Hunterville, who cost owner Doug MacKenzie only $1000, became the first jumper in New Zealand racing history to attain three consecutive wins in one of the world’s toughest and most gruelling tests of horse and jockey, the Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m), at Ellerslie.  He was successful in taking out the heartstopping race in 1983, 1984 and 1985. In the third of these wins he carried 66.5kg to a crowd-pleasing victory in a race which boasted prize-money of $120,000.

Hunterville had wonderful reserves of strength and stamina which he was able to call on when most other horses were throwing in the towel. Incredibly he was 17h 1.5in high (5 18 at the shoulder).

He bowed out of racing on a winning note in the 1985 McGregor Grant Steeples at Ellerslie which marked his seventh win on the Auckland Racing Club’s unique steeplechase course where he jumped 193 fences and ran a combined distance of 72km.

Statistics

1975 bay gelding

Treason Trial-Wedding Ring by Blueskin II

Breeder: Doug MacKenzie

Owner: Doug MacKenzie

Trainer: Ron Cropp (New Zealand)

Race Record: 34 starts, 9 wins, 4 seconds, 5 thirds

Prize Money: NZ$203,245

Major wins: Great Northern Steeplechase (3 times), McGregor Grant Steeplechase

(twice)