Horse race
The New Zealand Pacing Free For All is a major New Zealand harness race . It is notable as it is a Group One championship sprint race and has been won by nearly every champion pacer in New Zealand.
History of the race
Horses which have won the Free-for-all include hall of famers and champions who later shone in the United States and Canada like Cardigan Bay and Caduceus . The latter who won the Free For All three times. The race has also been won three times by Robalan , Harold Logan , Lordship and Author Dillon. Between 1942 and 1948 the race was renamed the New Zealand Pacing Sprint Championship.[ 1]
The race is contested at Addington Raceway on the Canterbury Anniversary public holiday and Canterbury A&P Show day on the Friday of "Cup week" in mid-November. With the New Zealand Trotting Cup run on the Tuesday of that week, the Free For All attracts most of the same horses as the Cup, and is often won in the same year by the same horse. There is also the New Zealand Cup for gallopers and a number of other premier races for the harness, thoroughbred and greyhound racing codes that week.
Distance
Unlike the New Zealand Cup it is run from a mobile, rather than standing, start. From 1914 to 1972 the event was generally over 1+ 1 ⁄4 miles or from 1973 onwards 2000 m, although from 1920 to 1927 it was a mile only. The 1962 race won by Lordship is recorded by HRNZ to have been over 9+ 1 ⁄2 furlongs. The 2008 race was won in record time (1.54-mile rate for 2000 m) by Auckland Reactor . For 2012 and 2013 the race was contested over 1 mile (1609 m), meaning the race will start on a bend. It was subsequently changed to 1950 m for 2013 to 2017 and has been over 1980 m for 2018 onwards.
Stake money
The total stake money for the race was:
$203,500 (2022)
$165,600 (2020)
$240,000 (2015)
$200,000 (2010)
$300,000 (2008)
$100,000 (2000)
$85,000 (1990)
$18,000 (1980)
$4,500 (1970)
Records
Most wins:
3 - Author Dillon (1918, 1919, 1920)
3 - Caduceus (1956, 1958, 1959)
3 - Harold Logan (1931, 1934, 1936)
3 - Lordship (1962, 1964, 1967)
3 - Robalan (1972, 1973, 1974) Most wins by a driver :
8 - Tony Herlihy (1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1997, 2006, 2012, 2023)
7 - Mark Purdon (1988, 1995, 2001, 2003, 2008, 2016, 2022)
5 - Denis Nyhan (1962, 1964, 1972, 1973, 1974)
4 - Maurice Holmes (1934, 1952, 1957, 1965)
4 - Natalie Rasmussen (2017, 2018, 2020, 2021)
Results
Year
Horse
Owner(s)
Driver
Time
Second
Third
2024
Merlin[ 2] [ 3]
Montana Park Pty Ltd
Zachary Butcher
2:25.3 (1980m)
Better Eclipse
Catch A Wave
2023[ 4]
Self Assured [ 5] [ 6] Mrs Jean Feiss
Tony Herlihy [ 7] 2:23.70 (1980m)
Akuta
Beach Ball
2022
Self Assured Mrs Jean Feiss
Mark Purdon 2:21.90 (1980m)
Majestic Cruiser
Old Town Road
2021
South Coast Arden
Mrs GJ Kennard, P I Kennard, Breckon Racing Syndicate, G A Woodham, Mrs K J Woodham, JA Gibbs MNZM, Mrs A Gibbs
Natalie Rasmussen 2:17.00 (1980m)
Self Assured Krug
2020
Spankem
Mrs GJ Kennard, P I Kennard, Breckon Racing Syndicate, JA Gibbs MNZM, Mrs A Gibbs, G A Woodham, Mrs K J Woodham
Natalie Rasmussen 2:19.20 (1980m)
Thefixer
Ashley Locaz
2019
Chase Auckland
Alabar Racing Syndicate
Tim Williams
2:20.6 (1980m)
Classie Brigade
Cruz Bromac
2018
Cruz Bromac
D Zavitsanos, Mrs J Zavitsanos, P M O'Shea, Mrs Z D O'Shea, W R Viney
Natalie Rasmussen 2:18.5 (1980m)
Turn It Up
Jack's Legend
2017
Ultimate Machete
Mrs GJ Kennard, P I Kennard, G R Douglas, K J Riseley, P J Creighton, Mrs M C Creighton
Natalie Rasmussen 2:15.7 (1950m)
Tiger Tara Jack's Legend
2016
Lazarus *Mrs G J Kennard, P I Kennard, T G Casey, K Riseley
Mark Purdon 2:16.3 (1950m)
Christen Me
Tiger Tara
2015
Tiger Tara R L Sandford, Mrs J A Sandford, J S Gould, G R Dunn
Gerard O'Reilly
2:18.9 (1950m)
Mossdale Conner
Messini
2014
Christen Me C J Roberts, V L Purdon
Dexter Dunn 2:18.4 (1950m)
Adore Me
Franco Nelson
2013
Pembrook Benny
B Purdon, T F Henderson, J C Higgins, K G Parry, D H Sixton, J B Hart
Zachary Butcher
1:54.3 (1609m)
Easy On The Eye
Caribbean Blaster
2012
Gold Ace Mrs W A Purdon, D G Moore, M Ng, D D Syndicate
Tony Herlihy 1:52.6 (1609m)
Pure Power
Terror to Love
2011
Smoken Up A P Kay, P G Gadsby, A B Bonney, M J Van Rens, R J Kay, V MacDonald & L D Locastro
Lance Justice
2:25.3 (2000m)
Franco Emirate
Pembrook Benny
2010
Monkey King *Cavalla Bloodstock Ltd
Ricky May
2:23.7 (2000m)
Bondy
Smoken Up
2009
Monkey King *Cavalla Bloodstock Ltd
Ricky May
2:22.4 (2000m)
Nearea Franco
Changeover
2008
Auckland Reactor Auckland Reactor Ltd
Mark Purdon 2:21.8 (2000m)
Awesome Armbro
Changeover
2007
Waipawa Lad
R K Bennett, F C Bennett
Mark Jones
2:22.0 (2000m)
Baileys Dream
Classic Cullen
2006
Sly Flyin
G W Brodie
Tony Herlihy 2:25.0 (2000m)
Flashing Red Waipawa Lad
2005
Howard Bromac
Michelle Larsen, Mrs L Philpott, D Hardie
Kirk Larsen
2:23.3 (2000m)
London Legend
Just An Excuse
2004
Just An Excuse *O Haines, Mrs I K Haines
Todd Mitchell
2:24.9 (2000m)
Mister D G
Jagged Account
2003
Jack Cade
J H Seaton, Mark Purdon
Mark Purdon 2:24.9 (2000m)
Jagged Account
Elsu
2002
Yulestar Mrs Lorraine Nolan & Ron Nolan
Peter Jones
2:22.9 (2000m)
Young Rufus Stars And Stripes
2001
Young Rufus H Manolitsis, V, T & W Lynch, G J Carey, K R Hyslop
Mark Purdon 2:25.8 (2000m)
Kym's Girl
Makati Galahad
2000
Agua Caliente
Est D S & Mrs D E J Short/Mrs D E Woods/Miss S M Short
Glen Wolfenden
2:24.7 (2000m)
Yulestar Zyuganov Leis
1999
Holmes D G Second Five Syndicate
Barry Purdon
2:28.6 (2000m)
Yulestar All Our Fella
1998
Christian Cullen *I D & D A Dobson, B A O'Meara
Danny Campbell
2:26.0 (2000m)
Holmes D G Happy Asset
1997
Brabham
Runvs Syndicate
Tony Herlihy 2:25.3 (2000m)
Iraklis
Silk Brocade
1996
Iraklis
R M Cameron, Kypros Kotzikas
Ricky May
2:24.4 (2000m)
Brabham
Whale Of A Tale [ 8]
1995
Il Vicolo *J H Seaton, Mark Purdon
Mark Purdon 2:25.1 (2000m)
Brabham
Lento
1994
Bee Bee Cee *
C J Calvert, Mrs J M Calvert
Jim Curtin
2:26.6 (2000m)
Master Musician
Lento
1993
Chokin *Pacers Australia/M Joyce/J Loughnan/B De Boer
Tony Herlihy 2:25.9 (2000m)
Master Musician
Christopher Vance
1992
Blossom Lady *Polly Syndicate
Anthony Butt 2:25.5 (2000m)
Sogo
Christopher Vance
1991
Christopher Vance *R R Reid, Lorna Reid Synd., Mrs J C Reid
Tony Herlihy 2:26.8 (2000m)
The Bru Czar
Surmo Way
1990
Tight Connection
R Ellis/R Weavers/Horseplayers Syn/Club Connection Syn
Tony Herlihy 2:26.0 (2000m)
Reba Lord
Bold Sharvid
1989
Dillon Dean
D P Dwyer, Mrs H M C Burley
Colin De Filippi
2:27.3 (2000m)
Bold Sharvid
Inky Lord
1988
Tax Credit
C J Harvey, Mrs P A Harvey
Mark Purdon 2:25.7 (2000m)
Luxury Liner
Speedy Chaval
1987
Luxury Liner
R R Reid, Est L F Reid, Mrs J C Reid
Tony Herlihy 2:26.3 (2000m)
Lightning Blue
Frangelico
1986
Master Mood *
K L Williams, Mrs B A Williams, S F Wong, F B Wong
Kevin Williams
2:28.1 (2000m)
Our Mana
Borana
1985
Preux Chevalier K J Lavin, Mrs W M Lavin
Barry Perkins
2:25.7 (2000m)
Camelot
Premiership
1984
Dillon Dale
K C Burley
D P E Dwyer
2:28.1 (2000m)
Enterprise
Our Mana
1983
Camelot
D H G Crofts
R D Butt
2:27.2 (2000m)
Hands Down
Stortford Lodge
1982
Bonnie's Chance Mrs K A Grice & Mrs V B McGarry
Richard J Brosnan
2:28.5 (2000m)
Armalight
Hands Down
1981
Armalight *
H B Smith
R H Negus
2:23.5 (2000m)
Bonnie's Chance Superior Chance
1980
Hands Down *
W H & Mrs M F McAughtrie
Peter Jones
2:29.3 (2000m)
Lord Module Philippa Frost
1979
Lord Module *Cecil Devine Cecil Devine 2:26.7 (2000m)
Trevira
Trusty Scot
1978
Trusty Scot *
A M & J H Hunter
J H Hunter
2:29.1 (2000m)
Belmer's Image
Lord Module
1977
Balgove
W H & J P Roberts
R M Cameron
2:28.9 (2000m)
Greg Robinson
Stanley Rio
1976
Master Dean
N W Borlase
M R De Filippi
2:30.3 (2000m)
Final Curtain
Forto Prontezza
1975
Lunar Chance
K N Lawlor
K N Lawlor
2:28.2 (2000m)
Final Decision
Why Bill
1974
Robalan *A T Devery, P N Hope & D D Nyhan
Denis Nyhan 2:26.6 (2000m)
Hi Foyle
Young Quinn
1973
Robalan A T Devery, P N Hope & D D Nyhan
Denis Nyhan 2:34.4 (2000m)
Arapaho
Bomber Bill
1972
Robalan A T Devery, P N Hope & D D Nyhan
Denis Nyhan 2:33.6
Globe Bay
Scottish Charm
1971
Bay Foyle
N R Johnstone
C J Parsons
2:34.4
Intrepid
Royal Trump
1970
Stella Frost
L H Tilson
Doody Townley 2:36
Radiant Globe
James
1968
Great Adios
Mrs P M Norton
B J Anderson
2:36.4
Allakasam
Humprey
1967
Lordship Mrs Doris Nyhan
D G Nyhan
2:40.4
Allakasam
Indecision
1966
Waitaki Hanover
Mrs J & F Smith
Doody Townley 2:35
Lordship
Full Sovereign
1965
Robin Dundee
J W Hewitt
M F Holmes 2:37
Peerswick
Orbiter
1964
Lordship Mrs D G Nyhan
Denis Nyhan 2:34.6
Orbiter
Jay Ar
1963
Cardigan Bay *Mrs A D Dean
P T Wolfenden 2:34.6
Sun Chief
Vanderford
1962
Lordship *Mrs Doris Nyhan
Denis Nyhan 2:27.6
Cardigan Bay Jay Ar
1961
Cardigan Bay Mrs A D Dean
P T Wolfenden 2:39
Scottish Command
Smokeaway
1960
False Step *J Smyth
Cecil Devine 2:35.2
Lookaway
Thunder
1959
Caduceus D D & D R Moore
J D Litten
2:36
Gentry
False Step
1958
Caduceus D D & D R Moore
J D Litten
2:34.8
Gentry
Tactician
1957
Lookaway *
C L Rhodes
M F Holmes 2:35.8
Tactician
Suzendry
1956
Caduceus D D & D R Moore
J D Litten
2:39.4
Johnny Globe
Thelma Globe
1955
Tactician
M C McTigue
M C McTigue
2:36.8
Johnny Globe
Our Roger
1954
Johnny Globe *D G Nyhan
D G Nyhan
2:33.6
Ribands
Laureldale
1953
Johnny Globe D G Nyhan
D G Nyhan
2:35.4
Adorian
Vedette
1952
Vedette
C Johnston & M Jenkins
M F Holmes 2:41.8
Soangetaha
Maori Home
1951
Maori Home
B Rushton & J W Duncan
W P Ireland
2:39.8
Maida Dillon
Soangetaha
1950
Parawa Derby
L T Padget
J B Pringle
2:38
Congo Song
Gay Knight
1949
Single Direct
Mrs M R & Bruce Elliott
E N Kennerley
2:37.2
Captain Gaillard
Knave Of Diamonds
1948
Highland Fling *A T Kemble
L F Berkett
2:37.4
Single Direct
Integrity
1947
Sir Michael
C Tasker
R Young
2:39
Turco
Great Belwin
1946
Haughty (Dead-Heat)
B Grice
G McKendry
2:41.4
Josedale Grattan
1946
Turco (Dead-Heat)
A V Prenderville & J X Ferguson
G S Smith
2:41.4
1945
Happy Man
J C South
C King
2:36.4
Gold Bar
Haughty
1944
Pacing Power
G Lancaster
R B Berry
2:38.4
Loyal Friend
Dusky Sound
1943
Springfield Globe
R B Berry
R B Berry
2:39
Fine Art
Gold Bar
1942
Gold Bar
A B Holmes
D C Watts
2:35
Haughty
Josedale Grattan
1941
Josedale Grattan *
Dr M G Pezaro & E G Bridgens
F J Smith
2:42.2
Nelson Eddy
Lightning lady
1940
Plutus
W J Gudsell
J Bryce jnr
2:46.6
Lightning lady
Great Jewel
1939
Icevus
H Rudd
R Young
2:41.8
Gallant Knight
Pot Luck
1938
Logan Derby
H Barnes
J A Stamford
2:39.4
Parisienne
Pot Luck
1937
Supertax
D Rodgers
G Mouritz
2:40
Roi L'or
Lucky Jack
1936
Harold Logan E F C Hinds
R Townley jnr
2:39
Tempest
Red Shadow
1935
Indianapolis *G J Barton
J Fraser jnr
2:39.4
Tempest
Roi L'or
1934
Harold Logan E F C Hinds
M F Holmes 2:38.4
Roi L'or
Tempest
1933
Red Shadow
Mrs M Harrall
J Bryce
2:41.4
Kingcraft
Harold Logan
1932
Roi L'Or
P Brown
F Holmes 2:38.2
Harold Logan
Gold Country
1931
Harold Logan *Miss E Hinds
R J Humphreys
2:40
Peter Bingen
Free Advice
1930
King Pointer
W McDonald
O E Hooper
2:39.8
Carmel
Wrackler
1929
Padlock
J A Mitchell
W Hughes
2:42.6
Peter Bingen
Logan Park
1928
Peter Bingen *
J J Kennerley
J J Kennerley
2:38.8
Prince Pointer
Jewel Pointer
1927
Native Chief
J Duffy
F G Holmes
2:11.2 (1 mile)
Peter Bingen
Bell Harold
1926
Great Bingen
J R McKenzie
D Withers
2:09 (1 mile)
Native Chief
Logan Chief
1925
Acron
J R McKenzie
A Butterfield
2:04.6 (1 mile)
Great Bingen
Machine Brick
1924
Acron
J R McKenzie
A Butterfield
2:03.6 (1 mile)
Realm
Logan Chief
1923
Logan Chief
J Duffy
J J Kennerley
2:07.6 (1 mile)
Great Hope
Happy Voyage
1922
Trix Pointer
W H Norton
F Holmes 2:09.4 (1 mile)
Onyx
Tatsy Dillon
1921
Albert Cling
M J Hannon
J McLennan
2:09.6 (1 mile)
Trix Pointer
Willie Lincoln
1920
Author Dillon Executors J Knight
B Jarden
2:11.6 (1 mile)
Trix Pointer
Matchlight
1919
Author Dillon Executors J Knight
B Jarden
2:44.4
Cathedral Times
Admiral Wood
1918
Author Dillon *B Jarden
B Jarden
2:45.8
Adelaide Direct
Cathedral Times
1917
Cathedral Chimes
J Bryce
J Bryce
2:42.6
Author Dillon
Adelaide Direct
1916
Admiral Wood
Mrs A M Seymour
J Bryce
2:45
Cathedral Times
Tommy
1915
Our Thorpe
J Fleming
A Fleming
2:41.4
Country belle
Emmeline
1914
Eccentric
R T Reid
J Brankin
2:48.8
Emmeline
King Cole
Source: Full details of each year's race are contained on the Harness Racing New Zealand website[ 9]
See also
References
