The Canterbury Jockey Club is pleased to announce that the 2025 Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Grand National Steeplechase (5600m) will be run for a stake of $200,000, thanks to the support of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) and the Trustees of the Christchurch Racecourse.

The iconic race will be held on Saturday 9 August at Riccarton Park Racecourse and marks a historic milestone as the 150th running of the event - an anniversary that has not gone unnoticed by the Trustees.

Peter Cordner, Chairman of the Trustees of the Christchurch Racecourse, commented on the significant increase. 

“In 1878 the land now commonly known as Riccarton Park Racecourse was vested in the Trustees of the Christchurch Racecourse. It is fitting that our Board supports the celebration of the 150th running of a race that is such an integral part of the fabric of this famous piece of New Zealand land that we administer”.

Race sponsor Nigel Butterfield, principal of the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge, added “Our hotel has sat opposite Riccarton Park Racecourse since 1883 and is honoured to be associated with one of New Zealand racing’s iconic events. The pub has hosted countless Grand National celebrations and welcomes this synergy with the Canterbury Jockey Club continuing.”

The Grand National Steeplechase now joins the Group 3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) and Group 3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) as Riccarton Park races that have reached their sesquicentennial.