Great New Zealand Hurdle
Horse race
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The Great New Zealand Hurdle formerly known as the Great Northern Hurdles is one of New Zealand's feature jumping races.
formerly Ellerslie Racecourse
| Class | Prestige jumping |
|---|---|
| Location | Te Aroha formerly Ellerslie Racecourse |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Jump Racing |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 4200m |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Right-handed |
| Qualification | Open |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | NZ$150,000 (2025) |
History
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:
- 2018, raced over 4200m, due to a track upgrade at Ellerslie
- 2021, raced over 4200m on October 3, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
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 to 2024 the race was 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, in September.[4]
In July 2025 the Great Northern Hurdles and Great Northern Steeplechase were renamed as the Great New Zealand Hurdle and Great New Zealand Steeplechase respectively.[5][6]
Paul Nelson has won the three race times as a sole trainer and four times in partnership with Corrina McDougal:
- Chibuli (2002)
- Just Not Cricket (2006 and 2007)
- The Cossack (2020 and 2021)
- Nedwin (2023)
- Taika (2025).
No other trainer has won the race more than four times.[7]
Race results
| Year |
Winner |
Jockey |
Trainer(s) |
Sire |
Dam |
Damsire |
Time |
Second |
Third |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 (Te Aroha)[8][7] | Taika 66 | Mathew Gillies | Paul Nelson & Corrina McDougal | Mettre En Jeu (NZ) | Isabella Soraya (NZ) | Al Akbar (Aus) | 5:07.70 (4200m) | The Bambino 66 | Lord Spencer 66 |
| 2024 (Te Rapa)[9] | 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)[10] | 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)[11] | Abu Dhabi 65 [12][13] | Hamish McNeill | Shaun & Emma Clotworthy | Haradasun (Aus) | Tunzi | McGinty | 5:08.67 | Kajino 68.5 | Banks Road 65 |
| 2021 (Te Aroha)[14][15] | The Cossack 70.5[16] | Shaun Phelan | Paul Nelson & Corrina McDougal | Mastercraftsman (Ire) | Stellardelmar | Galileo (Ire) | 4:51.91 | Dr Hank 65 | Aigne 66.5 |
| 2020 (Ellerslie)[17] | The Cossack 65 [18] | Aaron Kuru | Paul Nelson & Corrina McDougal | Mastercraftsman (Ire) | Stellardelmar | Galileo (Ire) | 5:11.09 | Lake Superior 65 | Aigne 69 |
| 2019 (Ellerslie)[19] | Bad Boy Brown 65.5 [20] | Isaac Lupton | Harvey Wilson | St Reims | Pay 'N' Display | Centaine (Aus) | 5:27.73 | Laekeeper 68.5 | No Tip 67 |
| 2018 (Te Aroha)[21] | Jackfrost 67.5 [22][23] | Buddy Lammas | Brian & Shane Anderton | Gallant Guru (Aus) | Vital Note | Yamanin Vital | 5:05.53 | Second Innings 65 | Laekeeper 66 |
| 2017 (Ellerslie)[24] | Zedeedudadeeko 65.5 [25] | Charlie Stubbs | James Phillips | Zed | Cheeko Beeko | Straussbrook (Aus) | 6:12.45 | Storming Norman 65 | Kipkeino 67 |
| 2016 [26] | D'Llaro 65 | Brad McLean | Graeme Lord | D'Cash (Aus) | Random Quest | Random Chance | 4:45.44 | Raisafuasho 65 | Ngatiro Gold 65 |
| 2015 [27] | Gagarin 66.5 | Mathew Gillies | Kevin Myers | Pentire (GB) | Flying Chance | Centaine (Aus) | 5:43.59 | Mahanadi 65.5 | Wee Biskit 68.5 |
| 2014 [28] | Wee Biskit 65 | Isaac Lupton | Ken Duncan | Zed | Nancy Hope | Lord Ballina (Aus) | 5:35.38 | Gagarin 65 | Real Treasure 65.5 |
| 2013 [29] | 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 [30] | 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 [31] | 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 [32] | Mount Sinai 63 | Shelley Houston | Ann Browne | Kilimanjaro (GB) | Kessem's Jewel | Kessem | 5:22.61 | Solid Steal | Southern Countess |
| 2009 [33] | Kidunot 64.5 | Daniel Bothamley | Ellis Winsloe | Gaius (Ire) | Red Alarm | Alarm Call (GB) | 4:47.86 | Ho Down 63 | Western Line 63 |
| 2008 [34] | Montezuma 63 | Tom Hazlett | Peter & Casey Lock | Generous (Ire) | Classic Shot | Zabeel | 5:08.41 | The Shoe 63 | Mario 64.5 |
| 2007 [35] | Just Not Cricket 66 | Jonathan Riddell | Paul Nelson | Corrupt (USA) | Koru | Diplomatic Agent (USA) | 5:02.50 | Pasco 63 | Counter Punch 66 |
| 2006[36] | Just Not Cricket 63.5 | Jonathan Riddell | Paul Nelson | Corrupt (USA) | Koru | Diplomatic Agent (USA) | 5:03.26 | Yourtheman 63.5 | Poacher 63 |
Previous results
The following are previous winning horses, weight carried and jockeys.[37]
- 2005 [38] Starbo 64 (Laura Noel)
- 2004 [39] Cuchulainn 62 (Finbarr Leahy)
- 2003 [40] Narousa 63.5 (Tom Hazlett)
- 2002 [41] Chibuli 61 (Jonathon Riddell)
- 2001 [42] Smart Hunter 62 (Michelle Strawbridge)[43]
- 2000 [44] Gold Story 60 (Finbarr Leahy)
- 1999 [45] Adipose David 60 (Joe Douglas)
- 1998 [46] Sir Avion 61 (Ross Elliot)
- 1997 [47] Clem (Chris Johnson)
- 1996 [48] Salezaar 60.5 (Chad Northcott)
- 1995 [49] Lord Zirito (Peter Tims)
- 1994 [50] Tawhiti Road 63.5 (Brett Scott)
- 1991 [51] After Noon 60 (Stephen Stacey)
- 1990 [52] Star Count 61 (Wayne Thomas)
- 1987 [53] Vincere 65 (Graeme Lord)
- 1986 [54] Sutters Gold 61.5 (Paul Hillis)
- 1985 [55] Gogong 61 (Paul Hillis)
- 1984 [56] Outright 60 (Stephen Jenkins)
- 1983 [57] Jean Rapier 57.5 (Laurie Cavanagh), also won the 1983 Grand National Hurdles
- 1982 [58] Mr Hickey 67.5 (Stephen Jenkins)
- 1981 Mark's Gold 60.5 (T R Gillies)
- 1980 Mr Hickey 62.5 (R L Rokeia)
- 1979 Odland 58 (R A Johnson)
- 1978 Leyland 61 (L B Cavanagh)
- 1977 Owhata Chief 67 (A T Hounsell)
- 1976 Thun 63.5 (M J Gillies)
- 1975 Execute 68 (T Fallon)
- 1974 Cobland 60 (G A Walters)
- 1973 Beau Rouge 9st3 (G R Bell)
- 1972 Transall 9st3 (R J Fergus)
- 1971 Brockton 9st1 (Brian "Baggy" Hillis)
- 1970 Matanuku Blue 9st (H Green)
- 1969 Foxonewa 10st4 (K A Old)
- 1968 Lordtuckey 9st7 (Brian "Baggy" Hillis), also won the 1968 Grand National Hurdles
- 1967 Beyond 9st4 (G Jenkins)
- 1966 Macdonald 9st4 (G A Walters)
- 1965 Smoke Ring 11st5 (R J Leggett)
- 1964 Smoke Ring 9st4 (Brian "Baggy" Hillis), also won the 1964 Grand National Hurdles
- 1963 Elrey 9st8 (J R Potter)
- 1962 Elrey 9st1 (C R Cooksley)
- 1961 Lord Oman 9st (G O Mudgway)
- 1960 Fend 9st7 (J R Potter)
- 1959 Nupla 9st10 (J H Hely)
- 1958 Lochgair 9st13 (R J Turnwald)
- 1957 Meresun 9st (R D Samson), also won the 1958 Grand National Hurdles
- 1956 Hit Parade 9st9 (T Reynolds)
- 1955 Solar Mist 10st13 (J P Carter)
- 1954 Solar Mist 9st11 (J P Carter), also won the 1955 Grand National Hurdles
- 1953 Coppice 9st13 (J P Carter), also won the 1953 Grand National Hurdles
- 1952 Royalcille 9st (W K Caddy)
- 1951 Cornishman 10st3 (W Reid)
- 1950 Paul 9st6 (D Mackinnon)
- 1949 Kauri Pine 10st8 (W D Ensor)
- 1948 South Riding 9st1 (R Gibbs)
- 1947 Hunting Mac 10st1 (D Mackinnon), also won the 1949 Grand National Hurdles
- 1946 Bramble Song 9st4 (J W Winder), also won the 1946 Grand National Hurdles
- 1945 Good Armour 9st (F J Hain)
- 1944 Hunto 10st10 (J W Winder)
- 1943 Town Survey 9st1 (L C Brown), also won the 1943 Grand National Hurdles
- 1942 Erndale 10st2 (M N Caddy)
- 1941 Esperance Bay 9st8 (R J Hawes)
- 1940 Streamline 10st (G Ridgway)
- 1939 Charade
- 1938 Erination
- 1937 Sandy Dix
- 1936 Prince Of Orange
- 1935 Stanchion
- 1934 Wee Pat
- 1933 Makeup
- 1932 Landmark
- 1931 Prince Lu
- 1930 Kings Jest
- 1918 Gladful, also won the 1921 Grand National Hurdles