Wellington Cup
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.
History
Inaugurated in 1874, the Wellington Cup has been raced over various distances:- 2 miles : 1874-1889
- miles : 1890-1941
- 2 miles : 1942-1973
- 3200 metres : 1974-2008
- 2400 metres : 2009-2015
- 3200 metres : 2016 onwards
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. In 2017 the race was downgraded again to Group Three status.
Queen Elizabeth II attended in 1970.
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. 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:
- Rachel Hunter and Rod Stewart in 1994.
- Sir Edmund Hillary was appropriately there to present the trophy to 1995 winner Ed along with Cheryl Ladd and One West Waikiki actor Richard Burgi.
- Jonah Lomu in 1996.
- Miss World winner Jacqueline Aguilera in 1997.
The biggest dividend paid for a Wellington Cup winner was $180 for Simon de Montfort, ridden by Brian Dodds in 1972. In the 1999 race Miss Bailey paid $143.70 for the win and in 2026 Manzor Blue paid $86.80.
The 2024 edition was on the last race-day of calling by Tony Lee, after a 40 year career.
Records
Speed record:- 3:15.59 - Daria's Fun for 3200 metres.
- 3:16.2 - Il Tempo for the pre-1974 distance of 2 miles.
- 2:26.65 - Maygrove over the 2400m journey raced from 2009 and 2015.
- 3 - Cynisca.
- 3 - Great Sensation.
- 3 - Castletown.
- 6 - Bob Derrett
- 6 - Roy Reed
- 5 - Bob Skelton
- 4 - Michael Moroney
Winners of the Wellington Cup since 1953
| Year | Winner | Wgt | Age | Sire | Dam | Jockey | Trainer | Owner | Time | Second | Third |
| 2026 | Manzor Blue | 53 | 5m | Almanzor | Turquoise Coast | Kate Hercock | Lisa Latta | Go Racing Amalfi Syndicate | 3:19.91 | Crouch 53 | Be Real 53 |
| 2025 | Wolfgang | 55 | 6g | Puccini | Navy Beach | Joe Doyle | Peter & Shaun McKay | Simms Davison, Kim & Peter McKay | 3:20.68 | Crouch 53 | Nest Egg 53 |
| 2024 | Mary Louise | 56 | 5m | The Bold One | Daisy Louise by Catbird | Craig Grylls | Robbie Patterson, New Plymouth | E M & N A Bourke & A R Piercy | 3:23.65 | Fierce Flight 58 | Canheroc 53 |
| 2023 | Leaderboard | 53 | 8g | Street Cry | Flower Fairy by Dynaformer | Joe Doyle | Mark Walker | Fortuna Leaderboard Syndicate | 3:33.01 | Contemplation 54 | Dionysus 57 |
| 2022 | Lincoln King | 56 | 7g | Shocking | Shi Kin Fly by Shinko King | Craig Grylls | Stephen Marsh | Lincoln Farms Bloodstock Ltd, Wellfield Holdings Ltd, Exempt Bloodstock Ltd, Stephen Marsh & Peter Gillespie | 3:23.21 | Starrybeel 55.5 | He No Opilio 54 |
| 2021 | Waisake | 53 | 6g | Zed | Kincia by Kinjite | Samantha Collett | Alan Sharrock, New Plymouth | LR Butler, JM & KA Horner, A & NJ Macdonald, B & E Menzies, PV Mullen, BC & MC Schumacher & SA Sharrock | 3:22.85 | Bluey's Chance 53 | Justamaiz 53 |
| 2020 | Soleseifei | 53 | 7m | Shocking | Evaline by Van Nistelrooy | Trudy Thornton | Jaimee-Lee Lupton, Waverley | L Ridge & Ms M Slagter | 3:20.03 | The Good Fight 54 | Toms 55.5 |
| 2019 | Gorbachev | 53 | 5g | Gorky Park | Gimmeawink by Carnegie | Ryan Elliot | Bryce Newman, Bulls | P Bardell, F J P Huwyler, B K O'Dea & K T O'Donnell | 3:22.49 | Dee And Gee 53 | Prince Jabeel 59 |
| 2018 | Magic Chai | 53 | 5g | Magic Albert | Chai by Viscount | Michael McNab | Tony Pike, Cambridge | MA & Mrs SL Treweek | 3:25.19 | Sampson 53 | Alinko Prince 53 |
| 2017 | Savaria | 56.5 | 5m | Savabeel | Amathea by O'Reilly | Hayden Tinsley | Roydon Bergerson, Awapuni | DP & Mrs KC Fleming | 3:21.90 | Jackstar 58 | Perfect Start 56.5 |
| 2016 | Mister Impatience | 52.5 | 6g | Hernando | Katy Nowaitee 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 | Pentathon 53 | Sampson 56 |
| 2015 | Maygrove | 52.5 | 5g | Authorized | Lady Zhivago by Zabeel | Matthew Cameron | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman, Cambridge | JML Bloodstock Ltd & PW O'Rourke | 2:26.65 | Perfect Start 53 | She's Insatiable 52 |
| 2014 | Graphic | 52 | 5g | Volksraad | Taitanium by Kingdom Bay | Craig Grylls | Michael Moroney & Chad Ormsby, Matamata | Christopher R & Susanna Grace | 2:29.30 | Skysoblue 53 | Guns At Five 57 |
| 2013 | Blood Brotha | 54 | 7g | Danzigill | Laura Dee by Personal Escort | Lisa Allpress | Raymond Connors, Bulls | M S & R M Connors | 2:31.32 | Annie Higgins 52.5 | Dolmabache 54 |
| 2012 | Six O'Clock News | 56 | 7g | Zabeel | Maurine by Harbor Prince | Leith Innes | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young, Cambridge | Six O'Clock News Syndicate | 2:31.33 | Spiro 58 | The Jungle Boy 56 |
| 2011 | Spiro | 53 | 5g | Pyrus | Radio Rocket by Blues Traveller | Kane Smith | Sylvia Kay, Levin | P J & Mrs S L Kay, Mrs A J, B T, J E & R L Maetzig | 2:28.82 | Six O’Clock News 54.5 | Loose Change 52.5 |
| 2010 | Red Ruler | 57 | 5g | Viking Ruler | Ransom Bay by Red Ransom | Mark Du Plessis | John Sargent, Matamata | R J Arculli, A R Meehan & G B Sargent | 2:27.42 | Awesome Planet 52.5 | Manonamission 55 |
| 2009 | Megapins | 52.5 | 5m | Pins | Instant Divorce by Fiesta Star | Trudy Thornton | John & Karen Parsons, Balcairn | W R Campbell et al. | 2:28.32 | Borninthestates 53 | Young Centaur 56.5 |
| 2008 | Young Centaur | 53.5 | 5g | Jeune | Centafit by Galopede | Michael Walker | John Sargent, Matamata | J G Sargent & A Soon Shiong | 3:22.15 | Resolution 52.5 | Mirkola Lass 57 |
| 2007 | Willy Smith | 55 | 5g | Volksraad | Sound Lear by Sound Reason | Matthew Cameron | Mark Todd, Cambridge | Mrs M K Hain & M McPhail | 3:22.11 | Mirkola Lass 53.5 | Everswindell 53 |
| 2006 | Envoy | 57.5 | 7g | Personal Escort | Sovereign Command by Bold Venture | Grant Cooksley | Ken Kelso, Matamata | K & B Kelso, R & J White | 3:22.38 | Viz Vitae 58 | Kajema 55.5 |
| 2005 | Zabeat | 53.5 | 5g | Rhythm | Zabest by Zabeel | Peter Johnson | Donna & Dean Logan, Ruakaka | A.M. Goodwin & Mrs. D.M. Logan | 3:20.73 | Gorgeous George 52 | From Heaven 52 |
| 2004 | Cluden Creek | 51.5 | 5g | Yamanin Vital | Fort Girl by Beaufort Sea | Andrew Calder | John Boon, Waverley | B Barber, W Purvis & A MacDonald | 3:26.49 | Bel Air 53.5 | Ebony Honour 52.5 |
| 2003 | Oarsman | 52.5 | 5g | The Son | Virginia Lake by Royal Loch | Gary Grylls | Paul Duncan | B E & R W Punch | 3:19.53 | Wolf Creek 51.5 | Mojo 52 |
| 2002 | Cyclades | 54.5 | 6g | Alleged Dash | Iris La Bonga by Inviting | Lance O'Sullivan | Cydne Evans, Waverley | D N & W E Pye | 3:20.20 | Ebony Honor 54 | Blanchard 54 |
| 2001 | Smiling Like | 52 | 6m | Star Way | Eustaci by Sir Tristram | Michael Walker | Graeme Rogerson | Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan | 3:22.04 | Ebony Honor 52 | Starina 52 |
| 2000 | Second Coming | 55 | 5m | Oak Ridge | Superior Miss by Bassenthwaite | Michael Coleman | Michael Moroney & Andrew Scott, Matamata | A J Burton, P S Lindberg, Paul Moroney & G G Peterson. | 3:20.93 | McDa Knife 51 | The Gifted Shifta 50.5 |
| 1999 | Miss Bailey | 51 | 7m | King's Island | In Style by Pakistan II | Leanne Isherwood | Grant Cullen, Hastings | Grant Cullen et al. | 3:21.91 | Emerald 51 | Beechwood Road 53 |
| 1998 | Aerosmith | 52 | 5g | Indian Ore | Luna di Miele by Barcas | Grant Cooksley | Peter & Nikki Hurdle, Awapuni | AB & DG Smith | 3:22.62 | Magnet Bay 52 | Altrista 56 |
| 1997 | Ed | 53 | 7g | Half Iced | Mount Joy by Noble Bijou | Lance O'Sullivan | Noel Eales, Awapuni | AJ & Mrs LM Crooks | 3:17.39 | Bonsai Pipeline 51.5 | Magnet Bay 56 |
| 1996 | Yes Indeed | 54.5 | 6g | Llanathony | Ivanip by Eastern Nip | Jock Caddigan | Michael Moroney, Matamata | DJ & Mrs MA Deegan | 3:17.85 | Magnet Bay 54 | Sapio 55 |
| 1995 | Ed | 52 | 5g | Half Iced | Mount Joy by Noble Bijou | Damien Oliver | Cecil Beckett, Riverton | AJ & Mrs LM Crooks | 3:18.25 | Yes Indeed 50.5 | All In Fun 57 |
| 1994 | Castletown | 58 | 7g | One Pound Sterling | Mona Curragh by Levmoss | Noel Harris | Patrick Busuttin, Foxton | PM Busuttin, BJ McCahill, KP Morris | 3:18.63 | Tawbeau 48.5 | Ultimate Aim 52.5 |
| 1993 | Dancing Lord | 48.5 | 6g | Nuage d'Or | Tingo Time by Bellissimo | Leanne Isherwood | MI Pearson, Hastings | KS Lee | 3:18.19 | Ebury 48 | Tall Emperor 49 |
| 1992 | Castletown | 58 | 5g | One Pound Sterling | Mona Curragh by Levmoss | Noel Harris | Patrick Busuttin, Foxton | PM Busuttin, BJ McCahill, KP Morris | 3:19.33 | Schnapps 50.5 | The Yapper 50 |
| 1991 | Castletown | 55 | 4g | One Pound Sterling | Mona Curragh by Levmoss | Noel Harris | Patrick Busuttin, Foxton | PM Busuttin, BJ McCahill, KP Morris | 3:18.37 | Shuzohra 55.5 | Coconut Ice 53 |
| 1990 | Flying Luskin | 54.5 | 5g | Luskin Star | Queen Amarco by Authentic Heir | Peter Johnson | Stephen & Trevor McKee, Takanini | Joe Karam, Trevor McKee, Peter J Walker, John A Wells | 3:20.52 | Lord Mellay 54 | All Nighter 52.5 |
| 1989 | Noble Khan | 48 | 7g | Royal Noble | Sharonette by Sharivari | Peter Ayres | Don Sellwood, Hastings | R J Fleetwood, Mrs M C Kuzmich, D G Terry & J A Willmott | 3:19.21 | Fleetward Lad 50.3 | Bouillan 48.5 |
| 1988 | Daria's Fun | 53.5 | 6m | Go Fun | Daria Song by Skyhawk | Gary Stewart | Mrs S E H Ellis | D A Hodgetts, D W Mayers & M D Richardson | 3:15.59 | Banderol 49.5 | Double Lang 51.5 |
| 1987 | Rastes | 49 | 6 | Super Grey | Sind by Sobig | Paul Taylor | Danny Walker | N K Allen, Miss P S Brough, P J Marron Jnr & R D Seivers | 3:22.56 | Blovinski 53.5 | Lu 51.5 |
| 1986 | Samasaan | 54 | 5 | Zamazaan | Desert Love by Home Guard | Chris Johnson | Garth Jackson, Riccarton | M R Bell, I H Harrison, G A Jackson | 3:23.22 | Curved Air 52 | Whitole 56 |
| 1985 | Imaprince | 51 | 4 | Heir Apparent II | Peka Princess by Bottle Top | Philip Mercer | Mick Preston, Otaki | J C Bell | 3:22.27 | Secured Deposit 57 | Duanette's Girl 49 |
| 1984 | Secured Deposit | 51.5 | 4 | Kirrama | Touch Money by Ironic | Neil Hain | Neville Atkins, Waiuku | Eileen Mackley, Dale Ralph & Neville Atkins | 3:22.6 | Isle of Man 54.5 | Suttle Knight 50.5 |
| 1983 | Kiwi | 50.5 | 5g | Blarney Kiss | Malrayvis by Messmate | Jimmy Cassidy | E S Lupton, Waverley | E S & Mrs Lupton | 3:20.29 | Maurita 50.5 | Macloud 50.5 |
| 1982 | Ruakuna | 53 | 6 | Alvaro | Te Ruahine by Sajakeda | Stephen Autridge | Leonie Pratt, Cambridge | M H Tims & Estate W J Pratt | 3:19.25 | Azawary 50 | Unique 48.5 |
| 1981 | Koiro Trelay | 53.5 | 5 | Trelay | Corrieann by Kurdistan | Phillip Smith | Eric Temperton, Awapuni | D G Canning | 3:18.75 | Arethusa 50 | Eruption 52.5 |
| 1980 | Cubacade | 52 | 6 | Alvaro | Robin Marie by Rawalpindi | Jim Walker | Don Couchman, Hawera | R & Mrs Gallagher | 3:23.51 | Zamalou 53 | Koiro Trelay 51.5 |
| 1979 | Big Gamble | 51 | 5 | Sobig | Gay Amber by Broiefort | Toby Autridge | Howie Mathews, Matamata | D P McLennan, H J & Mrs Tapper | 3:19.25 | Northfleet 49 | Magistrate 53 |
| 1978 | Good Lord | 58 | 6g | Zamazaan | Love in Bloom by Todman | David Peake | Ray Verner, Takanini | M L Hines | 3:18.00 | Big Gamble 49.5 | Caruba 51.5 |
| 1977 | Good Lord | 53 | 5g | Zamazaan | Love in Bloom by Todman | Bruce Compton | Ray Verner, Takanini | M L Hines | 3:24.5 | Show Gate 57 | Our Countess 53 |
| 1976 | Guest Star | 53.5 | 5 | Crest of the Wave | Queen's Navy by Bahershah | Maurice Campbell | Ivan & I R Tucker, Takanini | I J Tucker | 3:20.75 | Royal Dell 49.25 | Oopik 56.5 |
| 1975 | Timon | 52 | 6 | Oakville | Catalan by Oman | Gary Willets | Frederick Phillips, Matangi | G R Pollock | 3:23.00 | Guest Star 52 | Apollo Eleven 53 |
| 1974 | Battle Heights | 54 | 6g | Battle-Waggon | Wuthering Heights by Avocat General | Alwin Tweedie | Tim Douglas, Morrinsville | R F & Mrs Douglas | 3:23.5 | Manchero 48 | Rose Mellay 55.5 |
| 1973 | Rustler | 7.11 | 4 | Sobig | Verve by Ruthless | David Peake | Merv Ritchie, Takanini | J C & Mrs Fletcher | 3:20.75 | Glengowan | |
| 1972 | Simon de Montfort | 7.8 | 6 | Better Honey | De Montfort by Super | Brian Dodds | Fred Meynell, Hawera | Mrs T G Whenlan | 3:17.75 | Suttle | Duty Free |
| 1971 | Ansin | 7.4 | 5 | Cracksman | Fredrika by Jekyll | David Peake | Jack Winder, Te Rapa | M I Matulich | 3:19.25 | Princess Mellay | Spectre |
| 1970 | Il Tempo | 7.12 | 7 | Time and Again | Timing by Timanova | Neil Riordan | Bruce Priscott, Te Awamutu | W B Priscott | 3:16.75 | ||
| 1969 | City Court | 8.0 | 4 | Final Court | Melbourne by Underwood | Bob Skelton | Ray Wallace, Takanini | A K Sharp | 3:17.50 | Il Tempo | Spring Filou |
| 1968 | Loofah | 8.5 | 4 | Arragon | Lady Doss by Royal Arch | Bill Skelton | Buster O’Malley, Levin | A O’Malley | 3:20.25 | Bright Chief | Il Tempo |
| 1967 | Michael Molloy | 7.5 | 4 | Le Filou | Fianna Fail by Baffles | Murray Long | Jim Hely, Te Rapa | S Caddigan & Estate H P Long | 3:19.75 | Palisade | Red Siren |
| 1966 | Red Crest | 7.7 | 5 | Gigantic | Lovemorn by Nightly | Brian Andrews | Jack Winder, Te Rapa | I A McMullin & J F Rendle | 3:27.5 | Eiffel Tower | Clipjoint |
| 1965 | Eiffel Tower | 7.5 | 4 | Kurdistan | Bell Tower by Columcille | Midge Didham | Bill Hillis, Riverton | W E Hazlett | 3:22.75 | Dandeinee | Calm Court |
| 1964 | Gay Filou | 8.3 | 6 | Le Filou | Contrive by Contact | Grenville Hughes | Ivan McClure, Riccarton | D D Fea & R Smith | 3:21.25 | Polo Prince | Summer Regent |
| 1963 | Great Sensation | 9.7 | 10g | Cassock | Speedy by Irish Lancer | Bob Skelton | Mick Brown, Wingatui | D W Brown | 3:19 | Stipulate | Blue Blade |
| 1962 | Great Sensation | 9.6 | 9g | Cassock | Speedy by Irish Lancer | Bob Skelton | Mick Brown, Wingatui | D W Brown | 3:20 | Ruato | Marwon |
| 1961 | Great Sensation | 9.2 | 8g | Cassock | Speedy by Irish Lancer | Bob Skelton | Mick Brown, Wingatui | D W Brown | 3:17.5 | Quite Able | Ilumquh |
| 1960 | Jalna | 7.5 | 4 | Count Rendered | Mahzami by Nizami | Billy Smith | Dave Arnott, Te Aroha | H C Adams & P G Henwood | 3:18 | Sparkler | Great Sensation |
| 1959 | Ark Royal | Marco Polo | Battle Cruiser by Battle Song | Bob Skelton | Ashley Powell | G J Barton | 3:20.25 | ||||
| 1958 | Yeman | Sabaean | Wardress by Lord Warden | R J Jury | H Koran & S N Sparks | 3:19.0 | |||||
| 1957 | Sombrero | Someo | Seropuri by Bulandshar | Bill Broughton | Mrs G Wall | 3:21.0 | |||||
| 1956 | Fox Myth | Foxbridge | Nereid by Neptune | D J Wyatt | Harry S Limmer | Harry S Limmer | 3:21.25 | ||||
| 1955 | Golden Galleon | Admiral's Luck | Rosina by Nizami | L J Hodren | Sir Matthew Oram | 3:22.5 | |||||
| 1954 | Golden Tan | Golden Souvenir | Miss Tantrum by Siegfried | J Garth | G W Hartshone | 3:22.5 | |||||
| 1953 | Crimson King | Balloch | Lucetta by Captain Bunsby | M J Jennings | J McNeill | 3:22.0 |
Earlier winners
- 1952 - Reformed
- 1951 - Almora
- 1951 - Prawns
- 1950 - Beaumaris
- 1949 - Royal Tan
- 1948 - Spare Part
- 1947 - Bruce
- 1946 - Golden Souvenir
- 1945 - Lambourn
- 1944 - Don Quex
- 1943 - The Joker
- 1941 - Kindergarten
- 1941 - Happy Ending
- 1940 - Old Bill
- 1939 - Defaulter
- 1938 - Padishah
- 1937 - Ponty
- 1936 - Queen of Song
- 1935 - Vintage
- 1934 - Grand Jury
- 1933 - Royal Artist
- 1932 - Compris
- 1931 - Stanchion
- 1930 - Concentrate
- 1929 - Vertigern
- 1928 - Star Stranger
- 1927 - Rapier
- 1926 - Enthusiasm
- 1925 - Surveyor
- 1924 - Loughrea
- 1923 - Rapine
- 1922 - Insurrection
- 1921 - Maioha
- 1920 - Kilmoon
- 1919 - Red Ribbon
- 1919 - Rewi Poto
- 1919 - Oratress
- 1918 - Nobleman
- 1917 - Bunting
- 1916 - Bee
- 1915 - Pavlova
- 1914 - Kilrain
- 1913 - Sir Solo
- 1912 - Undecided
- 1911 - Miss Mischief
- 1910 - Crucinella
- 1909 - Blue Ribbon
- 1908 - Moloch
- 1907 - Achilles
- 1906 - Ropa
- 1905 - Nightfall
- 1904 - Convoy
- 1903 - Advance
- 1902 - St. Michael
- 1901 - Renown
- 1900 - Djin Djin
- 1899 - Daunt
- 1898 - Uniform
- 1897 - Strath Braan
- 1896 - Brooklet
- 1895 - Mahaki
- 1894 - Vogengang
- 1893 - Retina
- 1892 - Cynisca
- 1891 - Cynisca
- 1890 - Cynisca
- 1889 - Dudu
- 1888 - Beresford
- 1887 - Pasha
- 1886 - Nelson
- 1885 - Tasman
- 1884 - The Poet
- 1883 - Mischief
- 1882 - Hilda
- 1881 - Natator
- 1880 - Foul Play
- 1879 - Maritana
- 1878 - Lara
- 1877 - Guy Fawkes
- 1876 - Korari
- 1875 - Tambourini
- 1874 - Castaway
- 1868 - Numa
- 1867 - Policy