New Zealand Cup
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 Nightmarch, 1930 winner | |
| Class | Group III |
|---|---|
| Location | Riccarton Park Racecourse Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Inaugurated | 1865 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred – Flat racing |
| Website | www |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 3200m (2 miles) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-year-olds and up |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | $450,000 (2025) |
The New Zealand Cup is a thoroughbred horse race run at the Riccarton Park Racecourse in Christchurch.
The New Zealand Cup is raced on the final Saturday of Christchurch "Cup week" held each year in the second week of November.
For thoroughbred horses the week also features:
- the New Zealand 1000 Guineas for 3 year old fillies,
- the New Zealand 2000 Guineas for 3 year olds,
- the Stewards Handicap sprint, and
- the TAB Mile (formerly the Coupland's Bakeries Mile).
Christchurch Cup week includes premier standardbred meetings at Addington raceway including:
- the New Zealand Trotting Cup for pacers on the Tuesday.
- the New Zealand Free For All for pacers on the Friday.
- the Dominion Handicap for trotters on the Friday.
There is also greyhound racing on the Thursday, including the following Group 1 races:
- the New Zealand Galaxy - C5f 295m.
- the New Zealand Greyhound Cup - C5f 520m.
- the New Zealand Stayers Cup - C2df 732m.
History of the New Zealand Cup
The New Zealand Cup is one of the oldest races in New Zealand having been run each year since 1865. It is a race for stayers, over 3200 metres, which is also the distance of the Auckland Cup, Wellington Cup as well as some major Australian races such as the Melbourne Cup.
Despite it dropping over time from a Group 1 race down to Group 3 status, it remains one of the most popular racing events in New Zealand with the 150th running in 2013.
Maree Lyndon was the first female jockey to win a Group I race in New Zealand when winning the 1982 Cup on Sirtain.
Notable winners include:
- Blood Brotha (2011 and 2012), the 2013 Wellington Cup winner.
- Cuddle (1935), 2× winner of the Auckland Cup and the Doncaster Handicap.
- Empire Rose (1987), the 1988 Melbourne Cup winner.
- Fury's Order (1974), the 1975 Cox Plate winner.
- Nightmarch (1930), winner of the 1929 Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
- Samasaan (1985), the 1986 Wellington Cup winner.
- Sapio (1995 and 1998), the winner of the 1997 Tattersall's Cup (Eagle Farm) and Doomben Cup.
- Sasanof (1918), two years after becoming the first New Zealand owned, trained, and bred Melbourne Cup winner.[1]
- Watallan (1973), winning the Cup as a 10 year old, for his 21st victory from 111 starts, and paying a $98 dividend.[2]
Group Status
- 1865–1977 (Principal Race)
- 1978–1990 (Group 1)
- 1991–2008 (Group 2)
- 2009–present (Group 3)
Race results
| Year |
Horse |
Wgt |
Sire |
Dam |
Dam Sire |
Jockey |
Owner(s) |
Trainer(s) |
Time |
Second |
Third |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025[3] | Bozo[4] | 54 | Satono Aladdin | So Ard | High Chaparral | Tina Comignaghi | Rick, Sandra & Anne Hill | Kevin Myers | 3:33.05 (heavy) | Prince Alby 54 | Canheroc 54 |
| 2024[5] | Mehzebeen | 53 | Almanzor | Salkantay (NZ) | Zabeel | Craig Grylls | Sarai Stud, M & Y Davis, D & S Rolston, S Waddell, R & B Duncan, T & K Howe | Mark Walker & Sam Bergerson | 3.27.40 (soft) | Beavertown Boy 53 | Canheroc 53 |
| 2023[6] | Mahrajaan | 55 | Kitten's Joy | Lahudood | Singspiel (Ire) | Sam Weatherley | G I Barnett, G W Bates, R Cooper, P J Cranitch, G M Jennings, G G Peterson, S F Ritchie, C J Talbot, E J Wood & Est late S F Massey | Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray, Cambridge | 3:25.28 (good) | Nest Egg 53 | Waisake 53.5 |
| 2022 [7] | Aljay | 55 | Rock 'n' Pop | Albacora | Lord Ballina (Aus) | Tina Comignaghi | L J Gestro & K T Myers | Kevin Myers, Wanganui | 3:22.27 (soft) | Inmyshadow 57 | Mauna Loa 54 |
| 2021 [8] | Mondorani | 54 | Burgundy | Del Mondo | More Than Ready (USA) | Sarah Macnab | J N & Mrs K L Murdoch | Kevin Myers, Wanganui | 3:27.18 (soft) | Beaudz Well 54.5 | Leaderboard 54 |
| 2020 [9] | Dragon Storm | 53 [10] | Shocking | Prize Lady[11] | Prized (USA) | Craig Grylls | A C Consultant and Investment Ltd, C Y Chen, Karaka Mews Development Ltd & Pegasus Bloodstock Ltd | Chris Gibbs | 3:21.52 (soft) | Lincoln King 54.5 | Hurry Cane 57 |
| 2019 [12] | Dee And Gee [13] | 53 | Darci Brahma | Gabana | Jungle Pocket (Jap) | Leah Hemi | Terrill Charles & Peter Corbett [14] | Terrill Charles & Peter Corbett [15] | 3:23.05 (dead) | Kaharau (AUS) 58.5 | Gorbachev 55 |
| 2018 [16] | Bizzwinkle | 56.5 | Rip Van Winkle | Bizz | Volksraad (GB) | Sam Spratt | G J Craig, S W Hawkings, D & P Hughes, A E Kaminski, E Kaye, C N & P A Kemp, Kilgravin Lodge, D S Kinnear, T Lee, C T P Middleton,G E Petersen | Glenn Old | 3:22.58 | Duplicity 53 | Felaar 53 |
| 2017 [17][18] | Gobstopper [19][20][21] | 53.5 | Tavistock | Bagalollies (Aus)[22] | Zabeel | Sam Spratt[23] | C D Allison, C V & J A Barnao, A R Campbell, T G Heptinstall, T M Pivac & D R Platt | Andrew Campbell[24] | 3:23.79 | Pentathlon 59 | Kaharau 59 |
| 2016 [25][26] | Pump Up The Volume [27] | 57.5 | Savabeel | Nat The Brat | Racing Is Fun (USA) | Kelly McCulloch[28] | A B Coombe & R R Manning[29] | Ralph Manning | 3:23.43 | Perfect Start 53 | Imperium 53 |
| 2015[30] | Jimmy Mac [31] | 53 | Zed | Go Annie Go | Racing Is Fun (USA) | Lisa Allpress | G & L Andrew, P McGillicuddy, M Richardson & C White | Gene Andrew [32] | 3:21.01 Good | Southern Sav 53 | Benzini 59 |
| 2014[33] | Mungo Jerry | 54.5 | Don Eduardo | Grovana | Grosvenor | Kelly McCulloch | Makaraka Bloodstock Ltd | Adrian & Harry Bull, Hunterville | 3:23.88 Good | Esprit D’Or 54 | She's Insatiable 53.5 |
| 2013[34] | Spring Cheer | 53 | Bachelor Duke (USA) | Guardian Angel | Groom Dancer, USA | Rosie Myers | The Oaks Stud | Kevin Myers, Wanganui | 3:19.92 Good | Go Joeli 53 | Guns At Five 59 |
| 2012[35] | Blood Brotha | 53 | Danzighill (Aus) | Laura Dee | Personal Escort | Lisa Allpress | Mark S & Raymond M Connors | Raymond Connors, Wanganui | 3:19.56 Good | Single Minded 54.5 | Cottonwood Sky 53 |
| 2011 [36][37] | Blood Brotha[38] | 53.5 | Danzighill (Aus) | Laura Dee | Personal Escort | James McDonald | Mark S & Raymond M Connors | Raymond Connors, Wanganui | 3:29.24 Heavy | The Jungle Boy 53.5 | The Hand Of Faith 53.5 |
| 2010[39] | Showcause[40] (AUS) | 52.5 | Giant's Causeway (USA) | Showella | Lord Ballina (Aus) | Darryl Bradley | Showcause Syndicate | Frank Ritchie | 3:19.75 Good | Titch 55 | Zabene 54.5 |
| 2009[41] | My Scotsgrey | 53 | Golan (Ire) | My Chameleon | Grosvenor | Leith Innes | GG Syndicate Ltd, RM Reid, SF Ritchie, WM Schoonderwoerd, RJ Stroud, G Syminton, Mrs CB & MA Todd | Shaune Ritchie | 3:20.64 Good | Zabene 53 | Smoking Chimneys 53 |
| 2008 [42][43] | Hoorang | 54.5 | Zerpour | Kay Maree | Zerpour (Ire) | Kelly Myers | IA Shaw | Ian Shaw, Wanganui | 3:18.11 Good | Young Centaur 56.5 | Vickezz chardonnay 51.5 |
| 2007 [44][45] | Everswindell | 55 | Align | Hilarion Lady | St Hilarion (USA) | Noel Harris | Three Fillies Syndicate | John Sargent, Matamata | 3:21.55 Good | Bringbackthebiff 53.5 | Tedriffic 53 |
| 2006[46] | Pentathon | 57 | Pentire (GB) | Star Royal | Grosvenor | Noel Harris | RS Baulcomb, MK Ralsten | John Wheeler | 3:22.71 Dead | Cluden Creek 55.5 | American Gothic (GB) 55 |
| 2005 | Trebla | 52.5 | Yamanin Vital | Otaki Princess | Noble Bijou | Leith Innes | JH & Mrs SD Pattie | Del Roberts[47] | 3:24.55 Good | Northern Beau 57 | Live Arte Reality 54.5 |
| 2004[48] | Waltermitty | 52 | Grosvenor | Daria's Fun | Go Fun | Brian Hibberd | P Holland, V Matijasevich, ME Ralston & J Wheeler | John Wheeler, New Plymouth | 3:19.54 Firm | Normandy Boy 50.5 | Empyreal 50 |
| 2003[49] | Torlesse[50] | 57 | Volksraad | Seamist | Beaufort Sea | Terry Moseley | Ngapuke Stables Syndicate | Mandy Brown | 3:20.80 Firm | Cabella 57 | Galway Lass 54 |
| 2002 | Mike | 54 | Myocard | Re Enact | Kingsbridge | Noel Harris | HJ & Mrs MJ & MP Rutz | Paul Harris[51] | 3:24.51 Dead | Baloney 54 | Torlesse 52 |
| 2001 | Soldier Blue [52] | 54 | Sir Sian | Va Bene | Sovereign Ruler | Gary Grylls | Alistaire and Isabel Barker[53] | Royce Dowling | 3:17.97 | Emayr 54 | On Call 52 |
| 2000 | Smiling Like [54] | 53 | Star Way (GB) | Eustaci | Sir Tristram | Michael Walker | Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan | Graeme Rogerson and Keith Hawtin | 3:24.90 | Count Cristo 53 | Java Siang 54 |
| 1999[55] | Wake Forest | 51.5 | Cache Of Gold | Private Poppy | Staff Sergeant | Noel Harris | MA Collinson, PG Maher & PJ Walker | Gus Clutterbuck, Awapuni | 3:19.87 Easy | Paddy Maloney 50 | Pentium Speed 52.5 |
| 1998 | Sapio[56] | 59 | Vice Regal | Sage | Alligrit | Darryl Bradley | PJ & Mrs SL Kay | Sylvia Kay, Otaki[57] | 3:17.81 Good | Bonsai Pipeline 59 | King D’Or 52.5 |
| 1997 | Laud Peregrine | 49.5 | Laud Eulogy | Some Bird | Bold Venture | Leanne Rutherford | GS Oldbury & Estate A D Worth | Ralph Manning[58] | 3:17.99 Good | I'm Excited 50 | Sopherim 51 |
| 1996[59] | Old Thymer[60] | 52.5 | Imperial Guard | Stitch 'N Thyme | Approval (GB) | Jan Cameron | Mrs Isla M Thompson | Kelly Thompson, Longbush | 3:17.47 Firm | Bonsai Pipeline 50.5 | Sir Ailahtan 54.5 |
| 1995 [56] | Sapio | 55.5 | Vice Regal | Sage | Alligrit | Brian Hibberd | P J & Mrs SL Kay | Sylvia Kay, Otaki | 3:20.40 Good | Dozen Roses 56 | Windsor Prince 52 |
| 1994[61][62] | Double Take | 54 | Phizam | Blondie | Hasty Cloud (Ire) | Chris Johnson | JD Ancell | Royce Dowling & Mrs Linda Laing, Cambridge | 3:17.88 Firm | Friendly Henry 49.5 | Tui Akarana 52 |
| 1993[63][64] | Karaoke | 52.5 | Happy Melody | Buzz Off | Sir Fleet (USA) | Brian Hibberd | Tudor Syndicates No. 1 & 2 | Bruce Marsh, Woodville | 3:24.99 Firm | Prince Haze 54 | Castletown 59 |
| 1992[65] | Mercator | 56 | Sea Anchor | Pretty Marinda | Rocky Mountain (Fra) | Chris Johnson | LM McKelvie | Royce & Linda Dowling, Cambridge | 3:20.07 Fast | Gallant Prince 49 | Waiau Pal 53.5 |
| 1991[66] | Carlton King | 55 | Sir Fleet | Rae's Choice | Blarney Kiss (USA) | Matthew Enright | E S & Mrs L E M Aroa & R T Boyce | Miss Diane Sergeant, Hastings | 3:19.12 Firm | Prince Haze 55 | Cameron 52 |
| 1990[67][68] | Soundoration | 50.75 | Sound Reason | Eulogy Maid | Pakistan II (GB) | Grant Davison | Southern No.1 Syndicate | Garth Jackson, Riccarton | 3:17.22 | Our Caddy 53 | Red Fox 50.5 |
| 1989[69] | Exocet | 53 | War Hawk II | Grand Zam | Zamazaan (Fra) | Brian Hibberd | MA & MG Peacock | Andrew Peacock, Hawke's Bay | 3:19.82 | Miss Stanima 49 | King Kenora 51 |
| 1988[70] | Gallipoli | 54.5 | Palatable (USA) | Quake | Pictavia | Garry Phillips | JE Bowden & WM Burgess | Patrick Busuttin, Foxton | 3:27.82 | Eye Full 53.5 | Shannon Lad 54 |
| 1987 | Empire Rose | 52.5 | Sir Tristram (Ire) | Summer Fleur | Sovereign Edition | Tony Allan | Whakanui Stud Ltd | Laurie Laxon, Cambridge | 3:20.20 Good | Prince Avila 53.5 | Blazing Voodoo 49 |
| 1986[71][72] | Oak Vue | 51 | Oakville | St Tropez | Entrepreneur (GB) | Grant Cooksley | Mrs S Wylies | Ralph Manning | 3:18.79 | Blyme 53.5 | Gold Zam 49 |
| 1985[73][74] | Samasaan | 50 | Zamazaan | Desert Love | Home Guard (USA) | Chris Johnson | Mike Bell, Ian H Harrison & Garth A Jackson | Garth Jackson, Riccarton | 3:17.55 | Secured Deposit 57 | Stylish Dude 51.5 |
| 1984[75][76] | Our Boyfriend | 53.5 | Roi Lear | Country Flapper | Agricola (GB) | Mark Barnsley | Mr & Mrs NT, Mr & Mrs OA Wyeth | Mrs Marlene Todd, Hastings | 3:20.15 | Manchu 55.5 | Belfe 51 |
| 1983[77][78] | Payco | 52 | Heir Apparent II | Ribroyal | Ribotlight (GB) | Brian Hibberd | Mesdames JP Brown & JE Chamberlain | Scott Hammersley, Woodville | 3:19.31 Fast | Prince Of Wales 53.5 | Gun For Fun 55 |
| 1982[79][80] | Sirtain | 53 | Retained II | Sirenic | Sabaean (GB) | Maree Lyndon | IM & Mrs Northcott | Max Northcott, New Plymouth | 3:21.36 | Goolay 50 | Double Trouble 51.5 |
| 1981[81] | Gold Bullion | 50.5 | Sucaryl | Sterling | Lionhearted (GB) | Garry Phillips | JL Swafford & EW Symes | Noel Eales, Woodville | 3:18.20 Firm | Despa 57 | Disraeli 52 |
| 1980[82] | Koiro Trelay | 53 | Trelay | Corrieann | Kurdistan | Phillip Smith | DG Canning | Eric Temperton, Awapuni | 3:20.22 | Schenley 53 | Tamaryn 52 |
| 1979[83] | Star Order | 55 | Final Orders | Lady Tyrone | County Tyrone | Eddie Low | JR & RK Dawson & Mrs MO McDonald | Eddie Low, Riccarton | 3:24.63 | Denali 51 | Red Ensign 52 |
| 1978[84] | Royal Cadenza | 57 | Bucaroon | Cadenza | Ayrshire Bard | Paul Hillis | BO Reed & JK Robb | Stuart Dromgool, Cambridge | 3:18.80 | Bahrain 54.5 | Hytest 50.75 |
| 1977[85] | Heidsieck | 52 | Hermes (GB) | Marise | Blue Coral | Bob Skelton | GR & Mrs Pollock | Fred Phillips, Matangi | 3:19.60 | Thomas Mellay 50.5 | Royal Dell 53.5 |
| 1976 | Andrew | 50 | Paracourt (Ire) | Abdication | Belvedere | David Wittington | D L & Mrs DR Ross | Lachie Ross, Hastings | 3:25.60 | Our Countess 51.5 | Wild Irish 57.5 |
| 1975[86] | Heidsieck | 48.5 | Hermes | Marise | Blue Coral | Bruce Compton | GR & Mrs Pollock | Fred Phillips, Matangi | 3:23.00 | Andrew 48 | Our Countess 54 |
| 1974[87] | Fury's Order | 57 | Indian Order (GB) | Our Fury | Le Filou (Fra) | Jim Walker | LH Bridgeman | Wally McEwan, Hawera | 3:20.40 | Roaming 53 | Heckle’s Choice 51 |
| 1973[88] | Watallan | 50 | Bellborough | Swanky | Beaumaris | Steve Allen | Wattie Latimer & J Mathieson | Brian Anderton, Wingatui | 3:22.60 | His Bestone 49 | Pole Star 52 |
| 1972[89] | Kartika | 7.13 | Fair's Fair (GB) | Queen Hestia | Precipitation (GB) | Jim Walker | C G & Mrs Taylor | Brian Deacon, Hawera | 3:22.0 | Golden Sam | Classico |
| 1971[90] | Princess Mellay[38] | 8.12 | Mellay (GB) | Princess Ermine | Beaumaris | Bob Skelton | Alice Anderton | Hec Anderton, Wingatui | 3:21.8 | Trelay | Josie Glow |
| 1970[91] | Princess Mellay | 7.12 | Mellay (GB) | Princess Ermine | Beaumaris | John Dowling | Alice Anderton | Hec Anderton, Wingatui | 3:28.0 | Trelay | Arrivederci |