10 Fun Facts About the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup

1. The Trotting Cup is Actually for Pacers!

Despite the name, the NZ Trotting Cup isn’t for trotters; it’s a race for pacers! Pacers have a distinctive gait, moving their legs in lateral pairs, unlike trotters who move diagonally. This unique difference sets the NZ Cup apart from the Dominion Trot, which showcases trotters. 

The “Trotting” in the name reflects the historical terminology rather than the actual gait of the horses competing. In the early days of harness racing in New Zealand, "trotting" was a broad term used for the sport as a whole, regardless of whether the horses were pacers or trotters. So, when they named the New Zealand Trotting Cup, they used "trotting" to represent the entire harness racing sport, not specifically the trotting gait.

2. $1 Million Prize Pool – Back After Over a Decade

The 2024 NZ Trotting Cup boasts a prize pool of $1 million, a level not seen since 2009. This increase cements its position as one of the richest harness racing events in Australasia, attracting top talent from New Zealand and Australia.

3. Two Iconic Races, One Big Day

For the first time, the $1 million IRT New Zealand Cup and the $400,000 Dominion Trot will be held on the same day, giving fans a full lineup of pacing and trotting talent. Both races are run over 3200 meters, making this year’s Cup Day a true endurance test.

4. Record-Breaking Winning Margins

The NZ Cup’s largest winning margin since 1941 is held by Lazarus, who won by an incredible 10 lengths in 2016. Other standout margins include Steel Jaw (9.5 lengths in 1983) and False Step (8 lengths in 1959). The Dominion Trot’s biggest winning margin since 1941 belongs to Durban Chief, who won by 9 lengths in 1958.

5. Legendary Winning Streaks

Last year’s NZ Cup champion, Swayzee, is returning to defend his title—an achievement only a select few have managed. Back-to-back winners are rare, and even fewer have claimed the Cup three times. Only Terror To Love (2011-2013), False Step (1958-1960), and Indianapolis (1934-1936) hold this incredible distinction, each winning the Cup three times in a row.

Similarly, in the Dominion Trot, Oscar Bonavena is returning as the reigning champion, hoping to join a prestigious club of repeat winners. Only two horses, Lyell Creek and Sundees Son, have won the Dominion three times, with Sundees Son securing his three consecutive wins from 2020 to 2022.

6. Big-Time Favorites

In the 109 editions of the NZ Cup, 26 favorites have won, with the shortest winning odds paid at $1.40 when Lazarus triumphed in 2017. On the Dominion Trot side, 25 favorites have taken the title, including Take A Moment at a $1.00 payout in a rare dead heat with Martina H in 2002.

7. Fastest Times

The NZ Cup’s record time is held by Lazarus, who completed the race in 3:53.1 in 2016. In the Dominion Trot, Sundees Son set the record in 2021 with a time of 3:56.6, breaking the 4:00.0 mark in the 3200-meter trotting event for the first time.

8. Trans-Tasman Rivals – “The Larry and Harry Show”

This year, Australian champions are making waves, led by Leap To Fame (nicknamed "Larry") and Just Believe ("Harry"). Both are favorites in the NZ Cup and Dominion Trot, respectively. Leap To Fame’s record includes 15 wins from 16 starts in 2023, while Just Believe remains undefeated in New Zealand races earlier this year.

9. A Massive Hospitality Operation

With thousands flocking to Addington Raceway, Cup Day hosts an impressive array of food and drink options. The day’s preparation includes 800kg of chicken, 1 tonne of beef brisket, 350 dozen oysters, 10,000 bottles of water, and much more. It’s a feast fit for the 5,000 corporate guests, staff, and enthusiastic racegoers on site!

10. Famous Firsts and Big Moments

Several remarkable firsts have taken place in the NZ Cup. Yulestar was the first pacer to break the 4:00.0 barrier with a time of 3:59.1 in 2000. In 2015, Kerryn Manning became the first female driver to win the Cup with Arden Rooney. This year could mark another milestone if both Grant and Trista Dixon race, becoming the first husband-wife duo to drive in the NZ Cup.