Grand National Hurdles (New Zealand)
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| Class | Prestige jumping |
|---|---|
| Location | Riccarton Park Racecourse, Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Jump Racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 4200 m |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Open |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | NZ$100,000 (2024) |
The Great National Hurdles held at Riccarton Park Racecourse is one of New Zealand's major steeplechase jumping races.
The Grand National Hurdles has been held on 134 occasions to date. It was first run in July 1890 over two miles (3200m), later being extended to two and a half miles in 1916.[1]
Since 1973 it has been run over a distance of 4200m and in winter when the grass tracks are soft or heavy. The race is therefore a test of stamina and fitness for both horse and rider.
Bert Ellis rode five winners (1925, 1927, 1938, 1939 and 1941).
Women jockey winners are Leanne Elliot (1992), Tina Egan (1994), Megan Prendergast (1999), Rochelle Lockett (2002 and 2003), Michelle Hopkins (2004), Hayley Curran (2012), Kayla Veenendaal (2013) and Portia Matthews (2023 and 2024).[2]
Race results
| Year |
Winner |
Sire |
Dam |
Dam-Sire |
Jockey |
Trainer(s) |
Time |
Second |
Third |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025[3] | Suliman 66 | Redwood (GB) | Red Mariete (Aus) | Red Ransom (USA) | Hamish McNeill | Paul Nelson & Corrina McDougall, Hastings | 5:20.26 (heavy) | Quid 66 | Happy Star 67 |
| 2024[4] | Berry The Cash 73 | Jakkalberry (Ire) | Likely Story (NZ) | High Yield (USA) | Portia Matthews | Mark Oulaghan, Awapuni | 5:16.40 (heavy) | Run Jakko Run 66 | Metallo 66 |
| 2023[5] | Berry The Cash 66 | Jakkalberry (Ire) | Likely Story (NZ) | High Yield (USA) | Portia Matthews | Mark Oulaghan, Awapuni | 4:58.89 (heavy) | Happy Star 70 | Obrigado 66 |
| 2022[6][7] | Happy Star 67 | Fabulous | Carlton Queen | Zed | Shaun Phelan | Kevin Myers, Wanganui | 5:14.63 (heavy) | He's Ric 67 | Phelyn Foxy 65 |
| 2021[8][9] | The Cossack 70.5 | Mastercraftsman (Ire) | Stellardelmar (Aus) | Galileo (Ire) | Shaun Phelan | Paul Nelson & Corrina McDougal, Hastings | 4:51.91 (soft) | Dr Hank 65 | Aigne 66.5 |
| 2019[10] | Bad Boy Brown 65.5 | St Reims | Pay 'N' Display | Centaine (Aus) | Isaac Lupton | Harvey Wilson | 5:27.73 (heavy) | Laekeeper 68.5 | No Tip 67 |
| 2018[11][12] | Jackfrost 65 | Gallant Guru (Aus) | Vital Note | Yamanin Vital | Stuart Higgins | Brian & Shane Anderton | 4:57.58 (heavy) | Laekeeper 66 | Second Innings 65 |
| 2017[13] | Ready Eddie 65 | Yamanin Vital | Tawnce | Personal Escort (USA) | Hamish McNeill | Laura Knight | 5:22.78 (heavy) | Go Go Gonzo 65 | Delacroix 65.5 |
| 2016[14] | Ngario 65 | Captain Rio (GB) | Dame Ngaio | Deputy Governor (USA) | Shaun Fannin | Kevin Myers, Wanganui | 4:58.90 (heavy) | Gagarin 67.5 | Ready Eddie 65 |
| 2015[15] | Tallyho Twinkletoe 65 | St Reims | Albacora | Lord Ballina (Aus) | Mathew Gillies | Kevin Myers, Wanganui | 4:43.11 (soft) | Kings Deep 68.5 | Wee Biskit 69 |
There was no race in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.