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| 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 |
| Surface | Turf |
| Track | Left-handed |
| Qualification | Three-Year-Olds and Up |
| Weight | Handicap |
| Purse | NZ$300,000 (2024) |
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.
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
There were two prior Wellington Cups in 1867 and 1868. These were unofficial events run by the first Wellington Jockey Club and not recognised by the NZ Turf Register.[1]
The Wellington Cup is one of New Zealand's most famous and popular races and currently offers a purse of NZ$300,000 which belies its Group Three status. Wellington Cup day attracts large crowds to Trentham Racecourse and the other races on the card include the Group One Thorndon Mile, the Group Three Desert Gold Stakes and the Douro Cup.
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. The race reverted to 3200m from 2016 to help encourage New Zealand stayers.[2] However, in 2017 the race was downgraded again to Group Three status.[3]
Queen Elizabeth II attended in 1970.[4]
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.[5] 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 2023 Wellington Cup is the 150th edition of the race.[6]
The biggest dividend paid for a Wellington Cup winner was $180 for Simon de Montfort, ridden by Brian Dodds in 1972.[7]
The 2024 edition was on the last race-day of calling by Tony Lee, after a 40 year career.[8]
1954 racebook
-
Front cover 1954 WRC Wellington Cup racebook -
1954 WRC Wellington Cup raceday officials -
1954 WRC Wellington Cup showing the winner, Golden Tan -
1954 WRC Wellington Cup starters and results -
1954 WRC Wellington Cup starters and results -
1954 WRC Wellington Cup train arrangements
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.
- 2:26.65 - Maygrove (2015) over the 2400m journey raced from 2009 and 2015.
Most wins:
- 3 - Cynisca (1890, 1891, 1892).
- 3 - Great Sensation (1961, 1962, 1963).
- 3 - Castletown (1991, 1992, 1994).[9]
Most wins by a jockey:
- 6 - R Derrett (1880, 1881, 1885, 1892, 1894, 1898)
- 6 - Roy Reed (1919, 1920, 1921, 1923, 1928, 1932)
- 5 - Bob Skelton (1959, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1969)[10]
Most wins by a trainer:
- 4 - Michael Moroney (1996, 2000, 2014, 2016)
Winners of the Wellington Cup since 1953
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 - 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
- 1868 - Numa
- 1867 - Policy
See also
- Recent winners of major NZ cup races
- Trentham Stakes
- New Zealand Cup
- Auckland Cup
- Thorndon Mile (raced on same day)
- Desert Gold Stakes (raced on same day)
- Telegraph Handicap
- Captain Cook Stakes
References
- ^ "Wellington Cup Winners". Wellington Racing Club.
- ^ "Staying power: Wellington Cup likely to return to 3200-metre distance". 21 September 2015.
- ^ "Is poor field a pointer for Wellington Cup change?". 20 January 2018.
- ^ HYSLOP, LIAM (21 January 2016). "Broadcaster Des Coppins returns to Wellington Cup for 45th time". Stuff.
- ^ Teixeira, Kelvin (10 November 2017). "Flashback: Kiwi flies to legendary Melbourne Cup win in 1983". Stuff.
- ^ Boyack, Nicholas (20 January 2023). "150 years of thrills, spills and celebrity spotting at the Wellington Cup". Stuff.
- ^ Reporter, Timaru Herald Staff (14 March 2013). "Wellington Cup win high point of career". Stuff.
- ^ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz.
- ^ "Flashback: When Wellington's cup went south". 19 January 2018.
- ^ "Racing: Visit evokes winning memories". 8 March 2011.
- ^ "Wellington Cup Winners".
- ^ "Race 9 NZ CAMPUS OF INNOVATION & SPORT WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 20 JAN 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz.
- ^ "Race 9 NZ CAMPUS OF INNOVATION SPORT WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 28 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Race 9 NZ CAMPUS OF INNOVATION & SPORT WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 29 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Race 9 NZ CAMPUS OF INNOVATION & SPORT WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 30 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ Desk, New Zealand Racing. "Waisake wins Wellington Cup". RACING.COM.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ "Race 9 NZ CAMPUS OF INNOVATION & SPORT WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 18 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Racing: Waverley's Soleseifei wins another Wellington Cup for the Lupton family". NZ Herald. 16 December 2023.
- ^ "Soleseifei wins Wellington Cup in fairytale for Lupton family". 18 January 2020.
- ^ "Race 9 NZ CAMPUS OF INNOVATION & SPORT WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 19 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Lightweight Gorbachev wins in desperate finish to Wellington Cup". 19 January 2019.
- ^ "Race 9 WALLACEVILLE ESTATE CASTLETOWN WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 20 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2018 (47th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
- ^ "Magic Chai and Michael McNab grab Wellington Cup". 20 January 2018.
- ^ "Race 10 WALLACEVILLE ESTATE WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 21 JAN 2017 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2017 (46th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
- ^ "Savaria just gets the better of Jacksstar to win the Wellington Cup". 21 January 2017.
- ^ "Race 9 WALLACEVILLE ESTATE WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 23 JAN 2016 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Racing: Mister Impatience digs deepest for Wellington Cup victory". 17 January 2016.
- ^ "Race 9 PLATINUM HOMES WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 24 JAN 2015 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/65388875/maygrove-wins-wellington-cup-in-what-could-be-part-one-of-memorable-double was-for-lib-petagna
- ^ "Race 9 PLATINUM HOMES WELLINGTON CUP (GROUP II) at WELLINGTON RC on 25 JAN 2014 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Graces hope Graphic designs Cup victory". 24 January 2014.
- ^ "Race 9 PACIFIC JEWELLERS WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 26 JAN 2013 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Race 8 PACIFIC JEWELLERS WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 28 JAN 2012 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Race 8 CENTURY CITY WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 29 JAN 2011 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Race 8 CENTURY CITY WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 30 JAN 2010 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Race 8 CENTURY CITY DEVELOPMENTS WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 24 JAN 2009 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ "Taranaki breeders celebrate Megapins' Wellington Cup win".
- ^ "Race 7 CENTURY CITY DEVELOPMENTS WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 26 JAN 2008 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2008 (37th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand.
- ^ "Race 7 CENTURY CITY DEVELOPMENTS WELLINGTON CUP at WELLINGTON RC on 27 JAN 2007 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "News Article - Australian Harness Racing".
- Winners list at Thoroughbred Heritage
- Wellington Cup Day at Trentham Racecourse
- Racenet - Australia's Premier Horse Racing News, Form Guides & Tips
- LOVERACING.NZ - New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing
- TAB | Sports & Racing Betting Online in New Zealand
- New Zealand Horse Racing Statistics and Information - RaceBase
- The Great Decade of New Zealand racing 1970-1980. Glengarry, Jack. William Collins Publishers Ltd, Wellington, New Zealand.