The Great New Zealand Steeplechase is New Zealand's richest steeplechase jumping race. Until 2025, the race was known as the Great Northern Steeplechase. 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
For most of its life the race was run over 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 was raced on the same day as the Great Northern Hurdles.
The race was moved to Te Aroha in 2018 and 2021. In 2018, this was due to a track upgrade at Ellerslie, and the race was therefore held over 6300m. In 2021, this was due to COVID-19 restrictions in Auckland and the race was therefore held over 6200m on October 3.
The race is no longer held at Ellerslie after the Auckland Racing Club sold land for housing development. From 2022 to 2024 the race has been held at Te Rapa over 6500m.
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.
History
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.
From 1885 until 1925 the Great Northern Steeplechase was raced over three and a half miles and from 1926 to 1946 it was three and three quarters of a mile. The race was increased to four miles from 1947 and became 6400m in 1974.Spooner, B. M., New Zealand Turf Register 1990-91,
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.
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). 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. 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.
Race results Year Winner Sire Dam Jockey Trainer(s) Time Second Third2026 (Te Aroha) Christmas 65Palace Episode (USA) Many Dreams (Fra) Darryl Horner Jnr Paul Preusker, Australia 7:48.87 (6200m)Captains Run 69 Smug 66.52025 (Te Aroha)Jesko 70Atlante (Aus) Striking Asset (NZ)Shaun Fannin Shaun and Hazel Fannin 7.54.62 (6200m) Mr Fabulous 66Te Kahu 682024 (Te Rapa) West Coast 73Mettre En Jeu Testament Shaun FanninMark Oulaghan, Awapuni8:18.40 (6500m)Captains Run 66Auld Jock 662023 (Te Rapa)West Coast 73 Mettre En Jeu Testament Shaun Fannin Mark Oulaghan 8.02.14 (6500m) Captains Run 66The Cossack 732022 (Te Rapa) Kiddo 65Istidaad (USA) Kitty O'Reilly Shaun FanninKevin Myers8:18.64 (6500m) Donardo 65The Anarchist 652021 (Te Aroha) Te Kahu 65 Zacinto (GB) Midnight Owl Matthew Cropp Dan O'Leary, Marton7:43.24 (6200m) Zartan 65No Tip 65 2020 Magic Wonder 65Eighth Wonder (NZ) Magic Flight Shaun Fannin Jo Rathbone 7:42.47Napoleon 65 Shamal 70 2019 Wise Men Say 69Yamanin Vital (NZ) Vaguely Famous Shaun Fannin Raymond Connors 8:48.79 Kings Kite 65Crash Bandicott 66.52018 (Te Aroha)Chocolate Fish 65Colombia (NZ) SaveurShaun PhelanShane Brown8:08.47 (6300m) Perry Mason 65Shamal 682017Wise Men Say 68Yamanin Vital (NZ) Vaguely FamousIsaac LuptonRaymond Connors9:31.50 Upper Cut 70.5Tizza Secret 652016Kick Back 65Bahhare (USA) Take ThreeShaun FanninKevin Myers8:08.65Almanood Lad 67 Zed Case 652015Jack Romanov 65Ustinov (Aus) ColmerinoRichard CullyMark Brooks8:50.20Snodroptwinkletoes 65 Amanood Lad 702014Amanood Lad 67Germano (GB) Anood DashCraig ThorntonBen Foote9:04.82Tobouggie Nights 68 Red Hot 652013 Rangatira 65Deputy Governor (USA) Aggie GreyIsaac LuptonSteve Gulliver8:23.85Kidunot 68 Karlos 682012 Tom's Myth 68Rainbow Myth (NZ) Tom's JewelShaun PhelanAnn Browne8:25.07Myths And Legends 67.5Cape Kinaveral 682011 Ima Heroine 63.5Heroicity (Aus) Ima HunterMathew GilliesAnn Browne8:37.55 Myths And Legends 63Hypnotize 71.52010 Hypnotize 70.5Yamanin Vital (NZ) Auburn RoseIsaac LuptonRaymond Connors8:45.50 Karlos 63Fair King 65.52009 Fair King 64.5Kingfisher Mill (USA) Fair SisterJames GilliesAnn Browne8:02.66Hypnotize 69.5Volkswagin 632008 Hypnotize 68.5Yamanin Vital (NZ) Auburn RoseIsaac LuptonRaymond Connors8:15.71Franconero 63Fair King 642007 Hypnotize 65Yamanin Vital (NZ) Auburn RoseIsaac LuptonRaymond Connors8:24.25 Stitched 66The Storytella 632006 Real Tonic 66.5Victory Dance (Ire) BantanBrett ScottJohn Wheeler8:50.48I'manace 63Fenman 622005Just The Man 62 Isle Of Man (NZ) Albatross RoadJoanne RathboneDavina Waddell7:41.44The Storytella 63Bart 652004Wanderlust 65.5 Globetrotter (NZ) HaumaMichelle HopkinsAnn & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge 8:18.30 Aquaria Dancer 62Golden Flare 682003Golden Flare 63 Touching Wood (USA) Golden GlowClayton ChipperfieldRaylene Whiteside8:05.98 Cool Conductor 63Royal Ways 652002Golden Flare 60 Touching Wood (USA) Golden GlowClayton ChipperfieldRaylene Whiteside8:06.02 Cool Conductor 60Royal Ways 632001 Smart Hunter 60.5 (Dead-heat) Ivory Hunter (USA) Jeanne's JestMichelle HopkinsAnn & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge 8:21.45 -Wickerman 602001 Sir Avion 60 (Dead-heat) Sir Sian (NZ) AvionWayne HillisKevin O'Connor8:21.45- " "2000Royal Ways 63.5 Crossways (GB) Royal AukJoseph DouglasTony Cole8:23.17 Our Jonty 64Fair Brother 641999Royal Ways 60 Crossways (GB) Royal AukJoseph DouglasTony Cole8:09.17 Just Red 60Sel Tee 621998Our Jonty 64 Random Chance (NZ) Lal's GiftRaymond ConnorsKevin Myers7:51.25 Lost In The Rain 64Kildary King 611997Sydney Jones 66.5 Sir Sydney (NZ) Tua RangiBrett McDonaldAnn & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge 8:38.73Flash Hunter 66Our Jonty 611996Classic Heights 62 Sir Tristram (Ire) Catena GoldPaul FitzgeraldTim Douglas8:18.05 Just Red 64Joyful Dude 641995Sydney Jones 65Sir Sydney (NZ) Tua RangiTina EganAnn & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge 8:39.16 Joyful Dude 65Classic Heights 601994Ellivani 64.5 Palm Beach (Fra) Ina VilleBrian ConstableJohn Twomey7:47.18 Bwana 64Propel 621993Sir Barton 63.5Sir Bart (NZ) ConfrontChad NorthcottMax Northcott8:06.56Bwana 64 Red Impact 611992Lord Tennyson 60.5 Royal Plume (GB) NoodeBrett McDonaldAnn & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge 8:07.38 The Image Maker 60.3Desperino 60.81991Brother Bart 60.5 Sir Bart (NZ) Sister SarahCraig ThorntonAnn & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge 8:16.60The Image Maker 59.5 Brigadier Puckle 60.81990Ardri 59.5 Bally Royal (GB) AramushaKen BrowneAnn & Ken Browne MBE, Cambridge 8:33.53 Zamarino 60Count Five 641989Tumblin’ Down 61 Dodger (NZ) Maria DallasToby AutridgeMichael Moroney8:20.29Yamani 61 High Impact 60.31988Heddawin 59.3 Head Hunter (GB) WinaganWayne HillisJohn Bullock8:10.41Vincere 60.5 Seeyoulater 60.51987Deductable 59.5 Kirrama (NZ) Happy ReturnPaul HillisColin Jillings & Richard Yuill8:22.40 Orca 61.3Seeyoulater 61 1986 Rock Crystal 59.5 Native Turn (USA) Princess Mellay (NZ)A M (Snooky) Cowan Hector Anderton8:14.23 Lord Venture 59.5Kanamint 641985 Hunterville 66.5Treason Trial (Ire) Wedding Ring (NZ) Denis Gray Ron Cropp 7:52.02 Orca 58.5Resolution 64.51984 Hunterville 65.5 Treason Trial (Ire) Wedding Ring (NZ) Denis Gray Ron Cropp 8:18.58 Dulico 59.8 Civil Rights 57.81983Hunterville 62Treason Trial (Ire) Wedding Ring (NZ) Denis Gray Ron Cropp 8:01.99 Headford 58.8 Sparkling Brew 571982Mountain Gold 59Rocky Mountain (Fra) Gold Gwen (NZ) Laurie Cavanagh Tim Douglas8:13.05 Hunterville 57 Regenerate 61.51981 Bean's Beau 63Head Hunter (GB) Buzzami (NZ)Bryce Waters John Bullock7:59.47 (soft) Patrone 65 Aurlada 57 1980 Guess Who 63.5Royal Ridge Quita Stephen JenkinsEric Temperton 8:27.56 Thumbs Orf 64Patrone 62.5 1979Ascona 60 Ken Browne Ken Browne 8:19.32 Al Rashid First Wood 1978Ballycastle 63 Grant CooksleyBrian Elliot 7:39.35 Marji's Gold Ascona 1977 Ascona 57.5 Ken Browne Ken Browne 8:52.00 1976Loch Linnhe 69Lomond Night BellBrian Tims W J (Bill) Hillis 8:08.6 Vitraglaze Ballymore 1975Loch Linnhe 65.5Lomond Night Bell W J (Bill) HillisW J (Bill) Hillis 8:00 MontyYoung Surveyor 1974 Specialist 57.5 Graeme Walters Peter Cathro 7:51 Burglar Bill Captain Sandy 1973 Bob's Luck 9st G N Scanlon 8:00 1972Brockton 9st 12 Brian ("Baggy") Hillis 8:10 1971Brockton 9st Brian ("Baggy") Hillis 8:10
Historical winners
Winning horses and jockeys include the following:Costello, John and Finnegan, Pat (1988). Tapestry of Turf. Moa Publications.
1970 - Spray Doone (C R Lewis), also won the 1970 Grand National Steeplechase 1969 - Falada (F P Blackburn) 1968 - Royal Polo (L J Gestro) 1967 - Eiffel Tower (W J "Bill" Hillis), also won the 1966 and 1967 Grand National Hurdles 1966 - Confer (R J Sutherland) 1965 - Smoke Ring (R J Leggett) 1964 - Johnny Dee (J H Hely) 1963 - Blue Rock (A T Haitana), also won the 1961 Grand National Hurdles 1962 - Sabre (J R Potter) 1961 - Patrick Molloy (J H Hely) 1960 - Patrick Molloy (G O Mudgway) 1959 - Ben Vola (V H Simpson) 1958 - Irish Ace (A G Walsh) 1957 - Knight's Star (J R Potter) 1956 - Hit Parade (T Reynolds) 1955 - Every Time (A G Walsh) 1954 - Dunwold (J A Woolliams) 1953 - Dunwold (R J Turnwald) 1952 - Dural (A K Lawrence) 1951 - Redingote (D Mackinnon) 1950 - Jon Rosa (R D Samson) 1949 - Golden Reign (J L Jenkins) 1948 - Brookby Song (J Chaplin), also won the 1948 Wellington Steeplechase and Grand National Steeplechasehttps://natlib.govt.nz/records/22902838 1947 - Brookby Song (J Chaplin) 1946 - Our Nation (F C Cleaver) 1945 - Dauber (A Jenkins) 1944 - Dozie Boy (M E Ritchie) 1943 - Chat (Eric Temperton) 1942 - Dozie Boy (A Jenkins) 1941 - Streamline (G Ridgway) 1940 - All Irish (J H McRae) 1939 - Survey (A E Ellis) 1938 - Valpeen (F R Foster) 1937 - Irish Comet ( J F Fergus) 1936 - Billy Boy (W Rennie) 1935 - Royal Limond (D O’Connor) 1934 - Valpeen (R Thompson) 1933 - Callamart (C Thomson) 1932 - Copey (I Tucker) 1931 - Master Lu (J H McRae) 1930 - Aurora Borealis (A McDonald) 1929 - Uralia (F Foster) 1928 - Glendowie (S Henderson) 1927 - Beau Cavalier (S Henderson) 1926 - Dick (R Thompson) 1925 - Sir Rosebery (A McDonald) 1924 - Sir Rosebery (E Copestake) 1923 - Mary Bruce (S Henderson) 1922 - Sea De'il (T W Rowe) 1921 - Coalition (A Wormald) 1920 - Lochella (G Fielding) 1919 - Master Lupin (A McDonald) 1918 - Waimai (F Flynn) 1917 - Gluepot (S Henderson) 1916 - El Gallo (C Scott) 1915 - El Gallo (C Scott) 1914 - Peary (F McCabe) 1913 - Bercola (J O’Connell) 1912 - Hautere (J Deery) 1911 - Corazon (J Hercock) 1910 - Red McGregor (W Windsor) 1909 - Capitol (M Deeble) 1908 - Loch Fyne (A Julian) 1907 - Kiatere (W Wilson)