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BIG KAHUNA CHARITY PUNTERS CLUB CONTINUES THIS SATURDAY

Grand National stake increase

Pete Lane
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Pete Lane Open Class - R121

Pete Lane

Posted
Posted

,

Friday 9 May 2025

MEDIA RELEASE

$200,000 Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase

The Canterbury Jockey Club is delighted to announce that in conjunction with New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and the Trustees of the Christchurch Racecourse, the 2025 Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge sponsored Grand National Steeplechase will be run for a stake of $200,000.

To be held on Saturday 9 August, this year’s renewal of one of Riccarton Park’s signature races will be contested for the 150th time, something that was not lost on the Trustees.

Peter Cordner, Chairman of the Trustees of the Christchurch Racecourse said “In 1878 the land now commonly known as Riccarton Park Racecourse was vested in the Trustees of the Christchurch Racecourse. It is fitting that our Board supports the celebration of the 150th running of a race that is such an integral part of the fabric of this famous piece of New Zealand land that we administer”.

Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge principal Nigel Butterfield said “Our hotel has sat opposite Riccarton Park Racecourse since 1883 and is honoured to be associated with one of New Zealand racing’s iconic events. The pub has hosted countless Grand National celebrations and welcomes this synergy with the Canterbury Jockey Club continuing.”

The Grand National Steeplechase joins other iconic Riccarton Park races the New Zealand Cup and Canterbury Gold Cup as having reached their sesquicentennial.

We're Doomed Open Class - R121

We're Doomed

Posted
Posted

I get the impression the trustees of the racecourse are pretty thick. They seem to waste money on things that have no upside. 

Last season they pissed away $100,000 adding an extra bonus to the NZ Cup, which I doubt hardly anyone knew about as it wasn't included in the stake.

Now all concerned have doubled the stake of the Grand National. What do they hope to achieve by that? Possibly increase the field size from 8 to 9. Possibly increase turnover by $2,000. Do they think the people of ChCh are going to think "wow the grand National is worth $200,000 this year, lets pop along." Do they not realise the value of a big stake like that is mostly in the way it creates interest in lead up races. But there are no lead up races at Riccarton or in the SI.

What do SI trainers think of their so called premium club pissing away another $100,000 to help out Northern trainers? I doubt it is going to boost southern participation in the race. Perhaps if they had reintroduced the Homeby two weeks before and made it $100,000 it might have achieved something.

I hate to sound negative, but what a waste of money. If they had put that $100,000 into The Stewards during Cup Week and made it $250,000 they might have lifted it up to a group race where it belongs and attracted extra subsidies.

Makes everyone involved look pretty dopey.

Leggy Open Class - R121

Leggy

Posted
Posted
16 minutes ago, Tesio said:

WTF are CJC thinking……..can the strategic decision making of that joint get any worse 

You do have to wonder. Since there are no jumpers in the SI, why not put the money towards fully funding costs for connections willing to bring jumpers down for the meeting, if the purpose is to improve field sizes?

We're Doomed Open Class - R121

We're Doomed

Posted
Posted
9 minutes ago, Demophon said:

As a jump racing fan I think the stakes increase is outstanding.     Any whispers about the Grand National Hurdles Stakes?

 

The club will be rewarded with full fields and a great carnival.

Define full fields

Demophon Maiden - R50

Demophon

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, We're Doomed said:

Define full fields

12 in the steeples and 12 in the hurdles.  That will also be the maximun amount of riders as well.  There are a few riders over from the UK to increase rider numbers

Who Moi Maiden - R50

Who Moi

Posted
Posted

obviously Berry The Cash will be steeplechasing this season.  Crazy decision trying to stave off the inevitable move north.  That money would be way better going into 2 or 3 lead up races in the south to build momentum, media and punter interest.  

Toblerone Open Class - R121

Toblerone

Posted
Posted

In 2006, the 100th running of the Great Western Steeplechase at Riverton saw the stake raised from XXX to $100,000.

A field of nine was drawn but it drew the champion jumper No Hero, who won by 26L.
Also there was the top performers Crafty Dancer, Bit Of A Myth (all the way from Cambridge) and the top locals, Kalsoy and Variable. 
A huge crowd turned out and it remains to this day a memorable race and meeting.

The year before? 4 horses - all locals - for $10,000 and the third horse was beaten 88L.

In 2004? 5 horses for $10,000..

the year after that 100th running, they got 5 horses (granted, for a stake of $53,000) and only 2 horses finished.

Now, I get it Riverton and Riccarton isn't apples with apples but my opinion is you are nothing without the history of horse racing.

That 100th running of the Great Western was a momentous occasion and fitting tribute to the race that had been entrenched in Southland racing for a century.

The Grand National is bigger and I am sure the increased stake will ensure there are no ifs, buts or maybes around the best local jumpers.

Pam Robson Open Class - R121

Pam Robson

Posted
Posted
59 minutes ago, Toblerone said:

In 2006, the 100th running of the Great Western Steeplechase at Riverton saw the stake raised from XXX to $100,000.

A field of nine was drawn but it drew the champion jumper No Hero, who won by 26L.
Also there was the top performers Crafty Dancer, Bit Of A Myth (all the way from Cambridge) and the top locals, Kalsoy and Variable. 
A huge crowd turned out and it remains to this day a memorable race and meeting.

The year before? 4 horses - all locals - for $10,000 and the third horse was beaten 88L.

In 2004? 5 horses for $10,000..

the year after that 100th running, they got 5 horses (granted, for a stake of $53,000) and only 2 horses finished.

Now, I get it Riverton and Riccarton isn't apples with apples but my opinion is you are nothing without the history of horse racing.

That 100th running of the Great Western was a momentous occasion and fitting tribute to the race that had been entrenched in Southland racing for a century.

The Grand National is bigger and I am sure the increased stake will ensure there are no ifs, buts or maybes around the best local jumpers.

Define 'local jumpers' please?

mikenz Open Class - R121

mikenz

Posted
Posted

So the question is if there are no mainland runners how long before the Grand National is  obsolete at Riccarton  where else if not there,? CD maybe but where,?

Just watched a race from.Whanganui and no Justin Evens again, seems to miss more meetings than he's at, would trackside miss him if he was no longer employed?

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