Wellington Cup
The Wellington Cup is a Group 3 Thoroughbred horse race in New Zealand held annually in late January at Trentham Racecourse in Trentham by the Wellington Racing Club.
| Group 3 race | |
 Cluden Creek winning the 2004 Wellington Cup | |
| Location | Trentham Racecourse Trentham Wellington Region  |
|---|---|
| Inaugurated | 1874 |
| Race type | Thoroughbred - Flat racing |
| Website | Trentham Racecourse |
| Race information | |
| Distance | 3200 metres (previously 3200/2400 metres) |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-Year-Olds and Up |
| Weight | Assigned |
| Purse | NZ$250,000 |
History
Inaugurated in 1874, the Wellington Cup has been raced over various distances:
- 2 miles : 1874-1889
- 1 1⁄2 miles : 1890-1941
- 2 miles : 1942-1973
- 3200 metres : 1974-2008
- 2400 metres : 2009-2015
- 3200 metres : 2016 onwards
The event is one of New Zealand's most important races and currently offers a purse of NZ$250,000.
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.
- Miss World winner Jacqueline Aguilera in 1997.
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. The race reverted back to 3200m from 2016 to help encourage New Zealand stayers[1]. However in 2017 the race was downgraded again to Group Three status[2].
Records
Speed record:
- 3.15.59 - Daria's Fun (1988) for 3200 metres
- 3.16.2 - Il Tempo (1970) for the pre-1974 distance of 2 miles
Most wins:
- 3 - Cynisca (1890, 1891, 1892)
- 3 - Great Sensation (1961, 1962, 1963)
- 3 - Castletown (1991, 1992, 1994)
3+ wins by a jockey:
- 3 - Noel G Harris (1991, 1992, 1994)
- 3 - David A Peake (1971, 1973, 1978)
3+ wins by a trainer:
- 3 - Michael Moroney (2000, 2014, 2016)
Winners of the Wellington Cup since 1990
| Year |
Winner |
Age |
Jockey |
Trainer |
Owner |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Solesefei[3] | 7 | Trudy Thornton | Jaimee-Lee Lupton [4] | L Ridge & Ms M Slagter | 3:20.03 |
| 2019 | Gorbachev[5] | 5 | Ryan Elliot | Bryce Newman | P Bardell, F J P Huwyler, B K O'Dea & K T O'Donnell | 3:22.49 |
| 2018 | Magic Chai[6] | 5 | Michael McNab | Tony Pike | MA & Mrs SL Treweek | 3:25.19 |
| 2017 | Savaria[7] | 5 | Hayden Tinsley | Roydon Bergerson | DP & Mrs KC Fleming | 3:21.90 |
| 2016 | Mister Impatience[8] | 6 | Sam Spratt | Michael Moroney & Chad Ormsby | 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 |
| 2015 | Maygrove[9] | 5 | Matthew Cameron | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | JML Bloodstock Ltd (Mgr L Petagna) & PW O'Rourke | 2:26.65 (2400m) |
| 2014 | Graphic | 5 | Craig Grylls | Michael Moroney & Chad Ormsby | Christopher R & Susanna Grace[10] | 2:29.30 (2400m) |
| 2013 | Blood Brotha | 7 | Lisa Allpress | Raymond Connors | M S & R M Connors | 2:31.32 (2400m) |
| 2012 | Six O'Clock News | 7 | Leith Innes | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Six O'Clock News Syndicate | 2:31.33 (2400m) |
| 2011 | Spiro | 5 | Kane Smith | Sylvia Kay | P J & Mrs S L Kay et al. | 2:28.82 (2400m) |
| 2010 | Red Ruler | 5 | Mark Du Plessis | John Sargent | R J Arculli, A R Meehan & G B Sargent | 2:27.42 (2400m) |
| 2009 | Megapins[11] | 5 | Trudy Thornton | John & Karen Parsons | W R Campbell et al. | 2.28.32 (2400m) |
| 2008 | Young Centaur | 5 | Michael Walker | John Sargent | J G Sargent & A Soon Shiong | 3.22.15 |
| 2007 | Willy Smith | 5 | Matthew Cameron | Mark Todd | Mrs M K Hain / M McPhail | 3.22.11 |
| 2006 | Envoy | 7 | Grant Cooksley | Ken Kelso | K & B Kelso / R & J White | 3:22.38 |
| 2005 | Zabeat | 5 | Peter Johnson | Dean M. Logan | A.M. Goodwin / Mrs. D.M. Logan | 3:20.73 |
| 2004 | Cluden Creek | 5 | Andrew Calder | John Boon | B Barber/W Purvis/A MacDonald | 3:26.49 |
| 2003 | Oarsman | 5 | Gary Grylls | P. Duncan | B E & R W Punch | 3:19.53 |
| 2002 | Cyclades | 6 | Lance O'Sullivan | Cydne Evans | D N & W E Pye | 3:20.20 |
| 2001 | Smiling Like | 6 | Michael Walker | Graeme Rogerson | Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan | 3:22.04 |
| 2000 | Second Coming | 5 | Michael T. Coleman | Michael Moroney | Paul Moroney et al. | 3.20.93 |
| 1999 | Miss Bailey | 7 | Leanne Isherwood | Grant Cullen | Grant Cullen et al. | 3:21.91 |
| 1998 | Aerosmith | GL Cooksley | Peter & N Hurdle | AB & DG Smith | 3:22.62 | |
| 1997 | Ed | 7 | Lance O'Sullivan | Noel Eales, Awapuni | AJ & Mrs LM Crooks | 3:17.39 |
| 1996 | Yes Indeed | RW Caddigan | DJ & Mrs MA Deegan | 3:17.85 | ||
| 1995 | Ed | 5 | Damien Oliver | AC (Cecil) Beckett, Riverton | AJ (Bert) & Mrs LM (Margaret) Crooks | 3:18.25 |
| 1994 | Castletown | 7 | Noel G Harris | PM Busuttin | PM Busuttin, BJ McCahill, KP Morris | 3:18.63 |
| 1993 | Dancing Lord | 6 | Leanne Isherwood | MI Pearson | KS Lee | 3:18.19 |
| 1992 | Castletown | 5 | Noel G Harris | PM Busuttin | PM Busuttin, BJ McCahill, KP Morris | 3:19.33 |
| 1991 | Castletown | 4 | Noel G Harris | PM Busuttin | PM Busuttin, BJ McCahill, KP Morris | 3:16.37 |
| 1990 | Flying Luskin | 5 | PD Johnson | Stephen & Trevor McKee | Joe Karam, Trevor McKee, Peter J Walker, John A Wells | 3:20.52 |
Earlier winners
- 1989 - Noble Khan
- 1988 - Daria's Fun
- 1987 - Rastes
- 1986 - Samasaan
- 1985 - Imaprince
- 1984 - Secured Deposit
- 1983 - Kiwi
- 1982 - Ruanuku
- 1981 - Koiro Trelay
- 1980 - Cubacade
- 1979 - Big Gamble
- 1978 - Good Lord
- 1977 - Good Lord
- 1976 - Guest Star
- 1975 - Timon
- 1974 - Battle Heights
- 1973 - Rustler
- 1972 - Simon de Montfort
- 1971 - Ansin
- 1970 - Il Tempo
- 1969 - City Court
- 1968 - Loofa
- 1967 - Michael Molloy
- 1966 - Red Crest
- 1965 - Eiffel Tower
- 1964 - Gay Filou
- 1963 - Great Sensation
- 1962 - Great Sensation
- 1961 - Great Sensation
- 1960 - Jalna
- 1959 - Ark Royal
- 1958 - Yeman
- 1957 - Sombrero
- 1956 - Fox Myth
- 1955 - Golden Galleon
- 1954 - Golden Tan
- 1953 - Crimson King
- 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 - Gladsome
- 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
See also
References
- https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/72273641/staying-power-wellington-cup-likely-to-return-to-3200-metre-distance
- https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/100746252/is-poor-field-a-pointer-for-wellington-cup-change
- https://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503424&objectid=12301829
- https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/118888318/soleseifei-wins-wellington-cup-in-fairytale-for-lupton-family
- https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/110038201/lightweight-gorbachev-wins-in-desperate-finish-to-wellington-cup
- https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/100741661/magic-chai-and-michael-mcnab-grab-wellington-cup
- https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/88645264/savaria-just-gets-the-better-of-jacksstar-to-win-the-wellington-cup
- https://www.nzherald.co.nz/racing/news/article.cfm?c_id=53&objectid=11578701
- https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/65388875/maygrove-wins-wellington-cup-in-what-could-be-part-one-of-memorable-double-for-lib-petagna
- http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/9648883/Graces-hope-Graphic-designs-Cup-victory
- https://www.nzthoroughbred.co.nz/blog/post/9587/Taranaki-breeders-celebrate-MegapinsWellington-Cup-win/
- Winners list at Thoroughbred Heritage
- Wellington Cup Day at Trentham Racecourse
- http://www.racenet.com.au
- http://www.nzracing.co.nz
- http://www.tab.co.nz
- http://www.racebase.co.nz
- The Great Decade of New Zealand racing 1970-1980. Glengarry, Jack. William Collins Publishers Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2018 (47th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2017 (46th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2008 (37th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2005 (34th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2004 (33rd edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2000 (29th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1997 (26th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1995 (24th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1994 (23rd edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Meadowset Publishing, Auckland, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1991 (20th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1987 (16th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1985 (Fourteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1984 (Thirteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1982 (Eleventh edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1981 (Tenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1980 (Ninth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1979 (Eighth edition).Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1978 (Seventh edition).Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand.
- New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1976. Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.