Duke of Gloucester Cup

Friday 19 September 2025 at Te Aroha Racecourse

Hunting and racing developed side by side in New Zealand with pioneer families taking part in both. In the past many Hunts had racing permits to run Hunt Race Meetings with jumping races featuring. Today only two Hunts, the Pakuranga and the Rotorua & Bay of Plenty Hunt, continue to hold permits with a number of other Hunts being unofficially involved with racing and having “Hunt rooms” at a local race meeting.

The Duke of Gloucester Cup was presented to NZ Racing by the Duke after his visit in 1935 for an annual amateur riders race. In 1951 the NZHA took over its administration and to this day, the cup is still regarded as the most prestigious trophy for amateur riders to win. The NZHA donates a miniature for the rider and for the owner annually.

Ingrained in the history of New Zealand racing is the Duke Of Gloucester Cup, which is held at a different racecourse every year. Part of NZTRs Amateur Rider Series, the rating 65 Benchmark race is run over 2100m.

One of the most memorable racedays in the Marton Jockey Club’s proud history took place in 1935 when Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester, who was the son of the reigning monarch King George V attended the Club’s New Year’s day race meeting at Marton.

It was reported that over 10,000 patrons attended the Marton races that day and when the military band struck up Land of Hope and Glory and the National anthem everyone oncourse burst into song. Not only did his Royal Highness Prince Henry attend the races that day, at the invitation of his host Sir Thomas Duncan, arrangements were made for the Duke to ride a horse called Black Man in the one mile and 137 yard Ladies’ Bracelet race for amateur riders which carried a stake of 50 pounds plus a trophy. Black Man and the Duke of Gloucester led clearly in the early stages, but the favourite began to wilt as the field turned for home under his big weight of 13 stone 2 pounds and they faded to finish fourth. 

Later that day the Duke presented the Marton Cup trophy won by the very good mare Cuddle to her Hasting owner-trainer C J Stowe. After her win in the 1935 Marton Cup, Cuddle went on to be one of New Zealand’s very best staying mares, winning two Auckland Cups, the New Zealand Cup and Doncaster Handicap in Australia. Wellington Racing Club’s Cuddle Stakes is still run in recognition of her prowess.

The Duke was obviously impressed with the hospitality he received from the Marton Jockey Club and later presented a trophy to be known as the Duke of Gloucester Cup, for competition amongst amateur riders. The Duke of Gloucester Trophy is still competed for annually in New Zealand, and changes venue each year.