Telegraph Handicap

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Telegraph Handicap
ClassGroup I
LocationTrentham Racecourse
Wellington, New Zealand
Inaugurated1891
Race typeThoroughbred - Flat racing
Websitewww.trentham.co.nz
Race information
Distance1200m (6 furlongs)
SurfaceTurf
TrackLeft-handed
QualificationThree-year-olds and up
WeightSet Weights & Penalties
PurseNZ$550,000 (2025)

The Telegraph Handicap is a Group One New Zealand horse race contested by the Wellington Racing Club at Trentham Racecourse in Upper Hutt. It was traditionally raced during the Wellington Cup carnival in mid-January, however from 2025 it has been shifted to earlier in January.

The Telegraph Handicap, raced over 1200 metres, and the Railway Stakes contested at Ellerslie Racecourse are New Zealand's premier sprint races.

In the late 1980s the race was called the Wrightson Handicap.

The nature of the Trentham track ensures fast times and some Telegraph Handicap winners have been able to lay claim to world record times over 1200m.[1]

1954 racebook

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  • 1954 WRC Wellington Cup racebook front cover
    1954 WRC Wellington Cup racebook front cover
  • 1954 WRC Wellington Cup raceday officials
    1954 WRC Wellington Cup raceday officials
  • 1954 WRC Telegraph Handicap page starters and results
    1954 WRC Telegraph Handicap page starters and results
  • 1954 WRC Telegraph Handicap page showing the winner, John Gilpin
    1954 WRC Telegraph Handicap page showing the winner, John Gilpin
  • 1954 WRC Telegraph Handicap page starters and results
    1954 WRC Telegraph Handicap page starters and results
  • 1954 WRC Wellington Cup train arrangements
    1954 WRC Wellington Cup train arrangements

Previous winners

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Year
 Winner
 Sire
 Dam
 Jockey
 Trainer(s)
 Time
 Second
 Third
2025[2] Grail Seeker 56.5 Iffraaj (GB) Starwish (Aus) Kevin Stott Lance O'Sullivan & Andrew Scott 1.07.71 (soft) Sacred Satono 58.5 Navigator 58.5
2024[3] Mercurial 58.5 Burgundy (NZ) Roxette (NZ) Samantha Spratt Stephen Marsh 1:08.51 (good) Express Yourself 56.5 Bonny Lass 56.5
2023[4] Levante 56.5 Proisir (Aus) Island Doy (GB) Ryan Elliot Ken & Bev Kelso 1:07.11 (good) Babylon Berlin 56.5 Ifndoubtgetout 58.5
2022[5] Levante 56.5[6] Proisir (Aus) Island Doy (GB) Ryan Elliott Ken & Bev Kelso 1:06.18 (good) Roch 'N' Horse 56.5 Mascarpone 58.5
2021[7] Avantage 56.5 Fastnet Rock (Aus) Asavant (NZ) Danielle Johnson Jamie Richards 1:06.97 (good) Spring Heat 56.5 Burgundy Belle 56.5
2020[8] Avantage 56.5 Fastnet Rock (Aus) Asavant (NZ) Opie Bosson Jamie Richards 1:07.04 (good) Enzo’s Lad 58.5 Spring Heat 56.5
2019 [9] Enzo's Lad 58 Testa Rossa (Aus) Sheerama (Aus) Michael McNab Michael & Matthew Pitman 1:06.95 (good) Ferrando 55.5 Sensei 55.5
2018 [10][11] Enzo's Lad 55.5 Testa Rossa (Aus) Sheerama (Aus) Sam Weatherley Michael & Matthew Pitman 1:08.30 (good) Kawi 59 Ferrando 55.5
2017[12] Signify 55 Perfectly Ready (Aus) Pica Pica (NZ) Racha Cuneen Alex Cowan, Ashburton 1:07.71 Start Wondering 58 Perfect Fit 56
2016 Adventador 55.5 Fast 'N' Famous (Aus) Alpine Beauty (NZ) Matt Cameron Gus Lowry & Grant Cullen 1:08.34 Miss Seton Sands 53.5 Trepidation 53
2015 Sacred Star 57 Flying Spur (Aus) Irish Nova (NZ) Vinnie Colgan Tony Pike 1:07.71 Designated Driver 53 Trepidation 53
2014 Irish Fling 52 Darci Brahma (NZ) Irish Belle (NZ) Mark Du Plessis Gus Lowry & Grant Cullen 1:07.48 Natuzzi 54.5 Jaggard 52
2013 Final Touch 58 Kashani (USA) My Lydia (Aus) Chris Johnson John & Karen Parsons 1:08.53 Xanadu 55 Burgundy 55
2012 Guiseppina 53 Johar (USA) Battocchi (NZ) James McDonald Steven Ramsay & Julia Ritchie, Maungatautari 1:06.94 Atomic Force 59 El Chico 55
2011 Mufhasa 56.5 Pentire Sheila Cheval (NZ) Samantha Spratt Stephen McKee, Ardmore 1:07.04 First Command 58.5 Coup Align 56.5
2010 Vonusti 52.5 Ustinov (Aus) Reasonably (Aus) Noel Harris Tim & Margaret Carter 1:09.36 Tootsie 52.5 Stupendous 52.5
2009 Mufhasa 55.5 Pentire Sheila Cheval (NZ) Samantha Spratt Stephen McKee, Ardmore 1:07.39 Atapi 55 Ruud Van Slaats 53.5
2008[13] Seachange 58.5 Cape Cross (Ire) Just Cruising (Aus) Gavin McKeon Ralph Manning, Cambridge 1:06.66 Kay’s Awake 55 Maximum Star 52
2007 Darci Brahma 57 Danehill (USA) Grand Echezeaux (NZ) Opie Bosson Mark Walker 1:07.00 Seachange 55.5 Kay's Awake 53
2006 Gee I Jane 55.5 Jahafil (GB) Miss Distinction (NZ) Scott Seamer Neville Couchman, Cambridge 1:07.77 Dezigna 52.5 Magistra Decta 53
2005[14] Keeninsky 50.5 Stravinsky (USA) So Keen (NZ) Allan Peard[15] Graeme Rogerson & Stephen Autridge, Tuhikaramea 1:07.55 Sedecrem 56.5 Dezigna 50.5
2004[16] King's Chapel King of Kings (Ire) Lower Chapel (GB) Noel Harris Mark Walker 1:06.79 Sunlaw Sedecrem
2003 Tit For Taat 58.5 Faltaat (USA) Miss Kiwitea (NZ) Michael Walker Anne Herbert 1:07.64 Egyptian Raine 58 Fair Embrace 54
2002 Vinaka 52.5 Volksraad (GB) Shepherd's Delight (NZ) Lance O'Sullivan Jim Gibbs 1:08.06 Life Of Riley 52 Spring Rain 54
2001 Star Of Gold 53 Famous Star (GB) Goldtaine (NZ) Peter D Johnson Stephen & Trevor McKee 1:07.76 Spring Rain 53 Travellin' Man 52.5
2000[17] Fritz 53 Kreisler (Ire) Brighten Up (GB) Noel Harris Neil Coulbeck, Leithfield 1:07.63 Cheiron 54 Star Of Gold 54
1999 Bawalaksana 52 Straight Strike (USA) Princess Jocinda (NZ) Lance O'Sullivan Paul O’Sullivan 1:06.51 Buster Brookfield 52 Samboa 53
1998 Vegas 51.5 Kaapstad (NZ) Some Jewel (Aus) Opie Bosson Graeme Rogerson & Keith Hawtin 1:08.85 Kiora Star 52 Coogee Walk 53
1997[18] O'Reilly 49 Last Tycoon (Ire) Courtza (NZ) Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O’Sullivan, Matamata 1:07.36 Classic Royal 49 Krispin Klear 55.5
1996 Loader 55 Pre Catelan (Aus) Rhapsody Rose (NZ) Chris Johnson Peter J & Dawn M Williams 1:06.85 Sun Spot 55 Snap 50
1995[19] Lord Tridan 57 Lord Ballina (Aus) Salaprime (NZ) Tony Allan Michael Moroney, Matamata 1:07.06 Rampage 48.5 Saxonvale 54.5
1994[20] Lady Madonna 50 Kingdom Bay (NZ) Donna's Habit (NZ) Jim O'Styke Grant Searle 1:10.40 Enhancer 51.5 Lord Tridan 56
1993 Victory Dias 49.5 Avon's Lord (NZ) My Totara Lass (NZ) Craig Beets C W & Jim Gibbs & Lance Noble 1:06.59 Lord Tridan 51 Javelin 56
1992 Morar[21] 52.5 Otehi Bay (Aus) Hinewai (NZ) Larry Cassidy Dave & Paul O’Sullivan 1:08.91 Mrs Selleck 49.75 Romanee Conti 47
1991[22] Vain Sovereign[23] 52 Truly Vain (Aus) Sherwyn's Gold (NZ) Brian Hibberd M R Campbell 1:08.31 Mr Tiz 60.5 Hypervain 50
1990 Mr Tiz[24] 55.5 Bletchingly (Aus) Yir Tiz (NZ) Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O’Sullivan 1:07.99 Vain Sovereign 52 Zephyr Magic 55.5
1989 Mr Tiz 50.5 (dead heat) Bletchingly (Aus) Yir Tiz (NZ) Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O’Sullivan 1:07.66 - Sirstaci 50
1989 Festal 49 (dead heat) Vain (Aus) Party (Aus) Larry Cassidy Bruce Marsh 1:07.66 - Sirstaci 50
1988 Courier Bay[25] 58 Diplomatic Agent (USA) Bay Ruth (NZ) David Walsh G A White 1:07.45 Sirstaci 49.5 Squire Gray 47.5
1987[26] Courier Bay 54.5 Diplomatic Agent (USA) Bay Ruth (NZ) David Walsh G A White 1:07.45 Kosha 57 Knight Invader 50
1986 Tanalyse[27] 54.5 Alvaro (GB) Ventian Topaz (GB) David Walsh D Grubb 1:07.35 Princess Dram 53 Silver Tip 51.5
1985[28] High Regards[29] 48.5 Trictrac (Fra) Savarnah (NZ) Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O’Sullivan, Matamata 1:07.23 Romantic Bay 48.5 Clear Gold 56.5
1984[30] Mac's Gamble[31] 53 Shifnal (Aus) Mac's Bonnie (NZ) Debbie Healey M M Phillips 1:08.45 Pinson 55.5 Atrapar 54.5
1983 So Modest[32] 49.5 So Vain (Aus) Darilyn Kaye (NZ) Greg Childs K, KR & N Crawford 1:07.52 Diplomante 54 So Dandy 56
1982[33] Our Shah[34] 55 Shahram (GB) Our Rene (NZ) Lance O'Sullivan Dave & Paul O’Sullivan & Mike Moroney 1:09.52 Diplomante 55 Anderil 55
1981[35] Anderil[36] 54.5 Hasty Cloud (Ire) Charsada (NZ) C McNab Dave & Paul O’Sullivan & Mike Moroney 1:07.50 Diplomante 49.5 Valencia 52.5
1980[37] Flying View[38] 54 Country Dance (GB) Loch View (NZ) S Laming K H Pratt 1:09.50 Anderil 48.5 Silver Nymph 50
1979[39] Arbre Chene[40] 57 Oakville (GB) Marija Jean (NZ) R D Vance P K Cathro 1:09.75 Pennevari 48.5 Purple Kiwi 52
1978[41] Extra Flash[42] 47 Serenader II (Ire) Princess Nike (NZ) S R Autridge H W Mathews 1:09.75 Sly Wink 50.5 Heidelberg 49.5

Wellington Cup Carnival

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Other major races include the:

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Horse Racing: Credibility the key to world records". The New Zealand Herald. February 1, 2025.
  2. ^ "Race 7 TAB TELEGRAPH at WELLINGTON RC on 4 JAN 2025 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  3. ^ "Race 8 JR & N BERKETT TELEGRAPH at WELLINGTON RC on 13 JAN 2024 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  4. ^ "Race 8 JR & N BERKETT TELEGRAPH at WELLINGTON RC on 14 JAN 2023 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  5. ^ "Race 8 JR & N BERKETT TELEGRAPH at WELLINGTON RC on 15 JAN 2022 | LOVERACING.NZ".
  6. ^ "Levante wins Telegraph in unofficial world record time over 1200 metres". 15 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Race 8 JR & N BERKETT TELEGRAPH at WELLINGTON RC on 16 JAN 2021 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  8. ^ "Race 7 JR & N BERKETT TELEGRAPH at WELLINGTON RC on 18 JAN 2020 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  9. ^ "Race 7 JR & N BERKETT TELEGRAPH at WELLINGTON RC on 19 JAN 2019 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  10. ^ "Race 7 JR & N BERKETT TELEGRAPH at WELLINGTON RC on 20 JAN 2018 | LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  11. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2018 (47th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
  12. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2017 (46th edition). Dennis Ryan, Editor, Racing Media NZ Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
  13. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2008 (37th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand.
  14. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2005 (34th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand
  15. ^ "Racing: Winning post 'just in time'". The New Zealand Herald. February 6, 2024.
  16. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2004 (33rd edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Paeroa, New Zealand
  17. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 2000 (29th edition). Bradford, David, Editor. Bradford Publishing Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
  18. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1997 (26th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
  19. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1995 (24th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Mike Dillon's Racing Enterprises Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
  20. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1994 (23rd edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Meadowset Publishing, Auckland, New Zealand
  21. ^ "Morar (NZ) 1987 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  22. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1991 (20th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand
  23. ^ "Vain Sovereign (NZ) 1985 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  24. ^ "Mr Tiz (AUS) 1984 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  25. ^ "Courier Bay (NZ) 1982 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  26. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1987 (16th edition). Dillon, Mike, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand
  27. ^ "Tanalyse (NZ) 1980 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  28. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1985 (Fourteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand
  29. ^ "High Regards (NZ) 1978 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  30. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1984 (Thirteenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand
  31. ^ "Mac's Gamble (NZ) 1975 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  32. ^ "So Modest (NZ) 1978 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  33. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1982 (Eleventh edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand
  34. ^ "Our Shah (NZ) 1976 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  35. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1981 (Tenth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand
  36. ^ "Anderil (NZ) 1975 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  37. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1980 (Ninth edition). Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand
  38. ^ "Flying View (NZ) 1973 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  39. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1979 (Eighth edition).Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand
  40. ^ "Arbre Chene (NZ) 1974 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.
  41. ^ New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Annual 1978 (Seventh edition).Costello, John, Editor. Moa Publications, Auckland, New Zealand
  42. ^ "Extra Flash (NZ) 1973 / Breeding / LOVERACING.NZ". loveracing.nz.