Group 3 race | |
Location | Trentham Racecourse Trentham Wellington Region |
---|---|
Inaugurated | 1874 |
Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
Website | Trentham Racecourse |
Race information | |
Distance | 3200 metres |
Surface | Turf |
Track | Left-handed |
Qualification | Three-Year-Olds and Up |
Weight | Handicap |
Purse | NZ$300,000 (2024) |
The Wellington Cup is a Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race in New Zealand held annually in late January at Trentham Racecourse in Trentham by the Wellington Racing Club.
Inaugurated in 1874, the Wellington Cup has been raced over various distances:
There were two prior Wellington Cups in 1867 and 1868. These were unofficial events run by the first Wellington Jockey Club and not recognised by the NZ Turf Register. [1]
The Wellington Cup is one of New Zealand's most famous and popular races and currently offers a purse of NZ$300,000 which belies its Group Three status. Wellington Cup day attracts large crowds to Trentham Racecourse and the other races on the card include the Group One Thorndon Mile, the Group Three Desert Gold Stakes and the Douro Cup.
The Wellington Cup was a Group 1 race until 2008. Given the prestige of the race, there was some disappointment at the news that the race would lose its Group One status from 2009. The Wellington Racing Club responded to the downgrade by reducing the distance to 2400 metres in order to attract a higher quality field. The race reverted to 3200m from 2016 to help encourage New Zealand stayers. [2] However, in 2017 the race was downgraded again to Group Three status. [3]
Queen Elizabeth II attended in 1970. [4]
One of the most famous winners of the Wellington Cup was Kiwi, ridden by Jimmy Cassidy. The pair went on to win the 1983 Melbourne Cup for trainer, Snow Lupton of Waverley. [5] Snow's grand-daughter Jaimee-Lee Lupton trained the 2020 Wellington Cup winner Soleseifei.
In past years the Wellington Racing Club arranged celebrity guests of honour such as:
The 2023 Wellington Cup is the 150th edition of the race. [6]
The biggest dividend paid for a Wellington Cup winner was $180 for Simon de Montfort, ridden by Brian Dodds in 1972. [7]
The 2024 edition was on the last race-day of calling by Tony Lee, after a 40 year career. [8]
Speed record:
Most wins:
Most wins by a jockey:
Most wins by a trainer:
Year | Winner | Wgt | Age | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time | Second | Third |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024 [10] | Mary Louise [11] | 56 | 5m | Craig Grylls | Robbie Patterson, New Plymouth | E M & N A Bourke & A R Piercy | 3:23.65 (soft) | Fierce Flight 58 | Canheroc 53 |
2023 [12] | Leaderboard | 53 | 8g | Joe Doyle | Mark Walker | Fortuna Leaderboard Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin) | 3.33.01 (heavy) | Contemplation 54 | Dionysus 57 |
2022 [13] | Lincoln King | 56 | 7g | Craig Grylls | Stephen Marsh | Lincoln Farms Bloodstock Ltd, Wellfield Holdings Ltd, Exempt Bloodstock Ltd, Stephen Marsh & Peter Gillespie | 3:23.21 | Starrybeel 55.5 | He No Opilio 54 |
2021 [14] | Waisake | 53 [15] | 6g | Samantha Collett | Alan Sharrock, New Plymouth | LR Butler, JM & KA Horner, A & NJ Macdonald, B & E Menzies, PV Mullen, BC & MC Schumacher & SA Sharrock | 3:22.85 | Bluey's Chance 53 | Justamaiz 53 |
2020 [16] | Soleseifei [17] | 53 | 7m | Trudy Thornton | Jaimee-Lee Lupton, Waverley [18] | L Ridge & Ms M Slagter | 3:20.03 | The Good Fight 54 | Toms 55.5 |
2019 [19] | Gorbachev [20] | 53 | 5g | Ryan Elliot | Bryce Newman, Bulls | P Bardell, F J P Huwyler, B K O'Dea & K T O'Donnell | 3:22.49 | Dee And Gee 53 | Prince Jabeel 59 |
2018 [21] [22] | Magic Chai [23] | 53 | 5g | Michael McNab | Tony Pike, Cambridge | MA & Mrs SL Treweek | 3:25.19 | Sampson 53 | Alinko Prince 53 |
2017 [24] [25] | Savaria [26] | 56.5 | 5m | Hayden Tinsley | Roydon Bergerson, Awapuni | DP & Mrs KC Fleming | 3:21.90 | Jackstar 58 | Perfect Start 56.5 |
2016 [27] | Mister Impatience [28] | 52.5 | 6g | Samantha Spratt | Michael Moroney & Chad Ormsby, Matamata | R Legh, GG Syndicate Ltd, K Millar, G Sharp, A Locantro, H Hansen, J O'Neill, G Van Ameyden, P Merton & L Neradovsky | 3:21.60 | Pentathon 53 | Sampson 56 |
2015 [29] | Maygrove [30] | 52.5 | 5g | Matthew Cameron | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman, Cambridge | JML Bloodstock Ltd (Mgr L Petagna) & PW O'Rourke | 2:26.65 (2400m) | Perfect Start 53 | She's Insatiable 52 |
2014 [31] | Graphic | 52 | 5g | Craig Grylls | Michael Moroney & Chad Ormsby, Matamata | Christopher R & Susanna Grace [32] | 2:29.30 (2400m) | Skysoblue 53 | Guns At Five 57 |
2013 [33] | Blood Brotha | 54 | 7g | Lisa Allpress | Raymond Connors, Bulls | M S & R M Connors | 2:31.32 (2400m) | Annie Higgins 52.5 | Dolmabache 54 |
2012 [34] | Six O'Clock News | 56 | 7g | Leith Innes | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young, Cambridge | Six O'Clock News Syndicate | 2:31.33 (2400m) | Spiro 58 | The Jungle Boy 56 |
2011 [35] | Spiro | 53 | 5g | Kane Smith | Sylvia Kay, Levin | P J & Mrs S L Kay, Mrs A J, B T, J E & R L Maetzig | 2:28.82 (2400m) | Six O’Clock News 54.5 | Loose Change 52.5 |
2010 [36] | Red Ruler | 57 | 5g | Mark Du Plessis | John Sargent, Matamata | R J Arculli, A R Meehan & G B Sargent | 2:27.42 (2400m) | Awesome Planet 52.5 | Manonamission 55 |
2009 [37] | Megapins [38] | 52.5 | 5m | Trudy Thornton | John & Karen Parsons, Balcairn | W R Campbell et al. | 2.28.32 (2400m) | Borninthestates 53 | Young Centaur 56.5 |
2008 [39] [40] | Young Centaur | 53.5 | 5g | Michael Walker | John Sargent, Matamata | J G Sargent & A Soon Shiong | 3.22.15 | Resolution 52.5 | Mirkola Lass 57 |
2007 [41] | Willy Smith | 55 | 5g | Matthew Cameron | Mark Todd, Cambridge | Mrs M K Hain & M McPhail | 3.22.11 | Mirkola Lass 53.5 | Everswindell 53 |
2006 | Envoy | 57.5 | 7 | Grant Cooksley | Ken Kelso, Matamata | K & B Kelso, R & J White | 3:22.38 | Viz Vitae 58 | Kajema 55.5 |
2005 [42] | Zabeat | 53.5 | 5 | Peter Johnson | Donna & Dean Logan, Ruakaka | A.M. Goodwin & Mrs. D.M. Logan | 3:20.73 | Gorgeous George 52 | From Heaven 52 |
2004 [43] | Cluden Creek | 51.5 | 5 | Andrew Calder | John Boon, Waverley | B Barber, W Purvis & A MacDonald | 3:26.49 | Bel Air 53.5 | Ebony Honour 52.5 |
2003 | Oarsman | 52.5 | 5 | Gary Grylls | Paul Duncan | B E & R W Punch | 3:19.53 | Wolf Creek 51.5 | Mojo 52 |
2002 | Cyclades | 54.5 | 6 | Lance O'Sullivan | Cydne Evans, Waverley | D N & W E Pye | 3:20.20 | Ebony Honor 54 | Blanchard 54 |
2001 | Smiling Like | 52 | 6 | Michael Walker | Graeme Rogerson | Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan | 3:22.04 | Ebony Honor 52 | Starina 52 |
2000 [44] | Second Coming | 55 | 5 | Michael Coleman | Michael Moroney & Andrew Scott, Matamata | A J Burton, P S Lindberg, Paul Moroney & G G Peterson. | 3.20.93 | McDa Knife 51 | The Gifted Shifta 50.5 |
1999 | Miss Bailey | 51 | 7 | Leanne Isherwood | Grant Cullen, Hastings | Grant Cullen et al. | 3:21.91 | Emerald 51 | Beechwood Road 53 |
1998 | Aerosmith | 52 | 5 | Grant Cooksley | Peter & Nikki Hurdle, Awapuni | AB & DG Smith | 3:22.62 | Magnet Bay 52 | Altrista 56 |
1997 [45] | Ed | 53 | 7 | Lance O'Sullivan | Noel Eales, Awapuni | AJ & Mrs LM Crooks | 3:17.39 | Bonsai Pipeline 51.5 | Magnet Bay 56 |
1996 | Yes Indeed | 54.5 | 6 | Jock Caddigan | Michael Moroney, Matamata | DJ & Mrs MA Deegan | 3:17.85 | Magnet Bay 54 | Sapio 55 |
1995 [46] | Ed | 52 | 5 | Damien Oliver | Cecil Beckett, Riverton | AJ (Bert) & Mrs LM (Margaret) Crooks | 3:18.25 | Yes Indeed 50.5 | All In Fun 57 |
1994 [47] | Castletown | 58 | 7g | Noel Harris | Patrick Busuttin, Foxton | PM Busuttin, BJ McCahill, KP Morris | 3:18.63 | Tawbeau 48.5 | Ultimate Aim 52.5 |
1993 | Dancing Lord | 48.5 | 6 | Leanne Isherwood | MI Pearson, Hastings | KS Lee | 3:18.19 | Ebury 48 | Tall Emperor 49 |
1992 | Castletown | 58 | 5g | Noel Harris | Patrick Busuttin, Foxton | PM Busuttin, BJ McCahill, KP Morris | 3:19.33 | Schnapps 50.5 | The Yapper 50 |
1991 [48] | Castletown | 55 | 4g | Noel Harris | Patrick Busuttin, Foxton | PM Busuttin, BJ McCahill, KP Morris | 3:18.37 | Shuzohra 55.5 | Coconut Ice 53 |
1990 | Flying Luskin | 54.5 | 5 | Peter Johnson | Stephen & Trevor McKee, Takanini | Joe Karam, Trevor McKee, Peter J Walker, John A Wells | 3:20.52 | Lord Mellay 54 | All Nighter 52.5 |
1989 | Noble Khan | 48 | 7 | Peter Ayres | Don Sellwood, Hastings | R J Fleetwood, Mrs M C Kuzmich, D G Terry & J A Willmott | 3:19.21 | Fleetward Lad 50.3 | Bouillan 48.5 |
1988 | Daria's Fun | 53.5 | 6 | Gary Stewart | Mrs S E H Ellis | D A Hodgetts, D W Mayers & M D Richardson | 3:15.59 | Banderol 49.5 | Double Lang 51.5 |
1987 [49] | Rastes | 49 | 6 | Paul Taylor | Danny Walker | N K Allen, Miss P S Brough, P J Marron Jnr & R D Seivers | 3:22.56 | Blovinski 53.5 | Lu 51.5 |
1986 | Samasaan | 54 | 5 | Chris Johnson | Garth Jackson, Riccarton | M R Bell, I H Harrison, G A Jackson | 3:23.22 | Curved Air 52 | Whitole 56 |
1985 [50] | Imaprince | 51 | 4 | Philip Mercer | Mick Preston, Otaki | J C Bell | 3:22.27 | Secured Deposit 57 | Duanette's Girl 49 |
1984 [51] | Secured Deposit | 51.5 | 4 | Neil Hain | Neville Atkins, Waiuku | Eileen Mackley, Dale Ralph & Neville Atkins | 3:22.6 | Isle of Man 54.5 | Suttle Knight 50.5 |
1983 | Kiwi | 50.5 | 5g | Jimmy Cassidy | E S (Snow) Lupton, Waverley | E S & Mrs Lupton | 3:20.29 | Maurita 50.5 | Macloud 50.5 |
1982 [52] | Ruakuna | 53 | 6 | Stephen Autridge | Leonie Pratt, Cambridge | M H Tims & Estate W J Pratt | 3:19.25 | Azawary 50 | Unique 48.5 |
1981 [53] | Koiro Trelay | 53.5 | 5 | Phillip Smith | Eric Temperton, Awapuni | D G Canning | 3:18.75 | Arethusa 50 | Eruption 52.5 |
1980 [54] | Cubacade | 52 | 6 | Jim Walker | Don Couchman, Hawera | R & Mrs Gallagher | 3:23.51 | Zamalou 53 | Koiro Trelay 51.5 |
1979 [55] | Big Gamble | 51 | 5 | Toby Autridge | Howie Mathews, Matamata | D P McLennan, H J & Mrs Tapper | 3:19.25 | Northfleet 49 | Magistrate 53 |
1978 [56] | Good Lord | 58 | 6g | David Peake | Ray Verner, Takanini | M L Hines | 3:18.00 | Big Gamble 49.5 | Caruba 51.5 |
1977 | Good Lord | 53 | 5g | Bruce Compton | Ray Verner, Takanini | M L Hines | 3:24.5 | Show Gate 57 | Our Countess 53 |
1976 [57] | Guest Star | 53.5 | 5 | Maurice Campbell | Ivan & I R Tucker, Takanini | I J Tucker | 3:20.75 | Royal Dell 49.25 | Oopik 56.5 |
1975 | Timon | 52 | 6 | Gary Willets | Frederick Phillips, Matangi | G R Pollock | 3:23.00 | Guest Star 52 | Apollo Eleven 53 |
1974 | Battle Heights | 54 | 6g | Alwin Tweedie | Tim Douglas, Morrinsville | R F & Mrs Douglas | 3:23.5 | Manchero 48 | Rose Mellay 55.5 |
1973 | Rustler | 7.11 | 4 | David Peake | Merv Ritchie, Takanini | J C & Mrs Fletcher | 3:20.75 | Glengowan | |
1972 | Simon de Montfort | 7.8 | 6 | Brian Dodds | Fred Meynell, Hawera | Mrs T G Whenlan | 3:17.75 | Suttle | Duty Free |
1971 | Ansin | 7.4 | 5 | David Peake | Jack Winder, Te Rapa | M I Matulich | 3:19.25 | Princess Mellay | Spectre |
1970 | Il Tempo | 7.12 | 7 | Neil Riordan | Bruce Priscott, Te Awamutu | W B Priscott | 3:16.75 | ||
1969 | City Court | 8.0 | 4 | Bob Skelton | Ray Wallace, Takanini | A K Sharp | 3:17.50 | Il Tempo | Spring Filou |
1968 | Loofah | 8.5 | 4 | Bill Skelton | Buster O’Malley, Levin | A O’Malley | 3:20.25 | Bright Chief | Il Tempo |
1967 | Michael Molloy | 7.5 | 4 | Murray Long | Jim Hely, Te Rapa | S Caddigan & Estate H P Long | 3:19.75 | Palisade | Red Siren |
1966 | Red Crest | 7.7 | 5 | Brian Andrews [58] | Jack Winder, Te Rapa | I A McMullin & J F Rendle | 3:27.5 | Eiffel Tower | Clipjoint |
1965 | Eiffel Tower | 7.5 | 4 | Midge Didham | Bill Hillis, Riverton | W E Hazlett | 3:22.75 | Dandeinee | Calm Court |
1964 | Gay Filou | 8.3 | 6 | Grenville Hughes | Ivan McClure, Riccarton | D D Fea & R Smith | 3:21.25 | Polo Prince | Summer Regent |
1963 | Great Sensation | 9.7 | 10g | Bob Skelton | Mick Brown, Wingatui | D W Brown | 3:19 | Stipulate | Blue Blade |
1962 | Great Sensation | 9.6 | 9g | Bob Skelton | Mick Brown, Wingatui | D W Brown | 3:20 | Ruato | Marwon |
1961 | Great Sensation | 9.2 | 8g | Bob Skelton | Mick Brown, Wingatui | D W Brown | 3:17.5 | Quite Able | Ilumquh |
1960 | Jalna | 7.5 | 4 | Billy Smith | Dave Arnott, Te Aroha | H C Adams & P G Henwood | 3:18 | Sparkler | Great Sensation |
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