Grand National Steeplechase (New Zealand)

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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$150,000 (2023)

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

History[edit]

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-mile (now 5,600m) journey, 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 which has been run at Riccarton ever since.[1]

Ken Browne has ridden the race winner four times, in 1978, 1981, 1985 and 1986. Shaun Phelan has also won the race four times: in 2014, 2017, 2019 and 2021.[2]

Women jockeys to have won the race are:

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

Recent results[edit]

Year
 Winner
 Breeding
 Jockey
 Trainer(s)
 Time
 Second
 Third
2023[3] West Coast Metre En Jeu (NZ) - Testament (NZ), by Grosvenor Shaun Fannin Mark Oulaghan, Awapuni[4] 7:10.38 (heavy) Prince Turbo Carnaby
2022[5] West Coast Metre En Jeu (NZ) - Testament (NZ), by Grosvenor Shaun Fannin Mark Oulaghan, Awapuni 7:26.21 (heavy) Carnaby Tittletattle
2021[6] Tallyho Twinkletoe St Reims (NZ) - Albacora (NZ), by Lord Ballina (Aus) Shaun Phelan Kevin Myers, Wanganui 7.39.32 (heavy) Mandalay Shamal
2020 not held
2019[7] It's A Wonder[8] Istidaad (USA) - Princess Julie (NZ), by Prince Ferdinand (GB) Shaun Phelan Harvey Wilson 7:25.90 (heavy) Gargarin Mr Enthusiastic
2018[9] Shamal Zabeel (NZ) - Mistrale (NZ), by Volksraad (GB) Buddy Lammas[10] Ken Duncan 7:01.05 (heavy) Tai Ho Chocolate Fish

Previous winners[edit]

[11]

  • 2017 Upper Cut (ridden by Shaun Phelan)[12]
  • 2016 Upper Cut (Paul Hamblin)[13]
  • 2015 High Forty (Michael Mitchell)[14]
  • 2014 Eric The Viking (Shaun Phelan)[15]
  • 2013 El Patron (Matthew Cropp)[16]
  • 2012 Cape Kinaveral (Cody Singer)[17]
  • 2011 Counter Punch (Isaac Lupton)[18]
  • 2010 Counter Punch (Isaac Lupton)[19]
  • 2009 Bennyosler (Richard Eynon)[20]
  • 2008 Just A Swagger (Brett Scott)[21]
  • 2007 Gauchito Bastado (Isaac Lupton)[22]
  • 2006 Bogeyman (Tom Hazlett)[23]
  • 2005 No Hero (Jonathan Riddell)[24]
  • 2004 Mr Easystreet (Clayton Chipperfield)[25]
  • 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 (A M J Cowan)
  • 1997 Deecee Seven (M B 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 (N F Ridley)
  • 1990 Thorley (G J Lord)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  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. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL MOTOR LODGE 148TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 12 AUG 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  4. ^ "Trainer makes mark in jumps". NZ Herald. May 25, 2024.
  5. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 147TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 13 AUG 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  6. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 146TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 14 AUG 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  7. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 145TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 10 AUG 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  8. ^ "Racing: Waverley's It's A Wonder wins Grand National Steeplechase". NZ Herald. May 25, 2024.
  9. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 144TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 11 AUG 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  10. ^ "Grand National won by a whisker". NZ Herald. May 25, 2024.
  11. ^ Costello, John and Finnegan, Pat (1988). Tapestry of Turf. Moa Publications.
  12. ^ "Race 7 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 143RD GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 12 AUG 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  13. ^ "Race 7 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 142ND GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 13 AUG 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  14. ^ "Race 7 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 141ST GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 8 AUG 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  15. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 140TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 9 AUG 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  16. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 139TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 10 AUG 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  17. ^ "Race 6 RACECOURSE HOTEL & MOTOR LODGE 138TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 11 AUG 2012 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  18. ^ "Race 7 FMG 137TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 13 AUG 2011 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  19. ^ "Race 7 FMG 136TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 14 AUG 2010 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  20. ^ "Race 7 FMG 135TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 8 AUG 2009 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  21. ^ "Race 7 PGG WRIGHTSON 134TH GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 9 AUG 2008 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  22. ^ "Race 6 PGG WRIGHTSON 133RD GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 11 AUG 2007 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  23. ^ "Race 8 PGG WRIGHTSON 132ND GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP at RICCARTON PARK - CANTERBURY JC on 12 AUG 2006 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  24. ^ "No Hero (NZ) 1996 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  25. ^ "Racing: Rider ups work rate to be on Easystreet and eat a bit". NZ Herald. May 25, 2024.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grand_National_Steeplechase_(New_Zealand)&oldid=1225698453"