| Class | Prestige jumping |
|---|---|
| Location | Te Rapa, Te Aroha, Ellerslie Racecourse Auckland, New Zealand |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Jump Racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 6400 m |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Open |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | NZ$150,000 (2024) |
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.
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 over 6500m.
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.
From 1885 until 1925 the Great Northern Steeplechase was raced over three and a half miles and from 1926-1946 it was three and three quarters of a mile. The race was increased to four miles from 1947 and became 6400m in 1974. [2]
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. [3]
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). [4] 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. [5] 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.
| Year | Winner | Sire | Dam | Jockey | Trainer(s) | Time | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 (Te Rapa) [6] | West Coast 73 [7] | Mettre En Jeu | Testament | Shaun Fannin | Mark Oulaghan, Awapuni | 8:18.40 (6500m) | Captains Run 66 | Auld Jock 66 |
| 2023 (Te Rapa) [8] | West Coast 73 [9] | Mettre En Jeu | Testament | Shaun Fannin | Mark Oulaghan | 8.02.14 (6500m) | Captains Run 66 | The Cossack 73 |
| 2022 (Te Rapa) [10] | Kiddo 65 | Istidaad (USA) | Kitty O'Reilly | Shaun Fannin | Kevin Myers | 8:18.64 (6500m) | Donardo 65 | The Anarchist 65 |
| 2021 (Te Aroha) [11] | Te Kahu [12] 65 | Zacinto (GB) | Midnight Owl | Matthew Cropp [13] | Dan O'Leary, Marton | 7:43.24 (6200m) | Zartan 65 | No Tip 65 |
| 2020 [14] | Magic Wonder 65 | Eighth Wonder (NZ) | Magic Flight | Shaun Fannin | Jo Rathbone | 7:42.47 | Napoleon 65 | Shamal 70 |
| 2019 [15] | Wise Men Say 69 | Yamanin Vital (NZ) | Vaguely Famous | Shaun Fannin | Raymond Connors | 8:48.79 | Kings Kite 65 | Crash Bandicott 66.5 |
| 2018 (Te Aroha) [16] | Chocolate Fish [17] 65 | Colombia (NZ) | Saveur | Shaun Phelan | Shane Brown | 8:08.47 (6300m) | Perry Mason 65 | Shamal 68 |
| 2017 [18] | Wise Men Say [19] 68 | Yamanin Vital (NZ) | Vaguely Famous | Isaac Lupton | Raymond Connors | 9:31.50 | Upper Cut 70.5 | Tizza Secret 65 |
| 2016 [20] [21] | Kick Back 65 | Bahhare (USA) | Take Three | Shaun Fannin | Kevin Myers | 8:08.65 | Almanood Lad 67 | Zed Case 65 |
| 2015 [22] | Jack Romanov 65 | Ustinov (Aus) | Colmerino | Richard Cully | Mark Brooks | 8:50.20 | Snodroptwinkletoes 65 | Amanood Lad 70 |
| 2014 [23] | Amanood Lad 67 | Germano (GB) | Anood Dash | Craig Thornton | Ben Foote | 9:04.82 | Tobouggie Nights 68 | Red Hot 65 |
| 2013 [24] | Rangatira 65 | Deputy Governor (USA) | Aggie Grey | Isaac Lupton | Steve Gulliver | 8:23.85 | Kidunot 68 | Karlos 68 |
| 2012 [25] | Tom's Myth 68 | Rainbow Myth (NZ) | Tom's Jewel | Shaun Phelan | Ann Browne | 8:25.07 | Myths And Legends 67.5 | Cape Kinaveral 68 |
| 2011 [26] | Ima Heroine 63.5 | Heroicity (Aus) | Ima Hunter | Mathew Gillies | Ann Browne | 8:37.55 | Myths And Legends 63 | Hypnotize 71.5 |
| 2010 [27] | Hypnotize 70.5 | Yamanin Vital (NZ) | Auburn Rose | Isaac Lupton | Raymond Connors | 8:45.50 | Karlos 63 | Fair King 65.5 |
| 2009 [28] | Fair King 64.5 | Kingfisher Mill (USA) | Fair Sister | James Gillies | Ann Browne | 8:02.66 | Hypnotize 69.5 | Volkswagin 63 |
| 2008 [29] | Hypnotize [30] 68.5 | Yamanin Vital (NZ) | Auburn Rose | Isaac Lupton | Raymond Connors | 8:15.71 | Franconero 63 | Fair King 64 |
| 2007 [31] | Hypnotize 65 | Yamanin Vital (NZ) | Auburn Rose | Isaac Lupton | Raymond Connors | 8:24.25 | Stitched 66 | The Storytella 63 |
| 2006 [32] | Real Tonic 66.5 | Victory Dance (Ire) | Bantan | Brett Scott | John Wheeler | 8:50.48 | I'manace 63 | Fenman 62 |
| 2005 | Just The Man 62 [33] | Isle Of Man (NZ) | Albatross Road | Joanne Rathbone | Davina Waddell | 7:41.44 | The Storytella 63 | Bart 65 |
| 2004 | Wanderlust 65.5 [34] | Globetrotter (NZ) | Hauma | Michelle Hopkins | Ann & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge | 8:18.30 | Aquaria Dancer 62 | Golden Flare 68 |
| 2003 | Golden Flare 63 [35] | Touching Wood (USA) | Golden Glow | Clayton Chipperfield | Raylene Whiteside | 8:05.98 | Cool Conductor 63 | Royal Ways 65 |
| 2002 | Golden Flare 60 [35] | Touching Wood (USA) | Golden Glow | Clayton Chipperfield | Raylene Whiteside | 8:06.02 | Cool Conductor 60 | Royal Ways 63 |
| 2001 | Smart Hunter 60.5 (Dead-heat) [36] | Ivory Hunter (USA) | Jeanne's Jest | Michelle Hopkins | Ann & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge | 8:21.45 | - | Wickerman 60 |
| 2001 | Sir Avion 60 (Dead-heat) [37] | Sir Sian (NZ) | Avion | Wayne Hillis | Kevin O'Connor | 8:21.45 | - | " " |
| 2000 | Royal Ways 63.5 [38] | Crossways (GB) | Royal Auk | Joseph Douglas | Tony Cole | 8:23.17 | Our Jonty 64 | Fair Brother 64 |
| 1999 | Royal Ways 60 [38] | Crossways (GB) | Royal Auk | Joseph Douglas | Tony Cole | 8:09.17 | Just Red 60 | Sel Tee 62 |
| 1998 | Our Jonty 64 [39] | Random Chance (NZ) | Lal's Gift | Raymond Connors | Kevin Myers | 7:51.25 | Lost In The Rain 64 | Kildary King 61 |
| 1997 | Sydney Jones 66.5 [40] | Sir Sydney (NZ) | Tua Rangi | Brett McDonald | Ann & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge | 8:38.73 | Flash Hunter 66 | Our Jonty 61 |
| 1996 | Classic Heights 62 [41] | Sir Tristram (Ire) | Catena Gold | Paul Fitzgerald | Tim Douglas | 8:18.05 | Just Red 64 | Joyful Dude 64 |
| 1995 | Sydney Jones 65 [40] | Sir Sydney (NZ) | Tua Rangi | Tina Egan | Ann & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge | 8:39.16 | Joyful Dude 65 | Classic Heights 60 |
| 1994 [42] | Ellivani 64.5 | Palm Beach (Fra) | Ina Ville | Brian Constable | John Twomey | 7:47.18 | Bwana 64 | Propel 62 |
| 1993 [43] | Sir Barton 63.5 | Sir Bart (NZ) | Confront | Chad Northcott | Max Northcott | 8:06.56 | Bwana 64 | Red Impact 61 |
| 1992 [44] | Lord Tennyson 60.5 | Royal Plume (GB) | Noode | Brett McDonald | Ann & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge | 8:07.38 | The Image Maker 60.3 | Desperino 60.8 |
| 1991 [45] | Brother Bart 60.5 | Sir Bart (NZ) | Sister Sarah | Craig Thornton | Ann & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge | 8:16.60 | The Image Maker 59.5 | Brigadier Puckle 60.8 |
| 1990 [46] | Ardri 59.5 | Bally Royal (GB) | Aramusha | Ken Browne | Ann & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge | 8:33.53 | Zamarino 60 | Count Five 64 |
| 1989 | Tumblin’ Down 61 [47] | Dodger (NZ) | Maria Dallas | Toby Autridge [48] | Michael Moroney | 8:20.29 | Yamani 61 | High Impact 60.3 |
| 1988 [49] | Heddawin 59.3 | Head Hunter (GB) | Winagan | Wayne Hillis | John Bullock | 8:10.41 | Vincere 60.5 | Seeyoulater 60.5 |
| 1987 [50] | Deductable 59.5 | Kirrama (NZ) | Happy Return | Paul Hillis | Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill | 8:22.40 | Orca 61.3 | Seeyoulater 61 |
| 1986 | Rock Crystal 59.5 | Native Turn (USA) | Princess Mellay (NZ) [51] | A M (Snooky) Cowan | Hector Anderton | 8:14.23 | Lord Venture 59.5 | Kanamint 64 |
| 1985 [52] | Hunterville 66.5 | Treason Trial (Ire) | Wedding Ring (NZ) | Denis Gray | Ron Cropp | 7:52.02 | Orca 58.5 | Resolution 64.5 |
| 1984 | Hunterville 65.5 | Treason Trial (Ire) | Wedding Ring (NZ) | Denis Gray | Ron Cropp | 8:18.58 | Dulico 59.8 | Civil Rights 57.8 |
| 1983 | Hunterville 62 | Treason Trial (Ire) | Wedding Ring (NZ) | Denis Gray | Ron Cropp | 8:01.99 | Headford 58.8 | Sparkling Brew 57 |
| 1982 [53] | Mountain Gold 59 | Rocky Mountain (Fra) | Gold Gwen (NZ) | Laurie Cavanagh | Tim Douglas | 8:13.05 | Hunterville 57 | Regenerate 61.5 |
| 1981 | Bean's Beau 63 | Head Hunter (GB) | Buzzami (NZ) | Bryce Waters | John Bullock | 7:59.47 (soft) | Patrone 65 | Aurlada 57 |
| 1980 | Guess Who 63.5 | Royal Ridge | Quita | Stephen Jenkins | Eric Temperton | 8:27.56 | Thumbs Orf 64 | Patrone 62.5 |
| 1979 | Ascona 60 | Ken Browne | Ken Browne | 8:19.32 | Al Rashid | First Wood | ||
| 1978 | Ballycastle 63 | Grant Cooksley | Brian Elliot | 7:39.35 | Marji's Gold | Ascona | ||
| 1977 | Ascona 57.5 | Ken Browne | Ken Browne | 8:52.00 | ||||
| 1976 | Loch Linnhe 69 | Lomond | Night Bell | Brian Tims | W J (Bill) Hillis | 8:08.6 | Vitraglaze | Ballymore |
| 1975 | Loch Linnhe 65.5 | Lomond | Night Bell | W J (Bill) Hillis | W J (Bill) Hillis | 8:00 | Monty | Young Surveyor |
| 1974 | Specialist 57.5 | Graeme Walters | Peter Cathro | 7:51 | Burglar Bill | Captain Sandy | ||
| 1973 | Bob's Luck 9st | G N Scanlon | 8:00 | |||||
| 1972 | Brockton 9st 12 | Brian ("Baggy") Hillis [54] | 8:10 | |||||
| 1971 | Brockton 9st | Brian ("Baggy") Hillis | 8:10 | |||||
Winning horses and jockeys include the following: [55]