The Great Northern Steeplechase is New Zealand

New Zealand

New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...

's richest Steeplechase

Steeplechase

Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...

. It is run over 6400 m at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland, making it Australasia's longest horse race, taking approximately eight minutes to complete. The race has been run in early September since 2005, after previously being held in early June.

A notable feature of the race is the Ellerslie Hill on the far side of the steeplechase course; which over the course of the race the horses must climb three times. In addition the contestants must clear 25 jumps over the 6400 m race making this race one of great tests of stamina and fitness in thoroughbred racing, for both horse and rider

Jockey

A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...

.

The inaugural race was won by Macaroni, who carried a massive weight of 12 stone (76 kg). Of the most notable winners of the race was Hunterville, who won the race three times in 1983, 1984 and 1985. In 2010 Hypnotize succeeded in entering the history books by accumulating three wins (2007, 2008 and 2010).

Recent winners

{| class = "sortable" | border="1" cellpadding="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-size:90%"
|- bgcolor="#77dd77" align="center"
| width="65px" | Year

| width="145px" | Winner

| width="145px" | Jockey

| width="145px" | Trainer

|-
|2011
|Ima Heroine
|Mathew Gillies
|Ann Browne
|-
|2010
|Hypnotize
|Isaac Lupton
|Raymond Connors
|-
|2009
|Fair King
|James Gillies
|Ann Browne
|-
|2008
|Hypnotize
|Isaac Lupton
|Raymond Connors
|-
|2007
|Hypnotize
|Isaac Lupton
|Raymond Connors
|-
|2006
|Real Tonic
|Brett Scott
|John Wheeler
|-
|2005
|Just The Man
|Joanne Rathbone
|Davina Waddell
|-
|2004
|Wanderlust
|Michelle Hopkins
|Ann & Ken Browne
|-
|2003
|Golden Flare
|Clayton Chipperfield
|Raylene Whiteside
|-
|2002
|Golden Flare
|Clayton Chipperfield
|Raylene Whiteside
|-
|2001 (DH)
|Smart Hunter
|Michelle Hopkins
|Ann & Ken Browne
|-
|2001 (DH)
|Sir Avion
|Wayne Hillis
|Kevin O'Connor
|-
|2000
|Royal Ways
|Joseph Douglas
|Tony Cole
|-
|1999
|Royal Ways
|Joseph Douglas
|Tony Cole
|-