's A Wonder 65[13] Istidaad (USA) - Princess Julie (NZ), by Prince Ferdinand (GB) Shaun Phelan Harvey Wilson 7:25.90 (heavy) Gargarin 68 Mr Enthusiastic 65
2018[14] Shamal 65 Zabeel (NZ) - Mistrale (NZ), by Volksraad (GB) Buddy Lammas[15] Ken Duncan 7:01.05 (heavy) Tai Ho 65 Chocolate Fish 65

Previous winners

[16]

  • 2017 Upper Cut (ridden by Shaun Phelan)[17]
  • 2016 Upper Cut (Paul Hamblin)[18]
  • 2015 High Forty (Michael Mitchell)[19]
  • 2014 Eric The Viking (Shaun Phelan)[20]
  • 2013 El Patron (Matthew Cropp)[21]
  • 2012 Cape Kinaveral (Cody Singer)[22]
  • 2011 Counter Punch (Isaac Lupton)[23]
  • 2010 Counter Punch (Isaac Lupton)[24]
  • 2009 Bennyosler (Richard Eynon)[25]
  • 2008 Just A Swagger (Brett Scott)[26]
  • 2007 Gauchito Bastado (Isaac Lupton)[27]
  • 2006 Bogeyman (Tom Hazlett)[28]
  • 2005 No Hero (Jonathan Riddell)[29]
  • 2004 Mr Easystreet (Clayton Chipperfield)[30]
  • 2003 Cuchlainn (Finbar Leahy)
  • 2002 Eric The Bee (Jonathan Riddell)
  • 2001 Bodle (Jonathan Riddell)
  • 2000 Currency (Rochelle Lockett)
  • 1999 Black Rhythm (Megan Prendergast)
  • 1998 Deecee Seven (Alex “Snooky” Cowan)
  • 1997 Deecee Seven (M Brett Scott)
  • 1996 Just Jojo (C M Northcott)
  • 1995 Just Red (Leanne Elliot)
  • 1994 Noble Express (Debbie Henderson)
  • 1993 Fox Hunt (W P Hillis)
  • 1992 Lismore Lad (P S Hillis)
  • 1991 Nearco Bay (Neil F Ridley)
  • 1990 Thorley (G J Lord)
  • 1989 Boomalong (Stephen Stacey)
  • 1988 Lord Venture (Shane C Anderton)
  • 1987 Region (Eddie Lamb)
  • 1986 Crown Star (Ken Browne)
  • 1985 Crown Star (Ken Browne)
  • 1984 Bymai (Neil F Ridley)
  • 1983 Royal Kassel (Stephen Jenkins)
  • 1982 Grey Warbler (Dennis Gray)
  • 1981 Charlestown (Ken Browne)
  • 1980 Thumbs Orf (Stephen Jenkins)
  • 1979 Guess Who (Michael Gillies)
  • 1978 Regal Mink (Ken Browne)
  • 1977 Chumson (Michael Gillies)
  • 1976 Thun (Michael Gillies)
  • 1975 Fumbler (B R Tims)
  • 1974 Mess Time (Ray Jenkins)
  • 1973 Loch Linnhe (G A Walters)
  • 1972 Enceeoh (Alex “Acka” Cowan)
  • 1971 Robert Earl (G A Walters)
  • 1970 Spray Doone (C R Lewis)
  • 1969 Robert Earl (Peter R Wilson)
  • 1968 Teak (P R Whiteman)
  • 1967 Linred (Neil Treweek)
  • 1966 Game Call (Alex “Acka” Cowan)
  • 1965 Koral (W J “Bill” Hillis)
  • 1964 John O’Groats (W J “Bill” Hillis)
  • 1963 No Offence (B J Langford)
  • 1962 Golden Defaulter (J H Hely)
  • 1961 Dusky Prince (Brian L “Baggy” Hillis)
  • 1960 Dusky Prince (Brian L “Baggy” Hillis)
  • 1959 Capet (W J “Bill” Hillis)
  • 1958 Spring Fair (A G Walsh)
  • 1957 Cogitation (J H Hely)
  • 1956 Wotan's Gold (Ray Jenkins)
  • 1955 Treasure Ring (Vern Simpson)
  • 1954 Young Prince (J H Hely)
  • 1953 Duke Royal (J R Gillies)
  • 1952 Fairhome (Gary Jenkins)
  • 1951 Bandmaster (K A Nuttall)
  • 1950 Dawn March (Merv Andrews)
  • 1949 Flying Attack (R D Samson)
  • 1948 Brookby Song (J Chaplin)
  • 1947 Surpeen (Merv Ritchie)
  • 1946 Dumbo (Fred Cleaver)
  • 1945 Master Meruit (A Midwood)
  • 1944 As Required (J Williamson)
  • 1943 Anglo-French (A R “Ray” Beale)
  • 1942 Foxiana (D W Redstone)
  • 1941 Astral Flame (J L Strathem)
  • 1940 Clarion Call (Ashley Jenkins)
  • 1939 Padishah (G G Beatson)
  • 1938 Clarion Call (Ashley Jenkins)
  • 1936 Royal Limond (A R “Ray” Beale)
  • 1935 Valpeen (W J Bowden)
  • 1934 Valpeen (A J Peart)
  • 1933 Thurina (A E “Bert” Ellis)
  • 1932 Billy Boy (D J Burgess)
  • 1931 Snowfall (A E “Bert” Ellis)
  • 1930 Aurora Borealis (Horry Dulieu)
  • 1929 Wiltshire (Roy C Syme)
  • 1928 Wiltshire (Roy C Syme)
  • 1927 Beau Cavalier (Sam Henderson)
  • 1926 Peter Maxwell (R W McTavish)
  • 1925 Tuki (Harry McSweeney)
  • 1924 Sturdee (Ernie Warner)
  • 1923 Oakleigh (J Roach)
  • 1922 Oakleigh (J Roach)
  • 1921 Coalition (Harry McSweeney)
  • 1920 Coalition (Harry McSweeney)
  • 1919 Lochella (Sam Henderson)
  • 1918 St Elmn (R Thompson)
  • 1917 Master Strowan (R McSeveny)
  • 1916 Waimai (E C Rae)
  • 1915 Ngatoa (W Adams)
  • 1914 Tim Doolan (A J McFlinn)
  • 1913 Bercola (Jerry O’Connell)
  • 1912 Captain Jingle (Jerry O’Connell)
  • 1911 Paritutu (R Thompson)
  • 1910 Te Arai (Bill Young)
  • 1909 Nabador (J Hall)
  • 1908 Eurus (W O’Connell)
  • 1907 Eclair (J Hall)
  • 1906 Phaetontis (W Higgins)
  • 1905 Inniskillen (F Howard)
  • 1904 Slow Tom (J McGregor)
  • 1903 Awahuri (J Cameron)
  • 1902 Haydn ( S Fergus)
  • 1901 Gobo (R Arnott)
  • 1900 The Guard (W Naylor)
  • 1899 Blackberry (James Redmond)
  • 1898 Dummy (Percy Johnson)
  • 1897 Levanter (J Rae)
  • 1896 Mutiny (G Hope)
  • 1895 Mutiny (G Hope)
  • 1894 Norton (W C Clarke)
  • 1893 Waterbury (G Hope)
  • 1892 Ahua (W C Clarke)
  • 1891 Freeman (W C Clarke)
  • 1890 Daddy Longlegs (Tommy Lyford)
  • 1889 Chemist (Ellingham)
  • 1888 Mangaohane (Hickey)
  • 1887 Faugh-a-Ballagh (Tommy Lyford)
  • 1886 Canard (H Lunn)
  • 1885 Moody (C Hobbs)
  • 1884 Agent (Tommy Lyford)
  • 1883 Kosciusko (T Sheehan)
  • 1882 Katerfelto (W Clifford)
  • 1881 Clarence (F Hedge)
  • 1880 Agent (H Lunn)
  • 1879 Agent (W Hankins)
  • 1878 Mousetrap (P McKoy)
  • 1877 Fakir (S Osborne)
  • 1876 Royalty (Martelli)
  • 1875 Medora (Dan O’Brien)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Great Horses – 1966 Encyclopaedia of New Zealand – Te Ara".
  2. ^ "Leading jumps jockey Phelan on top of the world". www.racingnews.co.nz. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 2024-05-25.
  3. ^ Stanley, Ashley (May 13, 2021). "Where is she now? Debbie Henderson". Newsroom.
  4. ^ "Racing: History surrounds race". NZ Herald. June 9, 2024.
  5. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 149TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 10 AUG 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  6. ^ https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/racing/racing-west-coast-etches-name-among-greats-with-grand-national-steeplechase-win/L5K24UXHNJALBCNHDJFU3ZEO4E/#:~:text=Grand%20National%20Steeplechase.-,West%20Coast%20wins%20the%20Grand%20National%20Steeplechase.,Motor%20Lodge%20Grand%20National%20Steeplechase.
  7. ^ https://www.racingnews.co.nz/west-coast-wins-his-third-grand-national-steeplechase/
  8. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL MOTOR LODGE 148TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 12 AUG 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  9. ^ "Trainer makes mark in jumps". NZ Herald. May 25, 2024.
  10. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 147TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 13 AUG 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  11. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 146TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 14 AUG 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  12. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 145TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 10 AUG 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  13. ^ "Racing: Waverley's It's A Wonder wins Grand National Steeplechase". NZ Herald. May 25, 2024.
  14. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 144TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 11 AUG 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  15. ^ "Grand National won by a whisker". NZ Herald. May 25, 2024.
  16. ^ Costello, John and Finnegan, Pat (1988). Tapestry of Turf. Moa Publications.
  17. ^ "Race 7 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 143RD GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 12 AUG 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  18. ^ "Race 7 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 142ND GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 13 AUG 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  19. ^ "Race 7 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 141ST GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 8 AUG 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  20. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 140TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 9 AUG 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  21. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 139TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 10 AUG 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  22. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 138TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 11 AUG 2012 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  23. ^ "Race 7 FMG 137TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 13 AUG 2011 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  24. ^ "Race 7 FMG 136TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 14 AUG 2010 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  25. ^ "Race 7 FMG 135TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 8 AUG 2009 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  26. ^ "Race 7 PGG WRIGHTSON 134TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 9 AUG 2008 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  27. ^ "Race 6 PGG WRIGHTSON 133RD GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 11 AUG 2007 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  28. ^ "Race 8 PGG WRIGHTSON 132ND GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 12 AUG 2006 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  29. ^ "No Hero (NZ) 1996 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  30. ^ "Racing: Rider ups work rate to be on Easystreet and eat a bit". NZ Herald. May 25, 2024.