Wellington Cup

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ClassGroup 3
Inaugurated1874
Wellington Cup
Cluden Creek winning the 2004 Wellington Cup
ClassGroup 3
LocationTrentham Racecourse
Trentham
Wellington Region New Zealand
Inaugurated1874
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
WebsiteTrentham Racecourse
Race information
Distance3200 metres
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-Year-Olds and Up
WeightHandicap
PurseNZ$400,000 (2026)[1]

The Wellington Cup is a Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race in New Zealand held annually in January by the Wellington Racing Club at Trentham Racecourse in Trentham.

Inaugurated in 1874, the Wellington Cup has been raced over various distances:

  • 2 miles : 1874-1889
  • 1+12 miles : 1890-1941
  • 2 miles : 1942-1973
  • 3200 metres : 1974-2008
  • 2400 metres : 2009-2015
  • 3200 metres : 2016 onwards

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.[2]

The Wellington Cup is one of New Zealand's most famous and popular races and it generally offers stake money which belies its Group Three status. Wellington Cup day attracts large crowds to Trentham Racecourse and the other races on the card have include the Group Three Desert Gold Stakes and the Douro Cup. In the past years the Group One Thorndon Mile was on Wellington Cup day, it is now raced a week earlier along with the Trentham Stakes.

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. However, the race reverted to 3200m from 2016 to help encourage New Zealand stayers.[3] In 2017 the race was downgraded again to Group Three status.[4]

Queen Elizabeth II attended in 1970.[5]

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.[6] 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 was the 150th edition of the race.[7]

The biggest dividend paid for a Wellington Cup winner was $180 for Simon de Montfort, ridden by Brian Dodds in 1972.[8] In the 1999 race Miss Bailey paid $143.70 for the win and in 2026 Manzor Blue paid $86.80.[9]

The 2024 edition was on the last race-day of calling by Tony Lee, after a 40 year career.[10]

1954 racebook

Records

Speed record:

  • 3:15.59 - Daria's Fun (1988) for 3200 metres.
  • 3:16.2 - Il Tempo (1970) for the pre-1974 distance of 2 miles.
  • 2:26.65 - Maygrove (2015) over the 2400m journey raced from 2009 and 2015.

Most wins:

Most wins by a jockey:

  • 6 - Bob Derrett (1880, 1881, 1885, 1892, 1894, 1898)
  • 6 - Roy Reed (1919, 1920, 1921, 1923, 1928, 1932)
  • 5 - Bob Skelton (1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1969)[12]


Most wins by a trainer:

Winners of the Wellington Cup since 1953

Year[13]
Winner
Wgt
Age
Sire
Dam
Jockey
Trainer(s)
Owner
Time
Second
Third
2026[14]Manzor Blue[15][16]535mAlmanzorTurquoise CoastKate HercockLisa LattaGo Racing Amalfi Syndicate3:19.91 (good)Crouch 53Be Real 53
2025[17]Wolfgang[18]556gPucciniNavy BeachJoe DoylePeter & Shaun McKaySimms Davison, Kim & Peter McKay3:20.68 (good)Crouch 53Nest Egg 53
2024[19]Mary Louise[20]565mThe Bold OneDaisy Louise by Catbird (AUS)Craig GryllsRobbie Patterson, New PlymouthE M & N A Bourke & A R Piercy3:23.65 (soft)Fierce Flight 58Canheroc 53
2023 [21]Leaderboard538gStreet Cry (IRE)Flower Fairy (USA) by Dynaformer (USA)Joe DoyleMark WalkerFortuna Leaderboard Syndicate (Mgr: John Galvin)3:33.01 (heavy)Contemplation 54Dionysus 57
2022 [22]Lincoln King567gShocking (AUS)Shi Kin Fly by Shinko King (IRE)Craig GryllsStephen MarshLincoln Farms Bloodstock Ltd, Wellfield Holdings Ltd, Exempt Bloodstock Ltd, Stephen Marsh & Peter Gillespie3:23.21 (good)Starrybeel 55.5He No Opilio 54
2021 [23]Waisake53[24]6gZedKincia by KinjiteSamantha CollettAlan Sharrock, New PlymouthLR Butler, JM & KA Horner, A & NJ Macdonald, B & E Menzies, PV Mullen, BC & MC Schumacher & SA Sharrock3:22.85 (good)Bluey's Chance 53Justamaiz 53
2020 [25] Soleseifei [26]53 7m Shocking (AUS)Evaline by Van Nistelrooy (USA) Trudy Thornton Jaimee-Lee Lupton, Waverley [27] L Ridge & Ms M Slagter 3:20.03 (good) The Good Fight 54Toms 55.5
2019 [28] Gorbachev [29]53 5g Gorky ParkGimmeawink (AUS) by Carnegie (IRE) Ryan Elliot Bryce Newman, Bulls P Bardell, F J P Huwyler, B K O'Dea & K T O'Donnell 3:22.49 (good) Dee And Gee 53Prince Jabeel 59
2018 [30][31] Magic Chai [32]53 5g Magic Albert (AUS)Chai (AUS) by Viscount (AUS) Michael McNab Tony Pike, Cambridge MA & Mrs SL Treweek 3:25.19 (good) Sampson 53Alinko Prince 53
2017 [33][34] Savaria [35]56.5 5m SavabeelAmathea by O'Reilly Hayden Tinsley Roydon Bergerson, Awapuni DP & Mrs KC Fleming 3:21.90 (good) Jackstar 58Perfect Start 56.5
2016 [36] Mister Impatience[37]52.5 6g Hernando (FRA)Katy Nowaitee (GB) by Komaite 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 (good) Pentathon 53Sampson 56
2015 [38] Maygrove [39]52.5 5g Authorized (IRE)Lady Zhivago by Zabeel Matthew Cameron Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman, Cambridge JML Bloodstock Ltd (Mgr L Petagna) & PW O'Rourke 2:26.65 (2400m, good) Perfect Start 53She's Insatiable 52
2014 [40] Graphic52 5g Volksraad (GB)Taitanium by Kingdom Bay Craig Grylls Michael Moroney & Chad Ormsby, Matamata Christopher R & Susanna Grace[41] 2:29.30 (2400m, good) Skysoblue 53Guns At Five 57
2013 [42] Blood Brotha[43]54 7g Danzigill (AUS)Laura Dee (NZ) by Personal Escort (USA) Lisa Allpress Raymond Connors, Bulls M S & R M Connors 2:31.32 (2400m) Annie Higgins 52.5Dolmabache 54
2012 [44] Six O'Clock News56 7g Zabeel (NZ)Maurine (NZ) by Harbor Prince (USA) Leith Innes Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young, Cambridge Six O'Clock News Syndicate 2:31.33 (2400m) Spiro 58The Jungle Boy 56
2011 [45] Spiro53 5g Pyrus (USA)Radio Rocket (NZ) by Blues Traveller (IRE) 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 54.5Loose Change 52.5
2010 [46] Red Ruler57 5g Viking Ruler (AUS)Ransom Bay (USA) by Red Ransom (USA) Mark Du Plessis John Sargent, Matamata R J Arculli, A R Meehan & G B Sargent 2:27.42 (2400m) Awesome Planet 52.5Manonamission 55
2009 [47] Megapins [48]52.5 5m Pins (AUS)Instant Divorce (NZ) by Fiesta Star (AUS) Trudy Thornton John & Karen Parsons, Balcairn W R Campbell et al. 2:28.32 (2400m) Borninthestates 53Young Centaur 56.5
2008 [49][50] Young Centaur53.5 5g Jeune (GB)Centafit (NZ) by Galopede (NZ) Michael Walker John Sargent, Matamata J G Sargent & A Soon Shiong 3:22.15 Resolution 52.5Mirkola Lass 57
2007 [51] Willy Smith55 5g Volksraad (GB)Sound Lear (NZ) by Sound Reason (CAN) Matthew Cameron Mark Todd, Cambridge Mrs M K Hain & M McPhail 3:22.11 Mirkola Lass 53.5Everswindell 53
2006 Envoy57.5 7g Personal Escort (USA)Sovereign Command by Bold Venture (NZ) Grant Cooksley Ken Kelso, Matamata K & B Kelso, R & J White 3:22.38 Viz Vitae 58Kajema 55.5
2005[52] Zabeat53.5 5g Rhythm (USA)Zabest by Zabeel Peter Johnson Donna & Dean Logan, Ruakaka A.M. Goodwin & Mrs. D.M. Logan 3:20.73 Gorgeous George 52From Heaven 52
2004[53] Cluden Creek51.5 5g Yamanin VitalFort Girl by Beaufort Sea (USA) Andrew Calder John Boon, Waverley B Barber, W Purvis & A MacDonald 3:26.49 Bel Air 53.5Ebony Honour 52.5
2003 Oarsman52.5 5g The SonVirginia Lake by Royal Loch (IRE) Gary Grylls Paul Duncan B E & R W Punch 3:19.53 Wolf Creek 51.5Mojo 52
2002 Cyclades54.5 6g Alleged Dash (USA)Iris La Bonga (AUS) by Inviting (IRE) Lance O'Sullivan Cydne Evans, Waverley D N & W E Pye 3:20.20 Ebony Honor 54Blanchard 54
2001 Smiling Like52 6m Star Way (GB)Eustaci by Sir Tristram (IRE) Michael Walker Graeme Rogerson Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan 3:22.04 Ebony Honor 52Starina 52
2000[54] Second Coming55 5m Oak Ridge (FR)Superior Miss by Bassenthwaite (GB) Michael Coleman Michael Moroney & Andrew Scott, Matamata A J Burton, P S Lindberg, Paul Moroney & G G Peterson. 3:20.93 McDa Knife 51The Gifted Shifta 50.5
1999 Miss Bailey[55]51 7m King's Island (IRE)In Style by Pakistan II (GB) Leanne Isherwood[56] Grant Cullen, Hastings[57] Grant Cullen et al. 3:21.91 Emerald 51Beechwood Road 53
1998 Aerosmith52 5g Indian Ore (USA)Luna di Miele by Barcas (USA) Grant Cooksley Peter & Nikki Hurdle, Awapuni AB & DG Smith 3:22.62 Magnet Bay 52Altrista 56
1997[58] Ed53 7g Half Iced (USA)Mount Joy by Noble Bijou (USA) Lance O'Sullivan Noel Eales, Awapuni AJ & Mrs LM Crooks 3:17.39 Bonsai Pipeline 51.5Magnet Bay 56
1996 Yes Indeed54.5 6g LlanathonyIvanip by Eastern Nip (IRE) Jock Caddigan Michael Moroney, Matamata DJ & Mrs MA Deegan 3:17.85 Magnet Bay 54Sapio 55
1995[59] Ed52 5g Half Iced (USA)Mount Joy by Noble Bijou (USA) Damien Oliver Cecil Beckett, Riverton AJ (Bert) & Mrs LM (Margaret) Crooks 3:18.25 Yes Indeed 50.5All In Fun 57
1994[60] Castletown58 7g One Pound Sterling (GB)Mona Curragh (IRE) by Levmoss (IRE) Noel Harris Patrick Busuttin, Foxton PM Busuttin, BJ McCahill, KP Morris 3:18.63 Tawbeau 48.5Ultimate Aim 52.5
1993 Dancing Lord48.5 6g Nuage d'Or (USA)Tingo Time by Bellissimo (FR) Leanne Isherwood MI Pearson, Hastings KS Lee 3:18.19 Ebury 48Tall Emperor 49
1992 Castletown58 5g One Pound Sterling (GB)Mona Curragh (IRE) by Levmoss (IRE) Noel Harris Patrick Busuttin, Foxton PM Busuttin, BJ McCahill, KP Morris 3:19.33 Schnapps 50.5The Yapper 50
1991[61] Castletown55 4g One Pound Sterling (GB)Mona Curragh (IRE) by Levmoss (IRE) Noel Harris Patrick Busuttin, Foxton PM Busuttin, BJ McCahill, KP Morris 3:18.37 Shuzohra 55.5Coconut Ice 53
1990 Flying Luskin54.5 5g Luskin Star (AUS)Queen Amarco (AUS) by Authentic Heir (AUS) Peter Johnson Stephen & Trevor McKee, Takanini Joe Karam, Trevor McKee, Peter J Walker, John A Wells 3:20.52 Lord Mellay 54All Nighter 52.5
1989Noble Khan487gRoyal Noble (USA)Sharonette by Sharivari (USA)Peter AyresDon Sellwood, HastingsR J Fleetwood, Mrs M C Kuzmich, D G Terry & J A Willmott3:19.21Fleetward Lad 50.3Bouillan 48.5
1988Daria's Fun53.56mGo FunDaria Song by Skyhawk (GB)Gary StewartMrs S E H EllisD A Hodgetts, D W Mayers & M D Richardson3:15.59Banderol 49.5Double Lang 51.5
1987[62]Rastes496Super Grey (USA)Sind by SobigPaul TaylorDanny WalkerN K Allen, Miss P S Brough, P J Marron Jnr & R D Seivers3:22.56Blovinski 53.5Lu 51.5
1986Samasaan545Zamazaan (FR)Desert Love (IRE) by Home Guard (USA)Chris JohnsonGarth Jackson, RiccartonM R Bell, I H Harrison, G A Jackson3:23.22Curved Air 52Whitole 56
1985[63]Imaprince514Heir Apparent II (USA)Peka Princess by Bottle TopPhilip MercerMick Preston, OtakiJ C Bell3:22.27Secured Deposit 57Duanette's Girl 49
1984[64]Secured Deposit51.54KirramaTouch Money by Ironic (GB)Neil HainNeville Atkins, WaiukuEileen Mackley, Dale Ralph & Neville Atkins3:22.6Isle of Man 54.5Suttle Knight 50.5
1983Kiwi50.55gBlarney Kiss (USA)Malrayvis by Messmate (GB)Jimmy CassidyE S (Snow) Lupton, WaverleyE S & Mrs Lupton3:20.29Maurita 50.5Macloud 50.5
1982[65]Ruakuna536Alvaro (GB)Te Ruahine by Sajakeda (AUS)Stephen AutridgeLeonie Pratt, CambridgeM H Tims & Estate W J Pratt3:19.25Azawary 50Unique 48.5
1981[66]Koiro Trelay53.55TrelayCorrieann by Kurdistan (GB)Phillip SmithEric Temperton, AwapuniD G Canning3:18.75Arethusa 50Eruption 52.5
1980[67]Cubacade526Alvaro (GB)Robin Marie by Rawalpindi (GB)Jim WalkerDon Couchman, HaweraR & Mrs Gallagher3:23.51Zamalou 53Koiro Trelay 51.5
1979[68]Big Gamble515SobigGay Amber by Broiefort (FR)Toby AutridgeHowie Mathews, MatamataD P McLennan, H J & Mrs Tapper3:19.25Northfleet 49Magistrate 53
1978 [69]Good Lord586gZamazaan (FR)Love in Bloom (AUS) by Todman (AUS)David PeakeRay Verner, TakaniniM L Hines3:18.00Big Gamble 49.5Caruba 51.5
1977Good Lord535gZamazaan (FR)Love in Bloom (AUS) by Todman (AUS)Bruce ComptonRay Verner, TakaniniM L Hines3:24.5Show Gate 57Our Countess 53
1976[70]Guest Star53.55Crest of the Wave (GB)Queen's Navy by Bahershah (GB)Maurice CampbellIvan & I R Tucker, TakaniniI J Tucker3:20.75Royal Dell 49.25Oopik 56.5
1975Timon526Oakville (GB)Catalan by Oman (FR)Gary WilletsFrederick Phillips, MatangiG R Pollock3:23.00Guest Star 52Apollo Eleven 53
1974Battle Heights546gBattle-Waggon (GB)Wuthering Heights by Avocat General (IRE)Alwin TweedieTim Douglas, MorrinsvilleR F & Mrs Douglas3:23.5Manchero 48Rose Mellay 55.5
1973Rustler7.114SobigVerve by RuthlessDavid PeakeMerv Ritchie, TakaniniJ C & Mrs Fletcher3:20.75Glengowan
1972Simon de Montfort7.86Better Honey (GB)De Montfort by Super (GB)Brian DoddsFred Meynell, HaweraMrs T G Whenlan3:17.75SuttleDuty Free
1971Ansin7.45CracksmanFredrika by Jekyll (GB)David PeakeJack Winder, Te RapaM I Matulich3:19.25Princess MellaySpectre
1970Il Tempo7.127Time and Again (IRE)Timing by Timanova (GB)Neil RiordanBruce Priscott, Te AwamutuW B Priscott3:16.75
1969City Court8.04Final Court (GB)Melbourne by Underwood (GB)Bob SkeltonRay Wallace, TakaniniA K Sharp3:17.50Il TempoSpring Filou
1968Loofah8.54Arragon (GB)Lady Doss by Royal Arch (GB)Bill SkeltonBuster O’Malley, LevinA O’Malley3:20.25Bright ChiefIl Tempo
1967Michael Molloy7.54Le Filou (FR)Fianna Fail by Baffles (GB)Murray LongJim Hely, Te RapaS Caddigan & Estate H P Long3:19.75PalisadeRed Siren
1966Red Crest7.75GiganticLovemorn by NightlyBrian Andrews[71]Jack Winder, Te RapaI A McMullin & J F Rendle3:27.5Eiffel TowerClipjoint
1965Eiffel Tower7.54Kurdistan (GB)Bell Tower by Columcille (GB)Midge DidhamBill Hillis, RivertonW E Hazlett3:22.75DandeineeCalm Court
1964Gay Filou8.36Le Filou (FR)Contrive by Contact (AUS)Grenville HughesIvan McClure, RiccartonD D Fea & R Smith3:21.25Polo PrinceSummer Regent
1963Great Sensation9.710gCassock (GB)Speedy by Irish Lancer (GB)Bob SkeltonMick Brown, WingatuiD W Brown3:19StipulateBlue Blade
1962Great Sensation9.69gCassock (GB)Speedy by Irish Lancer (GB)Bob SkeltonMick Brown, WingatuiD W Brown3:20RuatoMarwon
1961Great Sensation9.28gCassock (GB)Speedy by Irish Lancer (GB)Bob SkeltonMick Brown, WingatuiD W Brown3:17.5Quite AbleIlumquh
1960Jalna7.54Count Rendered (GB)Mahzami by Nizami (FR)Billy SmithDave Arnott, Te ArohaH C Adams & P G Henwood3:18SparklerGreat Sensation
1959Ark RoyalMarco Polo (FR)Battle Cruiser by Battle Song (GB)Bob SkeltonAshley PowellG J Barton3:20.25
1958YemanSabaean (GB)Wardress by Lord Warden (GB)R J JuryH Koran & S N Sparks3:19.0
1957SombreroSomeo (IRE)Seropuri by Bulandshar (GB)Bill BroughtonMrs G Wall3:21.0
1956Fox MythFoxbridge (GB)Nereid by Neptune (GB)D J WyattHarry S LimmerHarry S Limmer3:21.25
1955Golden GalleonAdmiral's Luck (GB)Rosina by Nizami (FR)L J HodrenSir Matthew Oram3:22.5
1954Golden TanGolden SouvenirMiss Tantrum by Siegfried (GB)J GarthG W Hartshone3:22.5
1953Crimson KingBalloch (GB)Lucetta by Captain Bunsby (GB)M J JenningsJ McNeill3:22.0

Earlier winners

See also

References

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