Great Northern Hurdles Explained

Class:	Prestige jumping
Horse Race:	Great Northern Hurdles
Location:	Ellerslie Racecourse Auckland, New Zealand
Race Type:	Thoroughbred - Jump Racing
Distance:	4190m/4200m
Surface:	Turf
Track:	Right-handed
Qualification:	Open
Weight:	Handicap
Purse:	NZ$125,000

The Great Northern Hurdles is one of New Zealand's feature jumping races.

History

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

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.^[1] From 2022 the race has been held at Te Rapa.

Race results

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer(s)	Sire	Dam	Damsire	Time	Second	Third
2023 (Te Rapa) ^[2]	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) ^[3]	Abu Dhabi 65 ^[4] ^[5]	Hamish McNeill	Shaun & Emma Clotworthy	Haradasun (Aus)	Tunzi	McGinty	5:08.67	Kajino 68.5	Banks Road 65
2021 (Te Aroha) ^[6] ^[7]	The Cossack 70.5^[8]	Shaun Phelan	Paul Nelson & Corrina McDougal	Mastercraftsman (Ire)	Stellardelmar	Galileo (Ire)	4:51.91	Dr Hank 65	Aigne 66.5
2020 (Ellerslie) ^[9]	The Cossack 65 ^[10]	Aaron Kuru	Paul Nelson & Corrina McDougal	Mastercraftsman (Ire)	Stellardelmar	Galileo (Ire)	5:11.09	Lake Superior 65	Aigne 69
2019 (Ellerslie) ^[11]	Bad Boy Brown 65.5 ^[12]	Isaac Lupton			Pay 'N' Display	Centaine (Aus)	5:27.73	Laekeeper 68.5	No Tip 67
2018 (Te Aroha) ^[13]	Jackfrost 67.5 ^[14] ^[15]	Buddy Lammas	Brian & Shane Anderton	Gallant Guru (Aus)	Vital Note	Yamanin Vital	5:05.53	Second Innings 65	Laekeeper 66
2017 (Ellerslie) ^[16]	Zedeedudadeeko 65.5 ^[17]	Charlie Stubbs	James Phillips	Zed	Cheeko Beeko	Straussbrook (Aus)	6:12.45	Storming Norman 65	Kipkeino 67
2016 ^[18]	D'Llaro 65	Brad McLean	Graeme Lord	D'Cash (Aus)	Random Quest	Random Chance	4:45.44	Raisafuasho 65	Ngatiro Gold 65
2015 ^[19]	Gagarin 66.5	Mathew Gillies	Kevin Myers	Pentire (GB)	Flying Chance	Centaine (Aus)	5:43.59	Mahanadi 65.5	Wee Biskit 68.5
2014 ^[20]	Wee Biskit 65	Isaac Lupton	Ken Duncan	Zed	Nancy Hope	Lord Ballina (Aus)	5:35.38	Gagarin 65	Real Treasure 65.5
2013 ^[21]	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 ^[22]	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 ^[23]	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 ^[24]	Mount Sinai 63	Shelley Houston	Ann Browne	Kilimanjaro (GB)	Kessem's Jewel	Kessem	5:22.61	Solid Steal	Southern Countess
2009 ^[25]	Kidunot 64.5	Daniel Bothamley	Ellis Winsloe	Gaius (Ire)	Red Alarm	Alarm Call (GB)	4:47.86	Ho Down 63	Western Line 63
2008 ^[26]	Montezuma 63	Tom Hazlett	Peter & Casey Lock	Generous (Ire)	Classic Shot	Zabeel	5:08.41	The Shoe 63	Mario 64.5
2007 ^[27]	Just Not Cricket 66	Jonathan Riddell	Paul Nelson	Corrupt (USA)	Koru	Diplomatic Agent (USA)	5:02.50	Pasco 63	Counter Punch 66
2006^[28]	Just Not Cricket 63.5	Jonathan Riddell	Paul Nelson	Corrupt (USA)	Koru	Diplomatic Agent (USA)	5:03.26	Yourtheman 63.5	Poacher 63

Previous winners

• 2005 ^[29] Starbo 64 (ridden by Laura Noel)
• 2004 ^[30] Cuchulainn 62 (Finbarr Leahy)
• 2003 ^[31] Narousa 63.5 (Tom Hazlett)
• 2002 Chibuli 61
• 2001 Smart Hunter 62 (Michelle Strawbridge)
• 2000 ^[32] Gold Story 60 (Finbarr Leahy)
• 1997 Clem (Chris Johnson)
• 1995 Lord Zirito (Peter G Tims)
• 1994 Tawhiti Road (M Brett Scott)
• 1987 Vincere 65 (G J Lord)
• 1986 Sutter's Gold 61.5 (P S Hillis)
• 1985 Gogong 61 (P S Hillis)
• 1984 Outright 60 (S J Jenkins)
• 1983 Jean Rapier 57.5 (L B Cavanagh)
• 1982 Mr Hickey 67.5 (S J Jenkins)
• 1981 Mark's Gold 60.5 (T R Gillies)
• 1980 Mr Hickey 62.5 (R L Rokeia)

See also

• Grand National Steeplechase (New Zealand)
• Thoroughbred racing in New Zealand

Notes and References

1. Web site: $100m worth of land for housing: Six hectares at Auckland Racing Club's Ellerslie to be sold .
2. Web site: Race 4 PETER KELLY- BAYLEYS GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at WAIKATO THOROUGHBRED RACING on 17 SEP 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
3. Web site: Race 4 PETER KELLY - BAYLEYS GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at WAIKATO RC on 18 SEP 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
4. Web site: Great Northern Hurdles - Abu Dhabi and Hamish McNeill. loveracing.nz.
5. Web site: Famous colours in upset Great Northern Hurdle victory. loveracing.nz.
6. Web site: Race 4 PAUL BIBBY MEMORIAL GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at RACING TE AROHA on 3 OCT 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
7. Web site: 2021 Great Northern Hurdle - The Cossack. loveracing.nz.
8. Web site: | New Zealand Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Federation. www.racehorseowner.co.nz.
9. Web site: Race 4 ARC GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at AUCKLAND RC on 17 OCT 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
10. Web site: Great Northern win a huge thrill for Hawke's Bay owner. NZ Herald.
11. Web site: Race 6 BOUTIQUE BODY CORPORATES GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at AUCKLAND RC on 7 SEP 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
12. Web site: Sweet revenge for Bad Boy Brown in Ellerslie jumping feature | NZ Racing News . Racingnews.co.nz . 2023-01-21.
13. Web site: Race 4 SCHWEPPES GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at AUCKLAND RC on 9 SEP 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
14. Web site: 5 mins to read . Racing: Chocolate Fish for job well done . NZ Herald . 2018-09-09 . 2023-01-21.
15. Web site: Chocolate Fish swims to Great Northern Steeplechase success. September 9, 2018. Stuff.
16. Web site: Race 5 SCHWEPPES GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at AUCKLAND RC on 9 SEP 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
17. Web site: Zedeedudadeeko revels in tough Great Northern Hurdle conditions. Tim. Ryan. September 9, 2017. Stuff.
18. Web site: Race 4 SCHWEPPES GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at AUCKLAND RC on 3 SEP 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
19. Web site: Race 5 SCHWEPPES GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at AUCKLAND RC on 5 SEP 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
20. Web site: Race 6 SCHWEPPES GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at AUCKLAND RC on 6 SEP 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
21. Web site: Race 5 MEADOW FRESH GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at AUCKLAND RC on 7 SEP 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
22. Web site: Race 5 MEADOW FRESH GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at AUCKLAND RC on 8 SEP 2012 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
23. Web site: Race 5 MEADOW FRESH GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at AUCKLAND RC on 3 SEP 2011 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
24. Web site: Race 5 GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at AUCKLAND RC on 4 SEP 2010 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
25. Web site: Race 5 FULLY FLEDGED @ FAIRDALE GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at AUCKLAND RC on 5 SEP 2009 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
26. Web site: Race 5 SKYCITY AUCKLAND GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at AUCKLAND RC on 6 SEP 2008 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
27. Web site: Race 5 FIRST SOVEREIGN TRUST GREAT NORTHERN HURDLE at AUCKLAND RC on 8 SEP 2007 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
28. Web site: Race 5 LINDAUER GREAT NORTHERN HURDLES at AUCKLAND RC on 9 SEP 2006 | LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
29. Web site: Starbo (NZ) 1997 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
30. Web site: Cuchulainn (NZ) 1992 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
31. Web site: Narousa (NZ) 1994 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ. loveracing.nz.
32. https://loveracing.nz/Breeding/169437/Gold-Story-NZ-1993.aspx#bm-overview