Koral
One of the country’s most iconic greys, Koral won 25 races over fences and was at his absolute best at Riccarton where he built an extraordinary record. While the challenging distances of the Grand National and Great Northern Steeplechases often tested him under big weights, he still etched his name into history by becoming the youngest-ever winner of the Grand National Steeplechase when he claimed the 1965 edition as a five-year-old. He would go on to add three second placings and a third in the famous race, including finishing runner-up as a 12-year-old.
The 4000-metre Homeby Steeplechase became Koral's signature event. Across eight consecutive years he produced one of the most astonishing records in New Zealand jumping history, winning the race seven times and finishing second on the only other occasion. In that memorable 1965 season, he completed the coveted Homeby Steeplechase, Grand National Steeplechase and Lincoln Steeplechase treble. That is why the ‘Homeby’ is now known as the ‘Koral’ Steeplechase, the key leadup event a tribute to the great grey.
Koral's brilliance wasn't confined to Riccarton. He also won and placed in major steeplechases throughout the country, including success in the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase and two runner-up finishes in the Waikato Steeplechase. By the time he retired in 1972, Koral had amassed an incredible 25 steeplechase victories and had earned more prizemoney over jumps than any other New Zealand horse before him.
Gogong
Gogong was one of New Zealand's great globe-trotting jumpers of the 1980s, establishing himself as one of the toughest and most versatile steeplechasers of his era. Owned and trained by Leo and Roy Robinson, he won 19 of his 89 career starts, nine of those over the jumps and across three different countries.
After making his name in New Zealand, Gogong ventured to Melbourne in 1984 where he made an immediate impact. At his very first attempt over Australia's bigger fences, he captured the prestigious Grand National Steeplechase at Flemington, before adding the A.V. Hiskens Steeplechase, then regarded as one of Australia's premier jumping contests. The pair of victories firmly established him as one of the leading jumpers on both sides of the Tasman.
Returning to New Zealand in 1985, Gogong tuned up for another Australian campaign by winning the Great Northern Hurdle, which at the time was run in June. His return to Victoria almost unravelled when he fell in the Grand National Hurdle at Flemington, but in a remarkable display of courage and resilience, he bounced back just a week later to successfully defend his Grand National Steeplechase crown, with Paul Hillis in the saddle.
His exploits caught international attention, and following his Australian campaign Gogong was sold to George Strawbridge Jr's Augustin Stable and exported to the United States. There he joined leading trainer Joseph Clancy, who had previously enjoyed success with fellow New Zealand jumper Owhata Chief. Gogong quickly proved his class in North America, claiming the 1987 Carolina Cup Steeplechase before defeating champion jumper Flatterer in the Middleburg Spring Steeplechase. Success in New Zealand, Australia and the United States cemented his legacy as one of the most accomplished New Zealand-bred jumpers to campaign internationally, and one of the true pioneers of New Zealand's proud steeplechasing history.
Grey Warbler
Grey Warbler contested 34 races in his career, all but one were over the jumps, recording seven victories. Racing during an era that featured some of New Zealand's greatest-ever steeplechasers, the grey gelding carved out a legacy that is still remembered today. Prepared by W.L. (Bill) Robinson, Grey Warbler formed a successful partnership with popular amateur jockey Denis Gray. The pair enjoyed a remarkable 1982 campaign, beginning with victory in the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase before backing it up at their very next start in the Listed Wellington Steeplechase.
The pinnacle of Grey Warbler's career came later that winter at Riccarton Park, where he claimed the 1982 Listed Grand National Steeplechase, producing the defining performance of his career, cementing his place among New Zealand's finest jumpers of the era.
Tangarakau
There aren't many horses capable of winning a hurdle race, backing up to claim a Listed Cup on the flat at their next start, returning to the hurdles a week later, then taking on a Gr.1 just three weeks after that. Tangarakau was one of them.
Trained by the renowned Colin Jillings, Tangarakau may not have claimed the major jumping features that define some of New Zealand's greatest jumpers, but his remarkable versatility made him a standout. Equally capable over obstacles and on the flat, he regularly switched between the two disciplines with impressive success - a rare feat that showcased his toughness, adaptability and class.
Silver Archer
It took Silver Archer six starts over hurdles to break through for his maiden jumping victory, but once he found his feet over obstacles, he developed into one of New Zealand's most consistent steeplechasers of the early 2000s. Prepared throughout his career by owner-trainer Craig Amrein, Silver Archer was regularly piloted by Finbarr Leahy. Together, they went on to record feature victories in the Waikato Steeplechase, Manawatu Steeplechase, and Koral Steeplechase. His performances earned him an international opportunity, with Silver Archer travelling to Japan along with Leahy to contest both the Nakayama Pegasus Jump and the Nakayama Grand Jump in 2003.
No Hero
The Paul Nelson-trained No Hero had eight victories throughout his 46-start career, all of which were over the steeplechase fences. Regular jockey Jonathan Riddell was aboard for seven of those wins, including back-to-back victories in the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase and success in the Manawatu Steeplechase. In 2005, No Hero cemented his place in jumping history when he completed the coveted Koral Steeplechase - Grand National Steeplechase double at Riccarton Park, extending an incredible sequence of seven consecutive steeplechase victories.
The much-loved grey gelding even booked a flight to Japan and contested the Pegasus Jump Stakes and The Nakayama Grand Jump in 2007. Retiring at age 13, he found a much-loved home with Joanna Harrison where he was kept busy competing in dressage, show hunter and was even ridden by Trackside’s Jayne Ivil during the Hastings Spring Carnival.
Snodroptwinkletoes
The ghostly grey Snodroptwinkletoes was a steeplechasing stalwart having 19 starts over the bigger fences. Trained by Kevin Myers, he won his very first raceday appearance in a a 2200m flat race on a heavy 10 at Waverley and had his first steeplechase start a week later!
Regularly contesting the big dances throughout his career, his greatest victories would come in The Pakuranga Hunt Cup of 2013 ridden by Charlie Studd, a feat he almost repeated in 2015. The cult favourite also placed in the likes of the NZI Koral Steeplechase, Great Northern Steeplechase and McGregor Grant Steeplechase.
Upon his retirement, he found a loving home with Robbie Lammas where he served a vital role as a Clerk Horse in the central districts for many years.
Jackfrost
Southern hero Jackfrost captured the hearts of racing fans with his toughness, determination and the passionate support of the aptly named Frosty's Shoutin' The Beers Syndicate. Bred by Brian and Lorraine Anderton of Otago’s Whiterobe Lodge who trained in partnership with son Shane, Jackfrost won six races on the flat before finding his true calling over the hurdles. He flourished in the jumping ranks, winning five of his 11 hurdle starts and finishing in the placings on four other occasions.
His crowning moment came in 2018 when he completed the prestigious Grand National Hurdles-Great Northern Hurdle double, charging home to defeat the North Island's best in both features under the roar of his vocal ownership syndicate. Deservingly named Champion Jumper in 2019, Jackfrost headed to Victoria in search of Australia's rich jumping prizes. Unfortunately, his campaign was cut short after suffering a suspensory ligament injury in training.
Following his rehabilitation back in New Zealand, Jackfrost returned to the racetrack for one final campaign before connections made the decision to retire their much-loved grey gelding. Today, he enjoys a well-earned retirement at White Robe Lodge in Middlemarch, where he shares the paddocks with fellow champion jumper Hypnotize.
Helena Baby
This well-travelled grey quickly became a crowd favourite throughout his career, earning a loyal following thanks to his bold, front-running racing style. Immediately making an impact winning five of his first seven starts and running second in the two others. His first major success came in the 2019 Opunake Cup before his career took him overseas to Hong Kong.
After returning to New Zealand, he proved he had lost none of his ability, recapturing the Opunake Cup in 2022 to complete a memorable comeback and further cement his popularity with racing fans. In 2025, the versatile grey embarked on a new chapter over the jumps. He adapted seamlessly to hurdling, making the perfect start by winning his first two hurdle races under Nick Down. Down not only partnered him to both victories but also played a key role in his transition, carrying out all of his jumping education. Helena Baby may not have claimed a major jumping victory, but he earned the admiration of racing fans through his consistency, toughness and wholehearted racing style.