New Zealand Trotting Cup

Three horses have won the race three times, they are Indianapolis, False Step and Terror To Love. False Step later went to the United States where he beat the acknowledged American champion of the time, Adios Butler.[1] A number of horses have won the race twice including Harold Logan and Highland Fling who both won their second cups off the very large handicap of 60 yards and Lazarus.

In 1929, 1930 and 1931 the New Zealand Cup was run with heats and a final.

In 2007 a crowd of 25,000 people packed the race track. This Tuesday is also known for having remarkable weather, it had not rained at the New Zealand Trotting Cup since 1962, the year that Lordship beat the hot favorite Cardigan Bay.[2] It did rain in 2007, but only after the New Zealand Trotting Cup had already been run.

In 1963 Cardigan Bay who is arguably New Zealand’s greatest ever horse won the Cup and also won the Inter Dominion in Australia. Cardigan Bay, in association with New Jersey master reinsman Stanley Dancer went on to become the first million dollar winner in the sport's history.

A common feature of the race is the inclusion of Australian trained runners and occasionally they are the winners such as Steel Jaw in 1983, Lightning Blue in 1987 and Arden Rooney in 2015.

The 2008 running of the race was won by Changeover, driven by David Butcher and trained by Geoff Small, in race/world record time (1.58.8-mile rate). The race was delayed by over 6 minutes due to fractious horses and a damaged wheel to one of the favoured runners. After being slow away, Butcher moved forward to lead, and soon after took a trail behind one of the other favourites, Baileys Dream. In an exciting finish, Butcher used the passing lane to pass Baileys Dream, with Report for Duty third for Anthony Butt (who was trying for 3 wins in a row in the NZ Cup). It was another dream result for the ATC Trotting Syndicate, who own the horse. The last horse home, favoured runner Monkey King, was credited with a time of 3.58.7, which was fast enough to have won every NZ Cup, except the 2007 running, won by Flashing Red.

Terror To Love equaled the record for most wins in 2013, having won the previous two years. Despite breaking stride at the start of the race, giving the leaders a 15-length head start (about 37m or 3 seconds), Terror To Love made up the distance slowly and worked towards the front, taking the lead in the back stretch of the final lap. The horse managed to hold off late-charging runners to record the unusual win by a head. The race announcer called the race the greatest win in the New Zealand Trotting Cup's history. The race time was the second fastest behind the 2008 win by Changeover.

The 2015 running of the New Zealand Cup was won by Australian-based horse, Arden Rooney, in a slowish overall time of 3.57.4, driven by Kerryn Manning. It was the first time in the history of the race that a female had driven the winner. Arden Rooney was given a leisurely time in front after a great beginning and with a last half-mile in 55 seconds under a vigorous drive, gave little else a chance to catch it. Subsequently, the driver was given a two-week suspension and $1000 fine for "Excessive use of whip". It was her second fine for a similar offense in New Zealand within 8 days.

In 2016 the race was run and won by the dominant Purdon/Rasmussen training combination, with their horse Lazarus. It was won in a very fast time in completely dominant fashion by 10 lengths, running 3.53.1 for the 2-mile event (a mile rate of 1.57.2). The Purdon/Rasmussen combination filled 3 of the first 4 finishing positions.

The stake or total prize money for the New Zealand Cup has fluctuated over the years:

• 1940 – 2500 pounds
• 1950 – 7500 pounds
• 1960 – 6750 pounds
• 1970 - $25,000
• 1980 - $100,000
• 1990 - $375,000
• 2008 - $1.2 million
• 2009 - $1 million
• 2010 - $750,000
• 2011 and 2012 - $600,000
• 2013 - $650,000
• 2020 - $540,000

In 2016, the ZM Body Art final was held at the Trotting Cup.[3]

Most wins:

• 3 - Terror To Love (2011, 2012, 2013)
• 3 - False Step (1958, 1959, 1960)
• 3 - Indianapolis (1934, 1935, 1936)

Most wins by a driver:

• 7 - Ricky May (1989, 1997, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013)
• 6 - Cecil Devine (1951, 1956, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1979)
• 6 - Mark Purdon (1995, 1996, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020)
• 4 - James “Scotty” Bryce (1916, 1925, 1926, 1933)
• 4 - Todd Mitchell (1999, 2002, 2003, 2004)
• 4 - Peter Wolfenden (1963, 1965, 1970, 1977)

The horses that contest the New Zealand Cup commonly compete in various races that have become seen as traditional lead in races. The winner of the New Zealand Cup is usually one that wins or performs strongly in these races.

On the Friday following the New Zealand Cup, Canterbury Anniversary day, many of the same horses will contest the New Zealand Free For All.

The list of New Zealand Cup winners includes many of the best horses New Zealand has produced as well as some great Australian horses. However, some very distinguished horses that have attempted but failed to win the Cup include:

• Auckland Reactor
• Caduceus
• Delightful Lady
• Elsu
• Master Musician
• Robin Dundee
• Roydon Glen
• Smoken Up
• Tiger Tara
• Young Quinn

• Wood, Bernie (1981). Flying Sulkies - History of the New Zealand Cup 1904-80. Moa Publications, Auckland.
• http://www.hrnz.co.nz
• http://www.tab.co.nz
• http://www.nzcupandshow.co.nz/2006/ChristchurchCasinoNewZealandTrottingCupDay.asp
• https://web.archive.org/web/20100814015637/http://www.ers.dol.govt.nz/holidays_act_2003/dates/2006_9.html

• Full Details of all races
• 2008 Cup race replay - Changeover