Great Northern Steeplechase

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Great Northern Steeplechase
Prestige jumping race
LocationTe Rapa, Te Aroha, Ellerslie Racecourse
Auckland, New Zealand
Race typeThoroughbred - Jump Racing
Race information
Distance6400 m
SurfaceTurf
TrackRight-handed
QualificationOpen
WeightHandicap
PurseNZ$150,000 (2023)

The Great Northern Steeplechase is New Zealand's richest steeplechase jumping race. The race exceeds six kilometres, making it New Zealand's longest horse race, and usually takes over eight minutes to complete. It is one of the great tests of stamina and fitness in thoroughbred racing, for both horse and rider. It is run in winter when the grass tracks are soft or heavy.

Location and scheduling[edit]

For most of its life the race was run over 6,400 metres (21,000 ft) at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland. The contestants cleared 25 jumps during the 6400m race. A notable feature of the race was the Ellerslie Hill, on the eastern side of the steeplechase course, which the horses must climb three times during the race.

The race was called the DB Draught Steeplechase in the 1990s when sponsored by DB Breweries.

The race has been run in early September since 2005, after previously being held in early June. The Great Northern steeplechase is now raced on the same day as the Great Northern Hurdles.

The race was moved to Te Aroha in:

  • 2018, raced over 6300m, due to a track upgrade at Ellerslie
  • 2021, raced over 6200m on October 3, due to COVID-19 restrictions in Auckland.

The race is no longer held at Ellerslie after the Auckland Racing Club sold land for housing development.[1] From 2022 the race has been held at Te Rapa.

History[edit]

The inaugural race was won by Macaroni, who carried a weight of 12 stone (76 kg). The record weight carried to victory was 12 stone 13 lb (82.5 kg) by Kiatere in 1907. One of the most notable winners of the race was Hunterville, who won the race three times in 1983, 1984 and 1985. Hypnotize also achieved three victories, following wins in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

The fastest winning time was 7:39.35 by Ballycastle in 1978, and the slowest was 9:31.50 by Wise Men Say in 2017. There was a dead-heat in 2001 between Smart Hunter, which had won the Great Northern Hurdles two days earlier, and Sir Avion, which had won the Great Northern Hurdles in 1998. It was the first dead-heat in a major New Zealand jumping race since the Otago Steeplechase in 1918.[2]

Ken and Ann Browne won the Great Northern Steeplechase a record nine times with Ascona (1977 and 1979), Ardri (1990), Brother Bart (1991), Lord Tennyson (1992), Sydney Jones (1995 and 1997), Smart Hunter (2001, dead-heated with Sir Avion) and Wanderlust (2004). [3] After Ken's death, Ann Browne has won the race with Fair King (2009), Ima Heroine (2011) and Tom's Myth (2012).

In 1986 Trudy Thornton was the first woman to ride in a Great Northern Steeplechase. [4] In 1995, Tina Egan was the first woman jockey to win the race.

The 2012 winner, Tom’s Myth, was the first horse to win the Wellington Steeplechase, Pakuranga Hunt Cup and Great Northern in the same season.

Recent results[edit]

Year
 Winner
 Breeding
 Jockey
 Trainer(s)
 Time
 Second
 Third
2023 (Te Rapa)[5] West Coast 73 Mettre En Jeu - Testament Shaun Fannin Mark Oulaghan 8.02.14 (6500m) Captains Run 66 The Cossack 73
2022 (Te Rapa) [6] Kiddo 65 Istidaad (USA) - Kitty O'Reilly Shaun Fannin Kevin Myers 8:18.64 (6500m) Donardo 65 The Anarchist 65
2021 (Te Aroha) [7] Te Kahu[8] 65 Zacinto (GB) - Midnight Owl Matthew Cropp[9] Dan O'Leary, Marton 7:43.24 (6200m) Zartan 65 No Tip 65
2020 [10] Magic Wonder 65 Eighth Wonder (NZ) - Magic Flight Shaun Fannin Jo Rathbone 7:42.47 Napoleon 65 Shamal 70
2019 [11] Wise Men Say 69 Yamanin Vital (NZ) - Vaguely Famous Shaun Fannin Raymond Connors 8:48.79 Kings Kite 65 Crash Bandicott 66.5
2018 (Te Aroha)[12] Chocolate Fish[13] 65 Colombia (NZ) - Saveur Shaun Phelan Shane Brown 8:08.47 (6300m) Perry Mason 65 Shamal 68
2017[14] Wise Men Say[15] 68 Yamanin Vital (NZ) - Vaguely Famous Isaac Lupton Raymond Connors 9:31.50 Upper Cut 70.5 Tizza Secret 65
2016[16] Kick Back 65 Bahhare (USA) - Take Three Shaun Fannin Kevin Myers 8:08.65 Almanood Lad 67 Zed Case 65
2015[17] Jack Romanov 65 Ustinov (Aus) - Colmerino Richard Cully Mark Brooks 8:50.20 Snodroptwinkletoes 65 Amanood Lad 70
2014[18] Amanood Lad 67 Germano (GB) - Anood Dash Craig Thornton Ben Foote 9:04.82 Tobouggie Nights 68 Red Hot 65
2013 [19] Rangatira 65 Deputy Governor (USA) - Aggie Grey Isaac Lupton Steve Gulliver 8:23.85 Kidunot 68 Karlos 68
2012 [20] Tom's Myth 68 Rainbow Myth (NZ) - Tom's Jewel Shaun Phelan Ann Browne 8:25.07 Myths And Legends 67.5 Cape Kinaveral 68
2011 [21] Ima Heroine 63.5 Heroicity (Aus) - Ima Hunter Mathew Gillies Ann Browne 8:37.55 Myths And Legends 63 Hypnotize 71.5
2010 [22] Hypnotize 70.5 Yamanin Vital (NZ) - Auburn Rose Isaac Lupton Raymond Connors 8:45.50 Karlos 63 Fair King 65.5
2009 [23] Fair King 64.5 Kingfisher Mill (USA) - Fair Sister James Gillies Ann Browne 8:02.66 Hypnotize 69.5 Volkswagin 63
2008 [24] Hypnotize[25] 68.5 Yamanin Vital (NZ) - Auburn Rose Isaac Lupton Raymond Connors 8:15.71 Franconero 63 Fair King 64
2007 [26] Hypnotize 65 Yamanin Vital (NZ) - Auburn Rose Isaac Lupton Raymond Connors 8:24.25 Stitched 66 The Storytella 63
2006 [27] Real Tonic 66.5 Victory Dance (Ire) - Bantan Brett Scott John Wheeler 8:50.48 I'manace 63 Fenman 62
2005 Just The Man 62 [28] Isle Of Man (NZ) - Albatross Road Joanne Rathbone Davina Waddell 7:41.44 The Storytella 63 Bart 65
2004 Wanderlust 65.5 [29] Globetrotter (NZ) - Hauma Michelle Hopkins Ann & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge 8:18.30 Aquaria Dancer 62 Golden Flare 68
2003 Golden Flare 63 [30] Touching Wood (USA) - Golden Glow Clayton Chipperfield Raylene Whiteside 8:05.98 Cool Conductor 63 Royal Ways 65
2002 Golden Flare 60 [31] Touching Wood (USA) - Golden Glow Clayton Chipperfield Raylene Whiteside 8:06.02 Cool Conductor 60 Royal Ways 63
2001 Smart Hunter 60.5 (Dead-heat) [32] Ivory Hunter (USA) - Jeanne's Jest Michelle Hopkins Ann & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge 8:21.45 - Wickerman 60
2001 Sir Avion 60 (Dead-heat) [33] Sir Sian (NZ) - Avion Wayne Hillis Kevin O'Connor 8:21.45 - " "
2000 Royal Ways 63.5 [34] Crossways (GB) - Royal Auk Joseph Douglas Tony Cole 8:23.17 Our Jonty 64 Fair Brother 64
1999 Royal Ways 60 [35] Crossways (GB) - Royal Auk Joseph Douglas Tony Cole 8:09.17 Just Red 60 Sel Tee 62
1998 Our Jonty 64 [36] Random Chance (NZ) - Lal's Gift Raymond Connors Kevin Myers 7:51.25 Lost In The Rain 64 Kildary King 61
1997 Sydney Jones 66.5 [37] Sir Sydney (NZ) - Tua Rangi Brett McDonald Ann & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge 8:38.73 Flash Hunter 66 Our Jonty 61
1996 Classic Heights 62 [38] Sir Tristram (Ire) - Catena Gold Paul Fitzgerald Tim Douglas 8:18.05 Just Red 64 Joyful Dude 64
1995 Sydney Jones 65[39] Sir Sydney (NZ) - Tua Rangi Tina Egan Ann & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge 8:39.16 Joyful Dude 65 Classic Heights 60
1994 Ellivani 64.5 [40] Palm Beach (Fra) - Ina Ville Brian Constable John Twomey 7:47.18 Bwana 64 Propel 62
1993 Sir Barton 63.5[41] Sir Bart (NZ) - Confront Chad Northcott Max Northcott 8:06.56 Bwana 64 Red Impact 61
1992 Lord Tennyson 60.5 [42] Royal Plume (GB) - Noode Brett McDonald Ann & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge 8:07.38 The Image Maker 60.3 Desperino 60.8
1991 Brother Bart 60.5 [43] Sir Bart (NZ) - Sister Sarah Craig Thornton Ann & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge 8:16.60 The Image Maker 59.5 Brigadier Puckle 60.8
1990 Ardri 59.5 [44] Bally Royal (GB) - Aramusha Ken Browne Ann & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge 8:33.53 Zamarino 60 Count Five 64
1989 Tumblin’ Down 61 [45] Dodger (NZ) - Maria Dallas Toby Autridge[46] Michael Moroney 8:20.29 Yamani 61 High Impact 60.3
1988 Heddawin 59.3 [47] Head Hunter (GB) - Winagan Wayne Hillis John Bullock 8:10.41 Vincere 60.5 Seeyoulatee 60.5
1987 Deductable 59.5 [48] Kirrama (NZ) - Happy Return Paul Hillis Colin Jillings & Richard Yuill 8:22.40 Orca 61.3 Seeyoulater 61
1986 Rock Crystal 59.5 A M Cowan 8:14.23
1985 Hunterville 66.5 D M Gray 7:52.02
1984 Hunterville 65.5 D M Gray 8:18.58
1983 Hunterville 62 D M Gray 8:01.99
1982 Mountain Gold 59 L Cavanagh 8:13.05
1981 Bean's Beau 63 B Waters 7:59.47
1980 Guess Who 63.5 S Jenkins 8:27.56
1979 Ascona 60 Ken Browne 8:19.32
1978 Ballycastle 63 G Cooksley 7:39.35
1977 Ascona 57.5 Ken Browne 8:52.00
1976 Loch Linnhe 69 B R Tims 8:08.6
1975 Loch Linnhe 65.5 W J Hillis 8:00
1974 Specialist 57.5 G A Walters 7:51
1973 Bob's Luck 9st G N Scanlon 8:00
1972 Brockton 9st 12 B L Hillis 8:10
1971 Brockton 9st B L Hillis 8:10

Previous winners[edit]

[49]

  • 1970 - Spray Doone
  • 1969 - Falada
  • 1968 - Royal Polo
  • 1967 - Eiffel Tower[50]
  • 1966 - Confer
  • 1965 - Smoke Ring
  • 1964 - Johnny Dee [51]
  • 1963 - Blue Rock
  • 1962 - Sabre [52]
  • 1961 - Patrick Molloy
  • 1960 - Patrick Molloy
  • 1959 - Ben Vola
  • 1958 - Irish Ace
  • 1957 - Knight's Star
  • 1956 - Hit Parade
  • 1955 - Every Time
  • 1954 - Dunwold
  • 1953 - Dunwold
  • 1952 - Dural
  • 1951 - Redingote
  • 1950 - Jon Rosa
  • 1949 - Golden Reign
  • 1948 - Brookby Song
  • 1947 - Brookby Song
  • 1946 - Our Nation
  • 1945 - Dauber
  • 1944 - Dozie Boy
  • 1943 - Chat
  • 1942 - Dozie Boy
  • 1941 - Streamline
  • 1940 - All Irish
  • 1939 - Survey
  • 1938 - Valpeen
  • 1937 - Irish Comet
  • 1936 - Billy Boy
  • 1935 - Royal Limond
  • 1934 - Valpeen
  • 1933 - Callamart
  • 1932 - Copey
  • 1931 - Master Lu
  • 1930 - Aurora Borealis
  • 1929 - Uralia
  • 1928 - Glendowie
  • 1927 - Beau Cavalier
  • 1926 - Dick
  • 1925 - Sir Rosebery
  • 1924 - Sir Rosebery
  • 1923 - Mary Bruce
  • 1922 - Sea De'il
  • 1921 - Coalition
  • 1920 - Lochella
  • 1919 - Master Lupin
  • 1918 - Waimai
  • 1917 - Gluepot
  • 1916 - El Gallo
  • 1915 - El Gallo
  • 1914 - Peary
  • 1913 - Bercola
  • 1912 - Hautere
  • 1911 - Corazon
  • 1910 - Red McGregor
  • 1909 - Capitol
  • 1908 - Loch Fyne
  • 1907 - Kiatere
  • 1906 - Sol
  • 1905 - Kiatere
  • 1904 - Moccasin
  • 1903 - Haydn
  • 1902 - The Guard
  • 1901 - Moifaa
  • 1900 - Voltigeur II
  • 1899 - Dummy
  • 1898 - Muscatel
  • 1897 - Levanter
  • 1896 - Levanter
  • 1895 - Liberator
  • 1894 - Bombardier
  • 1893 - Despised
  • 1892 - Shillelagh
  • 1891 - Parnell
  • 1890 - Jenny
  • 1889 - Don
  • 1888 - Allegro
  • 1887 - Silvio
  • 1886 - Belle
  • 1885 - Macaroni

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "$100m worth of land for housing: Six hectares at Auckland Racing Club's Ellerslie to be sold".
  2. ^ "Historic dead heat in 2001 Great Northern Steeplechase".
  3. ^ "TRIBUTE: Ken Browne, time-defying NZ jumps legend".
  4. ^ "Trudy Thornton defying age with strong start". 24 January 2014.
  5. ^ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/52272/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  6. ^ "Race 7 BEN FOOTE RACING GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at WAIKATO RC on 18 SEP 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  7. ^ "Race 5 DIPROSE MILLER GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at RACING TE AROHA on 3 OCT 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  8. ^ "Thrilling finish to Great Northern Steeplechase | NZ Racing News".
  9. ^ "Cropp keeps it in the family with Great Northern win".
  10. ^ "Race 6 ARC GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at AUCKLAND RC on 17 OCT 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  11. ^ "Race 8 NETWORK VISUALS GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at AUCKLAND RC on 7 SEP 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  12. ^ "Race 7 IRVINES GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at AUCKLAND RC on 9 SEP 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  13. ^ "Chocolate Fish swims to Great Northern Steeplechase success". 9 September 2018.
  14. ^ "Race 7 IRVINES GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at AUCKLAND RC on 9 SEP 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  15. ^ "Sixth Great Northern Steeplechase win - White Robe Lodge".
  16. ^ "Race 6 MEADOW FRESH GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at AUCKLAND RC on 3 SEP 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  17. ^ "Race 7 MEADOW FRESH GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at AUCKLAND RC on 5 SEP 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  18. ^ "Race 8 MEADOW FRESH GREAT NORTHERN STEEPLECHASE at AUCKLAND RC on 6 SEP 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  19. ^ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/42085/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  20. ^ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/40698/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  21. ^ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/39431/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  22. ^ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/38181/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  23. ^ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/37060/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  24. ^ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/36127/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  25. ^ "Hypnotize wins Great Northern Steeplechase again > Australia and International Horse Racing news updated daily".
  26. ^ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/35118/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  27. ^ https://loveracing.nz/RaceInfo/33852/7/Race-Detail.aspx
  28. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/205080/Just-The-Man-NZ-1996.aspx#bm-overview
  29. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/166244/Wanderlust-NZ-1992.aspx#bm-overview
  30. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/153032/Golden-Flare-NZ-1991.aspx#bm-overview
  31. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/153032/Golden-Flare-NZ-1991.aspx#bm-overview
  32. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/156034/Smart-Hunter-NZ-1991.aspx#bm-overview
  33. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/164611/Sir-Avion-NZ-1992.aspx#bm-overview
  34. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/149865/Royal-Ways-NZ-1990.aspx#bm-overview
  35. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/149865/Royal-Ways-NZ-1990.aspx#bm-overview
  36. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/153458/Our-Jonty-NZ-1991.aspx#bm-overview
  37. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/110836/Sydney-Jones-NZ-1988.aspx#bm-overview
  38. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/52491/Classic-Heights-NZ-1985.aspx#bm-overview
  39. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/110836/Sydney-Jones-NZ-1988.aspx#bm-overview
  40. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/11852/Ellivani-NZ-1982.aspx#bm-overview
  41. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/37789/Sir-Barton-NZ-1983.aspx#bm-overview
  42. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/23404/Lord-Tennyson-NZ-1985.aspx#bm-overview
  43. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/5917/Brother-Bart-NZ-1984.aspx#bm-overview
  44. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/1857/Ardri-NZ-1980.aspx#bm-overview
  45. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/43490/Tumblin-Down-NZ-1980.aspx#bm-overview
  46. ^ "Emotions high ahead of ultimate tribute to Toby Autridge". 6 June 2022.
  47. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/16741/Heddawin-NZ-1979.aspx#bm-overview
  48. ^ https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/10056/Deductable-NZ-1980.aspx#bm-overview
  49. ^ Costello, John and Finnegan, Pat (1988). Tapestry of Turf. Moa Publications.
  50. ^ "Hazlett, William Edgar".
  51. ^ "Racing: The race of many great memories".
  52. ^ "Racing: Great Northern attracts legends".
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