| Class | Prestige jumping |
|---|---|
| Location | Ellerslie Racecourse Auckland, New Zealand |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Jump Racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 4190m/4200m |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Open |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | NZ$125,000 |
The Great Northern Hurdles is one of New Zealand's feature jumping races.
In June 1971 Brian (Baggy) Hillis rode Brockton to win both the Great Northern Hurdles and the Great Northern Steeplechase.
In June 2001 Smart Hunter, trained by Anne Browne, won the Great Northern Hurdles on the Saturday and on the Monday dead-heated the Great Northern Steeplechase with the Kevin O'Connor trained Sir Avion, who was ridden by Wayne Hillis, the son of Brian Hillis. Smart Hunter's rider, Michelle Hopkins became the first woman to win the Great Northern Hurdles and the jumps double. [1] [2]
From 2002 until 2024 the Great Northern Hurdles was raced on the same day as the Great Northern Steeplechase. In 2005 both races were moved from June to September.
For most of its life the race was run over 4190m at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland. However, the race was moved to Te Aroha in:
The 2020 race was held on October 17.
The race is no longer held at Ellerslie after the Auckland Racing Club sold land for housing development. [3] From 2022 the race has been held at Te Rapa over 4200m.
In 2025 a "Great Northern" carnival was scheduled with the Hurdles and Steeplechase to be raced at Te Aroha on separate days again. [4]
| Year | Winner | Jockey | Trainer(s) | Sire | Dam | Damsire | Time | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 (Te Rapa) [5] | Lord Spencer 66 | Lemmy Douglas (A) | J J Rayner, Wanganui | Zed | La Vilente (NZ) | Al Akbar (Aus) | 5:03.92 | Mount Ventoux 66 | Taika 66 |
| 2023 (Te Rapa) [6] | Nedwin 71.5 | Aaron Kuru | Paul Nelson & Corrina McDougal | Niagara | Edwina | Don Eduardo | 4:53.21 | Tahuroa Height 66 | Ima Wonder 66 |
| 2022 (Te Rapa) [7] | Abu Dhabi 65 [8] [9] | Hamish McNeill | Shaun & Emma Clotworthy | Haradasun (Aus) | Tunzi | McGinty | 5:08.67 | Kajino 68.5 | Banks Road 65 |
| 2021 (Te Aroha) [10] [11] | The Cossack 70.5 [12] | Shaun Phelan | Paul Nelson & Corrina McDougal | Mastercraftsman (Ire) | Stellardelmar | Galileo (Ire) | 4:51.91 | Dr Hank 65 | Aigne 66.5 |
| 2020 (Ellerslie) [13] | The Cossack 65 [14] | Aaron Kuru | Paul Nelson & Corrina McDougal | Mastercraftsman (Ire) | Stellardelmar | Galileo (Ire) | 5:11.09 | Lake Superior 65 | Aigne 69 |
| 2019 (Ellerslie) [15] | Bad Boy Brown 65.5 [16] | Isaac Lupton | Harvey Wilson | St Reims | Pay 'N' Display | Centaine (Aus) | 5:27.73 | Laekeeper 68.5 | No Tip 67 |
| 2018 (Te Aroha) [17] | Jackfrost 67.5 [18] [19] | Buddy Lammas | Brian & Shane Anderton | Gallant Guru (Aus) | Vital Note | Yamanin Vital | 5:05.53 | Second Innings 65 | Laekeeper 66 |
| 2017 (Ellerslie) [20] | Zedeedudadeeko 65.5 [21] | Charlie Stubbs | James Phillips | Zed | Cheeko Beeko | Straussbrook (Aus) | 6:12.45 | Storming Norman 65 | Kipkeino 67 |
| 2016 [22] | D'Llaro 65 | Brad McLean | Graeme Lord | D'Cash (Aus) | Random Quest | Random Chance | 4:45.44 | Raisafuasho 65 | Ngatiro Gold 65 |
| 2015 [23] | Gagarin 66.5 | Mathew Gillies | Kevin Myers | Pentire (GB) | Flying Chance | Centaine (Aus) | 5:43.59 | Mahanadi 65.5 | Wee Biskit 68.5 |
| 2014 [24] | Wee Biskit 65 | Isaac Lupton | Ken Duncan | Zed | Nancy Hope | Lord Ballina (Aus) | 5:35.38 | Gagarin 65 | Real Treasure 65.5 |
| 2013 [25] | Harvest The Gold 68.5 | Kayla Veenendaal | Mark Oulaghan | Start South (USA) | Ballinda | Lord Ballina (Aus) | 4:52.18 | King's Deep 66.5 | Arose 66 |
| 2012 [26] | Waitoki Ahi 65.5 | Shelley Houston | Kevin Cullen | Generous (Ire) | My Fair Star | Waikiki Star (USA) | 4:59.36 | Southern Countess 69.5 | Waitaha Toa 67.5 |
| 2011 [27] | Southern Countess 65 | Mathew Gillies | Peter Brosnan | Stark South (USA) | Marji's Countess | Peymour (Fra) | 5:14.68 | Seeking The Silver 64 | Solid Steal 66 |
| 2010 [28] | Mount Sinai 63 | Shelley Houston | Ann Browne | Kilimanjaro (GB) | Kessem's Jewel | Kessem | 5:22.61 | Solid Steal | Southern Countess |
| 2009 [29] | Kidunot 64.5 | Daniel Bothamley | Ellis Winsloe | Gaius (Ire) | Red Alarm | Alarm Call (GB) | 4:47.86 | Ho Down 63 | Western Line 63 |
| 2008 [30] | Montezuma 63 | Tom Hazlett | Peter & Casey Lock | Generous (Ire) | Classic Shot | Zabeel | 5:08.41 | The Shoe 63 | Mario 64.5 |
| 2007 [31] | Just Not Cricket 66 | Jonathan Riddell | Paul Nelson | Corrupt (USA) | Koru | Diplomatic Agent (USA) | 5:02.50 | Pasco 63 | Counter Punch 66 |
| 2006 [32] | Just Not Cricket 63.5 | Jonathan Riddell | Paul Nelson | Corrupt (USA) | Koru | Diplomatic Agent (USA) | 5:03.26 | Yourtheman 63.5 | Poacher 63 |
The following are previous winning horses, weight carried and jockeys. [33]