Great New Zealand Hurdle


The Great New Zealand Hurdle formerly known as the Great Northern Hurdles is one of New Zealand's feature jumping races.

History

In June 1971 Brian 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.
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:
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. 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.
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.
Paul Nelson has won the three race times as a sole trainer and four times in partnership with Corrina McDougal:
  • Chibuli
  • Just Not Cricket
  • The Cossack
  • Nedwin
  • Taika.
No other trainer has won the race more than four times.

Previous results

The following are previous winning horses, weight carried and jockeys.
  • 2005 Starbo 64
  • 2004 Cuchulainn 62
  • 2003 Narousa 63.5
  • 2002 Chibuli 61
  • 2001 Smart Hunter 62
  • 2000 Gold Story 60
  • 1999 Adipose David 60
  • 1998 Sir Avion 61
  • 1997 Clem
  • 1996 Salezaar 60.5
  • 1995 Lord Zirito
  • 1994 Tawhiti Road 63.5
  • 1991 After Noon 60
  • 1990 Star Count 61
  • 1987 Vincere 65
  • 1986 Sutters Gold 61.5
  • 1985 Gogong 61
  • 1984 Outright 60
  • 1983 Jean Rapier 57.5, also won the 1983 Grand National Hurdles
  • 1982 Mr Hickey 67.5
  • 1981 Mark's Gold 60.5
  • 1980 Mr Hickey 62.5
  • 1979 Odland 58
  • 1978 Leyland 61
  • 1977 Owhata Chief 67
  • 1976 Thun 63.5
  • 1975 Execute 68
  • 1974 Cobland 60
  • 1973 Beau Rouge 9st3
  • 1972 Transall 9st3
  • 1971 Brockton 9st1
  • 1970 Matanuku Blue 9st
  • 1969 Foxonewa 10st4
  • 1968 Lordtuckey 9st7, also won the 1968 Grand National Hurdles
  • 1967 Beyond 9st4
  • 1966 Macdonald 9st4
  • 1965 Smoke Ring 11st5
  • 1964 Smoke Ring 9st4, also won the 1964 Grand National Hurdles
  • 1963 Elrey 9st8
  • 1962 Elrey 9st1
  • 1961 Lord Oman 9st
  • 1960 Fend 9st7
  • 1959 Nupla 9st10
  • 1958 Lochgair 9st13
  • 1957 Meresun 9st, also won the 1958 Grand National Hurdles
  • 1956 Hit Parade 9st9
  • 1955 Solar Mist 10st13
  • 1954 Solar Mist 9st11, also won the 1955 Grand National Hurdles
  • 1953 Coppice 9st13, also won the 1953 Grand National Hurdles
  • 1952 Royalcille 9st
  • 1951 Cornishman 10st3
  • 1950 Paul 9st6
  • 1949 Kauri Pine 10st8
  • 1948 South Riding 9st1
  • 1947 Hunting Mac 10st1, also won the 1949 Grand National Hurdles
  • 1946 Bramble Song 9st4, also won the 1946 Grand National Hurdles
  • 1945 Good Armour 9st
  • 1944 Hunto 10st10
  • 1943 Town Survey 9st1, also won the 1943 Grand National Hurdles
  • 1942 Erndale 10st2
  • 1941 Esperance Bay 9st8
  • 1940 Streamline 10st
  • 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