Grand National Steeplechase (New Zealand)

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Grand National Steeplechase (New Zealand)
Prestige jumping race
Location Riccarton Park Racecourse, Christchurch, New Zealand
Race type Thoroughbred - Jump Racing
Race information
Distance5600 m
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationOpen
WeightHandicap
Purse NZ$150,000 (2023)

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

Contents

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:

Women jockeys to have won the race are:

The most successful horse is The Agent, who won the race three times (1879, 1880 and 1884). [4]

Recent results

Year
Winner
Breeding
Jockey
Trainer(s)
Time
Second
Third
2023 [5] West CoastMetre En Jeu (NZ) - Testament (NZ), by GrosvenorShaun FanninMark Oulaghan, Awapuni [6] 7:10.38 (heavy)Prince TurboCarnaby
2022 [7] West CoastMetre En Jeu (NZ) - Testament (NZ), by GrosvenorShaun FanninMark Oulaghan, Awapuni7:26.21 (heavy)CarnabyTittletattle
2021 [8] Tallyho Twinkletoe St Reims (NZ) - Albacora (NZ), by Lord Ballina (Aus)Shaun PhelanKevin Myers, Wanganui7.39.32 (heavy)MandalayShamal
2020not held
2019 [9] It's A Wonder [10] Istidaad (USA) - Princess Julie (NZ), by Prince Ferdinand (GB)Shaun Phelan Harvey Wilson 7:25.90 (heavy)GargarinMr Enthusiastic
2018 [11] Shamal Zabeel (NZ) - Mistrale (NZ), by Volksraad (GB)Buddy Lammas [12] Ken Duncan7:01.05 (heavy)Tai HoChocolate Fish

Previous winners

[13]

See also

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