Jumps Racing
Jumps racing plays a significant part in the fabric of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and provides exciting thoroughbred action through our winter months.
The 2011 season commences at southernmost jumping venue in the country, Riverton on April 14 and rolls through to National Jumps Day, at the northernmost jumping venue, on October 16 at Ellerslie, which is later than usual as the jumping programme has been extended to cover the period of the Rugby World Cup.
The racing year is expected to contain around 130 jump racing events, split evenly between hurdles and steeplechases. The pinnacle events are categorized as Prestige Jumping Races, the most valuable of which are the Great Northern Steeplechase over 6400m and the Great Northern Hurdle over 4190m.
With the exception of the first Prestige Jumping Races, the Great Western Steeplechases and Hurdles at Riverton, which is run on a Sunday, all the season’s key highlights are on Saturdays, which guarantees maximum exposure to scintillating and thrilling spectacles.
New exciting initiatives this season include the Cheltenham Dream Series, a nationwide points based competition to ascertain the best jumper in the country. The winner will be presented with a travel incentive offer to line up at the mecca of jump racing, the Cheltenham Festival.
There has also been a strong resurgence in amateur rider races in New Zealand since the inception of a recognized Series. This the national series is sponsored by Flair, a group set up for Ladies Advancing the Interests of Racing. In April 2011 there were 44 amateur riders registered, the most for over 15 years. Like the jump racing season, the Series commences at Riverton and ends at Ellerslie.
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding jump racing in New Zealand please do not hesitate to contact Andre Klein, NZ Jumps Coordinator and Secretary of NZ Jumps Inc on 027 242376.
Contacts
Jumps Racing Coordinator
Andre Klein
027 2423 767
ceo@gallopsouth.co.nz
