Great Northern Steeplechase

Last updated
Great Northern Steeplechase
Prestige jumping race
Location Ellerslie Racecourse
Auckland, New Zealand
Race type Thoroughbred - Jump Racing
Website www.ellerslie.co.nz
Race information
Distance6400 m
SurfaceTurf
TrackRight-handed
QualificationOpen
WeightHandicap
Purse NZ$125,000

The Great Northern Steeplechase is New Zealand's richest steeplechase jumping race. The race exceeds six kilometres, making it New Zealand's longest horse race, and usually takes over eight minutes to complete. It is one of the great tests of stamina and fitness in thoroughbred racing, for both horse and rider. It is run in winter when the grass tracks are soft or heavy.

Contents

Location and scheduling

For most of its life the race was run over 6,400 metres (21,000 ft) at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland. The contestants cleared 25 jumps during the 6400m race. A notable feature of the race was the Ellerslie Hill, on the eastern side of the steeplechase course, which the horses must climb three times during the race.

The race was called the DB Draught Steeplechase in the 1990s when sponsored by DB Breweries.

The race has been run in early September since 2005, after previously being held in early June. The Great Northern steeplechase is now raced on the same day as the Great Northern Hurdles.

The race was moved to Te Aroha in:

The race is no longer held at Ellerslie after the Auckland Racing Club sold land for housing development. [1] From 2022 the race has been held at Te Rapa.

History

The inaugural race was won by Macaroni, who carried a weight of 12 stone (76 kg). The record weight carried to victory was 12 stone 13 lb (82.5 kg) by Kiatere in 1907. One of the most notable winners of the race was Hunterville, who won the race three times in 1983, 1984 and 1985. Hypnotize also achieved three victories, following wins in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

The fastest winning time was 7:39.35 by Ballycastle in 1978, and the slowest was 9:31.50 by Wise Men Say in 2017. There was a dead-heat in 2001 between Smart Hunter, which had won the Great Northern Hurdles two days earlier, and Sir Avion, which had won the Great Northern Hurdles in 1998. It was the first dead-heat in a major New Zealand jumping race since the Otago Steeplechase in 1918. [2]

Ken and Ann Browne won the Great Northern Steeplechase a record nine times with Ascona (1977 and 1979), Ardri (1990), Brother Bart (1991), Lord Tennyson (1992), Sydney Jones (1995 and 1997), Smart Hunter (2001, dead-heated with Sir Avion) and Wanderlust (2004). [3] After Ken's death, Ann Browne has won the race with Fair King (2009), Ima Heroine (2011) and Tom's Myth (2012).

In 1986 Trudy Thornton was the first woman to ride in a Great Northern Steeplechase. [4] In 1995, Tina Egan was the first woman jockey to win the race.

The 2012 winner, Tom’s Myth, was the first horse to win the Wellington Steeplechase, Pakuranga Hunt Cup and Great Northern in the same season.

Recent results

Year
Winner
Breeding
Jockey
Trainer(s)
Time
Second
Third
2023 (Te Rapa) [5] West Coast 73Mettre En Jeu - TestamentShaun FanninMark Oulaghan8.02.14 (6500m)Captains Run 66The Cossack 73
2022 (Te Rapa) [6] Kiddo 65Istidaad (USA) - Kitty O'ReillyShaun FanninKevin Myers8:18.64 (6500m)Donardo 65The Anarchist 65
2021 (Te Aroha) [7] Te Kahu [8] 65Zacinto (GB) - Midnight OwlMatthew Cropp [9] Dan O'Leary, Marton7:43.24 (6200m)Zartan 65No Tip 65
2020 [10] Magic Wonder 65Eighth Wonder (NZ) - Magic FlightShaun FanninJo Rathbone7:42.47Napoleon 65Shamal 70
2019 [11] Wise Men Say 69Yamanin Vital (NZ) - Vaguely FamousShaun FanninRaymond Connors8:48.79Kings Kite 65Crash Bandicott 66.5
2018 (Te Aroha) [12] Chocolate Fish [13] 65Colombia (NZ) - SaveurShaun PhelanShane Brown8:08.47 (6300m)Perry Mason 65Shamal 68
2017 [14] Wise Men Say [15] 68Yamanin Vital (NZ) - Vaguely FamousIsaac LuptonRaymond Connors9:31.50Upper Cut 70.5Tizza Secret 65
2016 [16] Kick Back 65Bahhare (USA) - Take ThreeShaun FanninKevin Myers8:08.65Almanood Lad 67Zed Case 65
2015 [17] Jack Romanov 65Ustinov (Aus) - ColmerinoRichard CullyMark Brooks8:50.20Snodroptwinkletoes 65Amanood Lad 70
2014 [18] Amanood Lad 67Germano (GB) - Anood DashCraig ThorntonBen Foote9:04.82Tobouggie Nights 68Red Hot 65
2013 [19] Rangatira 65Deputy Governor (USA) - Aggie GreyIsaac LuptonSteve Gulliver8:23.85Kidunot 68Karlos 68
2012 [20] Tom's Myth 68Rainbow Myth (NZ) - Tom's JewelShaun PhelanAnn Browne8:25.07Myths And Legends 67.5Cape Kinaveral 68
2011 [21] Ima Heroine 63.5Heroicity (Aus) - Ima HunterMathew GilliesAnn Browne8:37.55Myths And Legends 63Hypnotize 71.5
2010 [22] Hypnotize 70.5Yamanin Vital (NZ) - Auburn RoseIsaac LuptonRaymond Connors8:45.50Karlos 63Fair King 65.5
2009 [23] Fair King 64.5Kingfisher Mill (USA) - Fair SisterJames GilliesAnn Browne8:02.66Hypnotize 69.5Volkswagin 63
2008 [24] Hypnotize [25] 68.5Yamanin Vital (NZ) - Auburn RoseIsaac LuptonRaymond Connors8:15.71Franconero 63Fair King 64
2007 [26] Hypnotize 65Yamanin Vital (NZ) - Auburn RoseIsaac LuptonRaymond Connors8:24.25Stitched 66The Storytella 63
2006 [27] Real Tonic 66.5Victory Dance (Ire) - BantanBrett Scott John Wheeler 8:50.48I'manace 63Fenman 62
2005Just The Man 62 [28] Isle Of Man (NZ) - Albatross RoadJoanne RathboneDavina Waddell7:41.44The Storytella 63Bart 65
2004Wanderlust 65.5 [29] Globetrotter (NZ) - HaumaMichelle HopkinsAnn & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge8:18.30Aquaria Dancer 62Golden Flare 68
2003Golden Flare 63 [30] Touching Wood (USA) - Golden GlowClayton ChipperfieldRaylene Whiteside8:05.98Cool Conductor 63Royal Ways 65
2002Golden Flare 60 [31] Touching Wood (USA) - Golden GlowClayton ChipperfieldRaylene Whiteside8:06.02Cool Conductor 60Royal Ways 63
2001Smart Hunter 60.5 (Dead-heat) [32] Ivory Hunter (USA) - Jeanne's JestMichelle HopkinsAnn & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge8:21.45-Wickerman 60
2001Sir Avion 60 (Dead-heat) [33] Sir Sian (NZ) - AvionWayne HillisKevin O'Connor8:21.45-" "
2000Royal Ways 63.5 [34] Crossways (GB) - Royal AukJoseph DouglasTony Cole8:23.17Our Jonty 64Fair Brother 64
1999Royal Ways 60 [35] Crossways (GB) - Royal AukJoseph DouglasTony Cole8:09.17Just Red 60Sel Tee 62
1998Our Jonty 64 [36] Random Chance (NZ) - Lal's GiftRaymond ConnorsKevin Myers7:51.25Lost In The Rain 64Kildary King 61
1997Sydney Jones 66.5 [37] Sir Sydney (NZ) - Tua RangiBrett McDonaldAnn & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge8:38.73Flash Hunter 66Our Jonty 61
1996Classic Heights 62 [38] Sir Tristram (Ire) - Catena GoldPaul FitzgeraldTim Douglas8:18.05Just Red 64Joyful Dude 64
1995Sydney Jones 65 [39] Sir Sydney (NZ) - Tua RangiTina EganAnn & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge8:39.16Joyful Dude 65Classic Heights 60
1994Ellivani 64.5 [40] Palm Beach (Fra) - Ina VilleBrian ConstableJohn Twomey7:47.18Bwana 64Propel 62
1993Sir Barton 63.5 [41] Sir Bart (NZ) - ConfrontChad NorthcottMax Northcott8:06.56Bwana 64Red Impact 61
1992Lord Tennyson 60.5 [42] Royal Plume (GB) - NoodeBrett McDonaldAnn & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge8:07.38The Image Maker 60.3Desperino 60.8
1991Brother Bart 60.5 [43] Sir Bart (NZ) - Sister SarahCraig ThorntonAnn & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge8:16.60The Image Maker 59.5Brigadier Puckle 60.8
1990Ardri 59.5 [44] Bally Royal (GB) - AramushaKen BrowneAnn & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge8:33.53Zamarino 60Count Five 64
1989Tumblin’ Down 61 [45] Dodger (NZ) - Maria DallasToby Autridge [46] Michael Moroney8:20.29Yamani 61High Impact 60.3
1988Heddawin 59.3 [47] Head Hunter (GB) - WinaganWayne HillisJohn Bullock8:10.41Vincere 60.5Seeyoulatee 60.5
1987Deductable 59.5 [48] Kirrama (NZ) - Happy ReturnPaul Hillis Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill8:22.40Orca 61.3Seeyoulater 61

Previous winners

[49]

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "$100m worth of land for housing: Six hectares at Auckland Racing Club's Ellerslie to be sold".
  2. ↑ "Historic dead heat in 2001 Great Northern Steeplechase".
  3. ↑ "TRIBUTE: Ken Browne, time-defying NZ jumps legend".
  4. ↑ "Trudy Thornton defying age with strong start". 24 January 2014.
  5. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/52272/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  6. ↑ "Race 7 BEN FOOTE RACING GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at WAIKATO RC on 18 SEP 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  7. ↑ "Race 5 DIPROSE MILLER GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at RACING TE AROHA on 3 OCT 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  8. ↑ "Thrilling finish to Great Northern Steeplechase | NZ Racing News".
  9. ↑ "Cropp keeps it in the family with Great Northern win".
  10. ↑ "Race 6 ARC GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at AUCKLAND RC on 17 OCT 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  11. ↑ "Race 8 NETWORK VISUALS GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at AUCKLAND RC on 7 SEP 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  12. ↑ "Race 7 IRVINES GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at AUCKLAND RC on 9 SEP 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  13. ↑ "Chocolate Fish swims to Great Northern Steeplechase success". 9 September 2018.
  14. ↑ "Race 7 IRVINES GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at AUCKLAND RC on 9 SEP 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  15. ↑ "Sixth Great Northern Steeplechase win - White Robe Lodge".
  16. ↑ "Race 6 MEADOW FRESH GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at AUCKLAND RC on 3 SEP 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  17. ↑ "Race 7 MEADOW FRESH GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at AUCKLAND RC on 5 SEP 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  18. ↑ "Race 8 MEADOW FRESH GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at AUCKLAND RC on 6 SEP 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  19. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/42085/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  20. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/40698/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  21. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/39431/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  22. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/38181/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  23. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/37060/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  24. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/36127/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  25. ↑ "Hypnotize wins Great Northern Steeplechase again > Australia and International Horse Racing news updated daily".
  26. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/35118/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  27. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/33852/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  28. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/205080/Just-The-Man-NZ-1996.aspx#bm-overview
  29. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/166244/Wanderlust-NZ-1992.aspx#bm-overview
  30. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/153032/Golden-Flare-NZ-1991.aspx#bm-overview
  31. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/153032/Golden-Flare-NZ-1991.aspx#bm-overview
  32. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/156034/Smart-Hunter-NZ-1991.aspx#bm-overview
  33. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/164611/Sir-Avion-NZ-1992.aspx#bm-overview
  34. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/149865/Royal-Ways-NZ-1990.aspx#bm-overview
  35. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/149865/Royal-Ways-NZ-1990.aspx#bm-overview
  36. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/153458/Our-Jonty-NZ-1991.aspx#bm-overview
  37. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/110836/Sydney-Jones-NZ-1988.aspx#bm-overview
  38. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/52491/Classic-Heights-NZ-1985.aspx#bm-overview
  39. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/110836/Sydney-Jones-NZ-1988.aspx#bm-overview
  40. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/11852/Ellivani-NZ-1982.aspx#bm-overview
  41. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/37789/Sir-Barton-NZ-1983.aspx#bm-overview
  42. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/23404/Lord-Tennyson-NZ-1985.aspx#bm-overview
  43. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/5917/Brother-Bart-NZ-1984.aspx#bm-overview
  44. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/1857/Ardri-NZ-1980.aspx#bm-overview
  45. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/43490/Tumblin-Down-NZ-1980.aspx#bm-overview
  46. ↑ "Emotions high ahead of ultimate tribute to Toby Autridge". 6 June 2022.
  47. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/16741/Heddawin-NZ-1979.aspx#bm-overview
  48. ↑ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/10056/Deductable-NZ-1980.aspx#bm-overview
  49. ↑ Costello, John and Finnegan, Pat (1988). Tapestry of Turf. Moa Publications.
  50. ↑ "Hazlett, William Edgar".
  51. ↑ "Racing: The race of many great memories".
  52. ↑ "Racing: Great Northern attracts legends".
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