The South Australian Grand National Hurdle traces all the way back to 5^th Aug 1882 where it was run over 3 miles as a feature for the Adelaide Racing Club.  That day a field of 10 lined up with Cassablanca the favourite while The Banker was considered small for a jumps horse though looked well on the day.  A group of 4 including The Banker and Brigand went to the front 800m from the line with that pair settling down to fight it out with The Banker proving superior winning by 1 ½ lengths.  A year later the bay 5yo mare Agitation defeated Lady Carrington and Freedom and later went on to run second on the flat in the Onkaparinga Cup and was still racing in 1886 in Melbourne.

 The Grand National Hurdle disappeared off the program for several years before coming back in 1888 where another mare called Lovelock defeated Banker with Jerry Sneak third.  Lovelock (by Lockleys) started her career as a 2yo in the Sapling Stakes in 1887 but by April 1888 she was racing over the hurdles though had a bad habit of running off.  In August 1888 she lined up in the Grand National Hurdle and after being well back early she came through along the inside to be into second place by the 1200m.  In the home straight she continued to make ground eventually racing away to win by 10 lengths.  The following April Morphettville flooded including the boxes where Lovelocks was stabled and although the water reportedly got to 4 foot high all horses were ok.  Lovelocks was offered for sale the following November but failed to be sold on and remained for sale as she resumed her race career.  After winning a Hurdle at the Tatts meeting she went to Oakbank for the Great Eastern Steeplechase but refused at the first fence.  At her next two starts she also refused/baulked or ran off and was soon spelled.  Sold before the following January Lovelocks started her next preparation winning a Hurdle at Round Hill and later in the year won a Steeplechase at Broken Hill by 6 lengths before winning a Hurdle at the Acacia Dam races a few weeks later. 

Sent back to Adelaide she ran off in a Steeplechase before being injured in the lead up to Oakbank.  Recovering from the injury she won a Steeplechase in May but returned to her old form of running off or refusing.  Given a short let up Lovelocks then ran in a Steeplechase where she led until the last jump where she fell but lined up in the SA Grand National Steeplechase a week later whre again she refused and stopped halfway through.  Returned to Broken Hill she won a Steeplechase and then came back to Adelaide where she was third in a steeple at the Tatts meeting before a short let up and then a win on 26 Dec in the Port Adelaide Steeplechase.  Two days later she fell in another race and was soon reported as having broken down and going for a spell.  It was now 1893 and Lovelocks was aimed at Oakbank again where she was unplaced in the Great Eastern Steeplechase before easily winning a Steeple at Victoria Park 5 days later.  A short let up followed before Lovelocks was fourth in a Steeplechase and repeated that placing again a month later at Morphettville where she fell but was remounted and finished the race (as were the rules in that era).  A win in a Steeple in August 1993 followed before an unplaced effort in the SA Grand National Steeplechase after falling and being remounted.  Lovelocks was sent to stud but failed to get into foal to Clonard and after a spell she had two runs for a 4^th on boxing day before she ran off in another Steeplechase.   In May it was announced that she would return to stud and be sent to either Richwell or King William but her owner feared she may be barren.  Over a year later in Jun 1895 Lovelocks was reported to be prepared for a Hurdle at Broken Hill and indeed ran in a race at the end of July but baulked twice during the race. 

The next notable winner of the SA Grand National Hurdle was Simpleton who was by Sir Edmund.  In 1889 he won a hurdle at Snowtown before failing to finish in two runs at Balaklava and Jamestown.  Two weeks later he had 3 runs on the same day at Kapunda where he was 3^rd in the Hurdle, 2^nd in the Railway Stakes before winning the Consolation Stakes.  Unplaced at Oakbank Simpleton ran second in a hurdle at Morphettville but was disqualified for weighing in light.  Five days later he was 3^rd in a Hurdle then two days later was second in a Ladies Bracelet  at Morphettville.  At the June meeting at Broken Hill he won both the Silverton Cup and Forced Hcp on the same day before missing a jump in the Hurdle several days later.  This led to a match race being set up a few days later with Don over a mile but word soon got out the planned jockey of Simpleton had been paid to lose.  Disqualified for 3 months and replaced Simpleton led the match race throughout to win easily.  Unplaced in the 1989 Grand National Hurdle he later won a flat race at Morphettville before a third in a Hurdle a few days later.  A brief let up followed and Simpleton then won the Maitland Plate before winning the Henley Beach Handicap over a mile actually run on Henley Beach.  He then won the Christmas Hcp at Broken Hill before running second in a Hurdle at Morphettville on Jan 1 1890.  Simpleton was soon set for a preparation on the flat where he dead heated for first in a Flying in late January before leading throughout to win at Bolivar.  An unplaced run in the Port Adelaide Cup followed but he was soon back on the winners list taking out a Handicap at Strathalbyn then a city Hcp at Victoria Park where he led throughout in both races.  At the end of June he was last in the Birthday Cup at Vic Park before being put through the sales ring and selling for 250 guineas when his owner decided to put his entire racing stock up for sale.   Returning to Broken Hill Simpleton returned to the winner list taking out the Flying Hcp on 12 June before taking out a Railway Stakes 2 days later.  It was then to Port Augusta where he won the Members Cup before going back to Victoria Park where he was pulled up in the Filgate Cup and walked across the line.   He was later 2^nd in a Flying Hcp at Cheltenham before a 3^rd in the Squatters Purse at Louth and then 2^nd in the Monarto Cup where there was a track near the railway line in November.  IN December 1990 it was back to the city with a win in the Tatts Cup at Victoria Park and then a win in the Anniversary Hcp at the Glenelg races (old course). 

Simpleton started 1991 on Jan 1^st winning the hurdle and then running 4^th in the New Years Gift at Morphettville before winning a hurdle in Melbourne later in the month.  He was then prepared for Oakbank where he was third across the line in a Hurdle on March 30^th but weighed in light and was disqualified before being unplaced in the Onkaparinga Cup on the same day.  Simpleton was then 7^th in the Goodwood Hcp and then 5^th in the Adelaide Cup 9 days later before returning to the winners lists in a hurdle at Victoria Park on May 2^nd.  Unsuccessful in several flat runs he won a hurdle and was spelled until the spring.  First up he was unplaced in the Mayors Mile at Victoria Park before winning the SA Grand National Hurdle from Mystic and Pure Grit where he led all the way.  At his next start he ran off in a hurdle on September 1^st  the later in the day running third on the flat.  Four days later Simpleton won a hurdle in a canter by 3 lengths at Morphettville before running second in the Broken Hill Cup.  In October he won a Corinthian Flat race over 1 mile with 12.7 at Morphettville before heading to Flemington for Cup week but was unplaced in both Hurdles before running second to Pateena in a Hurdle at Caulfield a week later.  A short campaign over Christmas followed with a 3^rd in the Christmas Hcp at Cheltenham then a 4^th in the Anniversary Hcp 2 days later before an unplaced effort in the New Years Gift at Morphettville.   After a spell Simpleton returned to racing over the jumps later in 1892 winning a hurdle at Morphettville and was then unlucky when unplaced 4 days later as a fallen runner cannoned into him during the race.  Several unplaced runs followed before a second in a Corinthian Plate with 11st before a let up leading into running 5^th in the SA Grand National Hurdle.  Despite not having won for several months he was still given big weights in the jumps races and was 4^th in a hurdle on Sep 1^st carrying 12.9.  Not long after he and a steeplechaser called The Judge were taken to India by Mr Arnold Ferry who had been his regular jockey – there was reportedly around 300 horses transport on the same ship.  In January 1893 it was reported that Simpleton had run second in his first race in India to Lady Grace and was ridden by Australian J Williamson.

 The well bred Bethnal won the SA Grand National Hurdle in 1899 being by Neckersgat from Maritima.  After winning the race he backed up a week later to run 5^th in a hurdle at Victoria Park and was then sent to Randwick where he 4^th in a Hurdle before returning to SA for a flat race two weeks later.  Bethnal was then sent to Flemington for Melbourne Cup week where he won the Cup Day hurdle before running 4^th in the second race two days later.  Soon after he was reported as being sold and finished 1899 with a 4^th in a hurdle at Caulfield then back to Adelaide for a win in a Jumpers Flat at Morphettville.  He was then spelled and after negotiations to sell him to India fell through he was prepared for Oakbank where he won the Harry D Young Hurdle but afterwards a trip to Melbourne was also cancelled and he was soon sent for another spell after not training on well.  Returning to training in December 1900 he was again prepared for Oakbank but fell in the Great Eastern Steeplechase  and later had a few soreness issues.  In late May 1901 Bethnal was sent to Melbourne for the features races and despite a fall at trackwork he was 3^rd in a steeple before running second in the VRC Grand National Steeplechase carrying 12.01 beaten ¾ length.  A fall in the VATC Grand National (later known as the Australian Steeplechase) followed and by the following year he was reported as now being trained by R Frew and was unplaced in April in a steeple at Flemington.  After that he was ‘fired’ and not expected to race for sometime which turned out to be accurate as he didn’t return to training until December 1902.  A serious leg issue resulted in Bethnal not racing that preparation and in May 1903 he was sold for a paltry 5 guineas and was reported to then be spelled for 12 months due to an ‘ugly’ leg.  It appeared that he must have been retired until official records showed that Bethnal returned to racing in August 1906.  Now 12yo and owned by A de Banks he had four starts in the Western Australia goldfields being unplaced in two Hurdles at Coolgardie before  running second in the Great Western Hurdle at Boulder and finally ran last of 4 in a Jumpers Flat at Canning Park.

 In 1905 York proved to be the best jumper in the country but it hadn’t always been that way.  Sold as a yearling for 30 guineas he was by successful sire Tostig from Conclusion and started his career with 3 unplaced runs on the flat before being moved on.  In 1903 he had two starts over hurdles and was also out of the placings.  Spelled until 1904 he resumed his career over the jumps but a fall and then an unplaced effort in steeplechases saw him spelled before heading back to the hurdles.  In a three start campaign York showed ability in running second in a hurdle at Victoria Park  but it wasn’t enough to stop him being moved on again to C Moorhouse for the 1905 winter season.  After 9 months off he was out of the placings at his first 3 runs but then was second at Cheltenham in June 1905 and by the following week was in Victoria for an unplaced run at Williamstown before backing up 4 days later for a win in a hurdle at Mentone.  Only 3 days later he lined up in the VRC Grand National Hurdle at Flemington and duly won after leading for the last 2 miles of the race before a 3^rd in the Doutta Galla Hurdle a week later.  York then won the VATC Grand National at Caulfield by leading all the way but was unplaced at Moonee Valley at his next start before a  2^nd in a Steeplechasers Flat back at Caulfield.  Sent straight back to SA he arrived in a 12 horse train box on the Thursday before the Grand National.  York made it three Grand Nationals in quick succession defeating The Actress and Bend Or in the SA feature.   That was his last Australian start and with a month he had been sold to be sent to the UK for the UK Grand National race.  York was exported on the RMS Ormuz which departed on 26 September 1905.  On arriving in the UK he was described as too ‘good looking’ for a steeplechaser and had his first UK race on March 16^th 1906 at Horton Park where he was pulled up 4 fences from the line.    He didn’t make the Grand National that year and in 1907 he fell in a Chase at Newbury in February but this time he made the big race however he fell at Beechers Brook on the second lap and didn’t race until the following year.  Set for the Grand National again in 1908 he was allotted 10.4 for the race but fell in the early stages.  York turned up in the news again sometime later when he was sold in the UK at auction to D Harrigan for 200 guineas.

 The first dual winner of the race was Mundiaba who early on showed ability of the flat with 4 seconds from his  6 starts in the 1905-1906 season however he then missed racing for the next 12 months returning in June 1907.  After a first up run on the flat he was second in a hurdle at Morphettville and then into the SA Grand National Hurdle where he defeated Concave and Royalty before backing up a week later and winning the Eastwood Hurdle at Victoria Park.  An unplaced run on the flat followed and Mundiaba was spelled for the following winter.  In 1908 he fell first up but then after placings in two Jumpers Flats he won hurdle at Victoria Park and then won his second Grand National Hurdle with again one unplaced run and another break.  In 1909 his form dropped as he was unplaced twice before running 8^th in the Sa Grand National and 6^th in the Eastwood Hurdle.  A second in a hurdle at Morphettville followed but 3 more unplaced runs saw the end to that campaign.   In April 1910 arrangements were made to be leased to the Frew stable in Melbourne but these plans fell through and he was sold to G Tantrum as it was felt he would be weighted out of Adelaide races.  He was unplaced at his first few runs and ultimately fell in the Emo Hurdle at Caulfield in October and injured a shoulder.  A brief spell followed and he returned to run third at Caulfield on 26 December and then fell in a hurdle at Flemington the following week before a break until September 1911.  Between September and January 1912 Mandiaba had 9 starts without success and it was at his final start at Mentone on January 6^th that he dropped dead.

 The next dual winner was Hardrada who was by Tostig from Grecian Beauty and he started his career with one start as a 3yo where he was second in a Trial Stakes at Lake Albert.  He returned the following season at 4 years with a second in the Lake Albert Cup and then Graziers Plate before heading to Adelaide.  After 3 unplaced flat runs he was second at Cheltenham in a Hurdle before a 5^th in a hurdle at Morphettville and then won the Torrens Hurdle at Victoria Park before running third in the Harry D Young Hurdle at Oakbank.  After a let up he was 5^th in a Jumpers Flat and then a Hurdle At Victoria Park before running second at Cheltenham.  This was enough to go to Melbourne where he was 7^th in both the VRC Grand National Hurdle and Doutta Galla Hurdle a week later.  Back to Adelaide he won the SA Grand National Hurdle from Waipuna with Kulcurna third.  Hardrada was spelled until the winter season of 1913 where after 3 unplaced runs he was third in the Port Phillip Hurdle at Williamstown and 4^th in the Toolambool Hurdle at Caulfield.  Back in Adelaide he won his second SA Grand National Hurdle where he carried 11.2 to defeat Master Miller and Katigawa and it was announced he was to be sent to Melbourne for the spring races and to be sold.  Hardrada travelled departed for Melbourne on the 6^th October but after being 4^th at Caulfield in the Emo Hurdle and pulling up lame a week later he was immediately booked to return to Adelaide.   After a spell he returned for the winter of 1914 and a possible tilt at a third Grand National but sadly in his first race back in May 1914 he was striding along in the lead and failed to rise over a jump along the back and was killed instantly when he fell.

 Pistolier was a horse so famous for his race career he had a street named after him in the Adelaide suburb of Plympton (just off Anzac Highway) near Morphettville.   Foaled in 1910 he started his race career in Melbourne with an unplaced effort in the feature for 2yos the Maribyrnong Plate.   As a 3yo he ran in the Christmas Hcp at Cheltenham but was unplaced and really took until his 4yo season to find his best form.    A win and a second on the same day at Murray Bridge was followed by a win at Gawler and then a win and a second at Victoria Park and when he returned to the Cheltenham Christmas carnival he won a welter on the feature day.  After a spell it took a few runs to find form but placings in two handicaps at Victoria Park were followed with wins in the Tennyson Hcp and Mayors Mile at the same track in June.  A let up followed where Pistolier was sent to Melbourne for two placings from 4 starts before returning to Adelaide  in December where he won the Queenstown Stakes and Port Adelaide Cup both at Cheltenham.  A break followed until September 1916 where he had a similar preparation to the previous year but could only manage one placing.  Spelled until May Pistolier was sent to Melbourne to be tried over the jumps and did not impress with his unplaced effort on debut at Epsom on 19 May 1917.  Four starts later he finally broke through with a win in a Hurdle at Moonee Valley and then started every week for the remaining 5 runs of his campaign.  He fell in the VRC Grand National Hurdle before running third in the Doutta Galla Hurdle and was then 6^th in a hurdle at Caulfield.  Another win at Moonee Valley followed before a fourth in the Australian Hurdle at Caulfield.

Returned to Adelaide Pistolier  had four unplaced flat runs before heading to Melbourne again where he was 3^rd in the VRC Grand National Hurdle and then won the Leamington Hurdle at Caulfield.   After a third in the Australian Hurdle at Caulfield he returned to Victoria Park and took out the SA Grand National Hurdle on 17^th August 1918.   He then had a number of issues which saw him go through three preparations over the next 18 months but he didn’t reappear at the races until March 1920.  With several unplaced runs in Melbourne and then a fall in the VRC Grand National it appeared he had lost all form but he then won the Leamington Hurdle at Caulfield again before a 3^rd in a Jumpers Flat before a second in the Australian Hurdle.  Two more placings over the Hurdles followed before he was sent for a break.   Pistolier started his winter campaign with several unplaced runs before a win in a Jumpers Flat at Moonee Valley and 9^th in the VRC Grand National and 7^th in the Australian Hurdle saw Pistolier return to Adelaide where he was unplaced in the SA Grand National before winning 3 hurdles in a row in finish his campaign. In 1922 he started with two unplaced runs in Adelaide before going back to Melbourne where he was placed in hurdles before a 10^th in the VRC Grand National Hurdle, 4^th in the Doutta Galla Hurdle, 2^nd in the Leamington Hurdle before a dead heat win in a Hurdle at Moonee Valley.  Pistolier finally broke though in winning the Australian Hurdle at Caulfield before returning to Adelaide and running second to St Roseland in the SA Grand National Hurdle before a spell.

Now 13 years old in 1923 Pistolier had his most unsuccessful season where he failed to find form with a fall in the VRC Grand National and being unplaced in the SA Grand National before running two thirds in a Hurdle and a Steeplechase in October before a spell. The following year Pistolier was set for Oakbank but only found form after Easter placed at Morphettville and then 8 weeks later won at Morphettville.  Missing the big races this year he went to Melbourne for 4 runs which yielded 2 placings in steeplechases in the spring.  Returning to Adelaide he had a preparation over the Summer which resulted in several unplaced efforts and a win in a steeple at Cheltenham.   Now 16 years old Pistolier was away from racing for a year and returned in March 1926 with an unplaced effort on the flat at Victoria Park.  With his runs spaced he finally found form with a dead heat third at Cheltenham and then a win at a Adelaide Hunt Club Steeple in July.  He then had 3 runs in the steeplechases culminating with the Grand National Steeplechase but without success.  Another 11 month spell followed but Pistolier returned to racing again as a rising 18yo with two unplaced efforts at the Adelaide Hunt Club meeting at Cheltenham and then in a steeple at Murray Bridge.  Two official starts as an 18yo followed for an unplaced effort in a steeple at Tailem Bend and a fall in a Hunt Club Cup at Morphettville.  Pistolier was reported as still being in training in December but didn’t race again and his record shows his career lasted 16 years.

 Oopina was also sired by Pistol and started his career with 2 wins at Cheltenham and Morphettville over the Christmas period in 1914.  As a 3yo he was good enough to win the Adelaide Guineas and then run a dead heart 3^rd in the SA Derby.  He lost form as a 4yo and when he returned as a 5yo he was unplaced in three runs before winning on the flat at Murray Bridge and two starts later was third in a hurdle at Cheltenham on 26 December followed by a win in a hurdle at the same track 2 days later.  He was prepared for Oakbank where he was third in a hurdle on 1^st April 1918.  The following season Oopina could only win a welter in April but the following August he returned to form in winning the SA Grand National carrying 11.4 before another two unplaced efforts.  Heading to Melbourne he was 4^th in the Cup Hurdle at Flemington then won the November Hurdle at the same course 2 days later another 4^th followed and then a spell to prepare for the 1920 winter season.  A winner in the hurdle at Flemington Oopina then won the Port Phillip Hurdle at Williamstown and then was out of the placings in the VRC Grand National Hurdle at Flemington.  A spell followed before he was 2^nd at Flemington then won the Oby Hurdle at Caulfield before a 4^th at Flemington.  Oopina found himself in Sydney the following March where he was 4^th and then fell in hurdles at Randwick a quick trip back to Melbourne he was 4^th at Caulfield then back to Randwick to win two  Hurdles on 4^th and 6^th June 1921.  Back in Melbourne he fell in the VRC Grand National Hurdle and struggled to find form until October where he was twice placed.  The following winter as a rising 10yo Oopina won two hurdles but then lost form.  Returning as a rising 11yo in 1923 Oopina was third in a steeple at Randwick and then won a steeple at the same course before winning a steeple at Caulfield a let up followed before he fell at Flemington and then went on to run second and place 4^th in steeples at Caulfield before he finished his preparation  with a 7^th in the Australian Steeplechase.  Now a 12yo Oopina returned to Adelaide from Melbourne via a steamer on 13 February 1925 and 4 local runs followed.  Unplaced on the flat he was 4^th in two steeplechases before falling at Morphettville.  On 13 June 1925 his retirement was announced and he was sent to Elder Smith & Cos paddocks at Dry Creek for retirement.

 The 1925 SA Grand National winner Stress was one of the lightest raced winners of the race with his career spanning from 2-10 years but only 25 starts.  Unplaced in the St Albans Stakes at Moonee Valley at his debut as a 2yo he was out of form until his 4yo season where he had 4 starts for a 3^rd in a hurdle at Moonee Valley.  As a 5yo his three starts were a 3^rd at Williamstown then a win in a hurdle at Moonee Valley and then another win at Moonee Valley a month later.  He was then absent for nearly 2 years and returned with a 2^nd in a hurdle at Flemington in late July before a 5^th in the Australian Hurdle at Caulfield and then won the SA Grand National Hurdle at Victoria Park.  Another break of 10 months followed then he had two starts for a second in a jumpers flat at Epsom and was unplaced in a hurdle at Caulfield in June 1927.  Six months later as a 9yo he returned to win a hurdle at Warrnambool and then had his final start the following September in 1928 where he was unplaced at Hamilton.

 Shavian was another dual winner of the SA Grand National Hurdle and was by Melbourne Cup winner Comedy King.  He showed little on the track at 2 and 3 yeares but as a 4yo won a Trail Stakes in April 1929 before winning two hurdles in July 1929 in Adelaide he then won the SA Grand National Hurdle with 10.12 before a break where he then turned up at Randwick where he was 4^th in a hurdle.  He had leg issues and was tried as a hack by his owners son but was tried as a racehorse again once he had gone hunting without issues. At the end of the next season he had returned to Adelaide racing where he ran second in a hurdle at Victoria Park in 3 starts for the season.  As a 7yo he again only had 3 starts with the only success a win in a steeple at a Adel ATC meeting.  Shavian finally found form again as a late 8yo where he was placed in two hurdles at Victora Park before winning 3 hurdles in a row during July 1931.  He then won the SA Grand National Hurdle for the second time on the 19 August but after that he lost form with only a 2^nd in a hurdle at Moephettville and a win at Cheltenham on 28 December from his remaining 8 starts.  In March 1934 he was sent to Melbourne to prepare for Oakbank but after one run was sent back to Murray Bridge.  After another break it was announced in June he would be prepared for another tilt at the SA Grand National Hurdle but didn’t return to racing.

 My Blarney the 1941 Grand National winner after being placed and then winning on the flat as a 3yo at Menindee and Broken Hill My Blarney was third at his first run over the jumps before winning two in a row at Broken Hill and then he was placed in a hurdle at the same track.  A short campaign over summer followed with a win and two placings from four starts over 5the jumps.  In the spring of 1939 My Blarney was placed in a jumpers flat and then was 2^nd in a steeple at Gawler and 2^nd in the SA Grand National Steeplechase at Victoria Park before running off at Morphettville and was so back in Broken Hill where he won a hurdle.  A let up followed until November where he was second in a hurdle at Broken Hill then won a hurdle in the same location before going to Adelaide and winning a hurdle at Morphettville on 1 January 1940.  Placings at Gawler followed before My Blarney returned to the winners list in April with 2 hurdles at Broken Hill.  Two wins in steeples at Victoria Park and Morphettville saw My Blarney head to Melbourne but he lost his rider in the VRC Grand National Steeplechase at Morphettville.  Given a break the 6yo won a hurdle at Cheltenham and was placed at Gawler 3 times out of 5 starts for the spring while over summer he had 7 jumps starts for 2 placings and wins at Morphettville and Cheltenham.  IN the spring he was out of form at his first four starts but then won the SA Grand National Hurdle and was second in the SA Grand National Steeplechase a week later.    Eight weeks later My Blarney went to Melbourne where he baulked at the fourth jump and ran off in a steeplechase at Moonee Valley then ran 4^th in the Cup Steeplechase at Flemington before a third in a steeple again at Flemington.  He then had two unsuccessful runs in Adelaide in January/February 1942 and wasn’t seen on a racetrack again until December 1943.   In a 10 start campaign My Blarney was prepared for  Oakbank races which had been transferred to Victoria Park and was placed twice in hurdles at Victoria Park before running second in the Great Eastern Steeplechase.  A let up followed returning in June where he was placed in 4 of 6 steeplechase starts before a 3^rd in the SA Grand National Hurdle  while a week later he fell in the Grand National Steeplechase.  Spelled until 1945 My Blarney returned again for Oakbank where he was 3^rd in a steeple at Cheltenham before running unplaced in the Great Eastern Steepelchase  but was 2^nd in the Cup Steeple at Victoria Park 5 days later.  A third in a steeple at Cheltenham followed but several starts later My Blarney fell in a steeplechase at Victoria Park and the 10yo had to be destroyed after fracturing his nearside cannon and knee.

 The SA Champion jumper Parilla’s Pride won the race in 1949 carrying 10.6 but he showed very little ability as a 2yo when he was unplaced at all 4 starts.  As a 3yo he improved to record a win in a handicap at Victoria Park amongst his 6 starts.  In the spring of his 4 year old season it was another 4 runs for the best result a 3^rd at Balaklava.  Spelled from September until March 1949 Parilla’s Pride had a further 3 unplaced runs on the flat before winning at his jumps debut in a Cup Hurdle at Victoria Park in April.  A third and then 3 successive wins over the jumps followed as it appeared Parilla’s Pride had found his calling.   However through July he had three unplaced runs but then ran in the SA Grand National Hurdle where he won well he finished the campaign with two runs in Victoria.  Returning for the 1950 jumping season Parilla’s Pride won a jumpers flat at Cheltenham as his lead up to Oakbank.  He then won the Great Eastern Steeplechase after a battle down the straight to win by a long head.  IN late May he won a steeplechase at Morphettville before going to Melbourne and taking out the VRC Grand National Steeplechase at Flemington.  He then returned to Adelaide to win the SA Grand National Steeplechase and became the first horse to win all four races and top to off the campaign he won a jumpers flat as well before a spell.   Parilla’s Pride started his lead up to Oakbank 1950 with a win on the flat the previous December then an unplaced run in the Port Adelaide Cup at Cheltenham.  In the Great Eastern Steeplechase  the huge weight of 12.7 weighed him down so best he could do was third place before winning a jumpers flat at Morphettville.    Off the scene until February 1952 Parilla’s Pride returned in indifferent form but was third in a hurdle at Victoria Park before running second in the Great Eastern Steeplechase.  At his next run he was 4^th in a Hurdle at Morphettville on May 10 1952 but pulled up lame and was led back to the mounting yard.  It was found he had injured a tendon in his nearside foreleg and he was off the scene until December 1953.  When he returned despite running 4^th in the Great Eastern Steeple he was a shadow of his former self yet was considered sound and as fit as he had ever been.  It was said if he didn’t regain his previous interest in racing he was to be tried hunting.  He was tried again in the spring and was unplaced on both occasions.   Again he missed 18 months and returned for 4 more starts as a late 11yo but after three unplaced efforts he was pulled up at Victoria Park. 

The 1958 winner was New Delhi. New Delhi was foaled in 1950 sired by Star of Baroda and from the Comedy King mare Charivari. Charivari produced 11 named foals including eight stakeswinners an incredible feat in any era. As a seven-year-old New Delhi was showing little form on the flat but in late December he won a Hurdle at Cheltenham before backing up a week later to run second again at Cheltenham. A break followed before New Delhi prepared for the 1958 Harry D Young Hurdle at Oakbank throughout March. After running three fourths from four flat runs New Delhi headed to Oakbank where he won the Harry D Young Hurdle by a nose from Alma's Love before heading to a country cups campaign. Fourth in the Casterton Cup he then won the Coleraine Cup and Millicent Cup before running fourth at Morphettville. Back over the hurdles New Delhi ran second to Barabra beaten four lengths with Beau Tie a further three lengths away third in the Port Adelaide Hurdle at Cheltenham. Two weeks later he won the Hampstead Hurdle at Victoria Park again defeating Alma's Love before returning a week later to win the South Australian Grand National Hurdle where he defeated Manker by 2 ½ lengths with Star Magic third and Alma's Love fourth.

A spell followed and the eight-year-old resumed in November running fourth in the Gardiner Memorial Handicap at Penola. Unplaced in three city runs New Delhi then won a Jumpers Flat at Cheltenham on December 27 before heading to Strathalbyn where he ran fourth behind Miss Woodburn. Problems after that run kept him away from racetracks until April 1960, some 15 months later. New Delhi returned with a first up fourth in the Presidents' Cup at Mount Gambier and then won the Lake Leake Handicap a week later at Kalangadoo. Four days later he was fourth in a Jumpers flat at Murray Bridge in a very short preparation leading up to his second attempt at the Harry D Young Hurdle. Carrying 11.1 (70.5kg) New Delhi ran second to Latelia beaten by a half length. Back to the flat racing New Delhi was then third in the Anzac Day Handicap at Mount Gambier then fourth in the Glenelg Handicap at Casterton. He again headed on a country cups campaign but his best finish was second in the Millicent Cup behind Bold Flash. Returning to jumps races New Delhi then ran fourth in the Pewsey Vale Hurdle and second in the Reid Hurdle both at Gawler. A fortnight later on 13th August he was fourth carrying 10.13 (69.5kg) in the South Australian Grand National Hurdle behind Baluarte before backing up a week later to win the South Australian Grand National Steeple with 11.2 (70.75kg) by three lengths from Smart Solly with a further three lengths to Land Major third. A spell followed and he then resumed with a fourth at Mount Gambier in late November. After running second in a Jumpers Flat at Victoria Park New Delhi was unplaced twice on the flat in his lead up to Oakbank. After winning the York Hurdle at Victoria Park on March 25th with 11.4 (71.5kg) New Delhi headed to the Harry D Young Hurdle a week later. Alloted 11.1 New Delhi was too good winning by a half head from Garden Walk with four lengths back to Granada in third place. New Delhi was now 10 and problems after his second Oakbank victory resulted in another long spell until April 1962. Unplaced at Penola New Delhi ran third in the May Handicap at Penola before being unplaced in a Jumpers Flat at Gawler. Further problems followed but New Delhi again returned to racing as a late twelve-year-old in June 1963. Unplaced in the Millicent Cup he ran fourth in a Jumpers Flat at Tailem Bend. Racing at Morphettville New Delhi ran seventh in the Glandore Hurdle then a week later as an official thirteen-year-old was sixth in the Reid Hurdle at Gawler. New Delhi was slowly racing his way to fitness and two more unplaced efforts on the flat saw the old horse ready to recapture his old form at Morphettville on September 28, 1963. Carrying the second topweight of 10.2 (Blue Gum winner of the 1963 Great Eastern carried the number one saddlecloth with 10.8) New Delhi bolted home the winner by six lengths from Mainsplash with a further two lengths to third placed Pickridge. After running second in a welter at Naracoorte and third in a Jumpers Flat at Morphettville New Delhi had his final race start on October 26 at Victoria Park. Burdened with topweight of 10.7 (66.5kg) New Delhi tried hard but failed to catch Canunda (9.5) who won by a long neck with five lengths back to Layuni third.  

The 1967 winner Bright Blend was well bred and a talented flat horse who easily made the transition to jumps racing.  Trained by Colin Hayes Bright Blend immediately made an impression as an early 2yo when he was third in the Morphettville Plate before winning a 2yo Handicap at Victoria Park.  Sent to Melbourne he was third in the Maribyrnong Plate and a week later won the Flemington Stakes on the last day of the carnival.  IN the autumn he won at Moonee Valley before a 2^nd in the VRC Sires Produce and then 3^rd in the SA Stakes at Morphettville followed by a 4^th in the PARC Sires Produce.  He later won 2 races at Victoria in June 1962.  As a 3yo he was third in the Adelaide Guineas before winning at Cheltenham and then a second in the Port Adelaide Guineas and Derby Stakes at Cheltenham leading into a second in the VRC Derby before winning the Batman Stakes both during the Flemington carnival.  A spell and a  preparation followed in the autumn where he was second at Victoria Park before winning at the same course and then taking out the SA St Leger at Morphettville.  At 4 years he only had one close up  run in the spring for a 4^th at Victoria Park then returned in the autumn for a third at Oakbank before winning at Morphettville and Cheltenham and  a second in the Gawler Cup.  Bright Blend had 15 starts as a 5yo winning at Cheltenham, Victoria Park and Gawler in Jan- Feb 1965 and 5 other placings.  Bright Blend won the OJ Smith Challenge Stakes and Port Adelaide Cup before finishing runner up in the New Years Gift over the summer carnival as a 6yo.  The following year he won at Victoria Park in October before running second in the New Years Gift and Australian Day Cup.  Instead of being spelled Bright Blend was then set for a career over the jumps where he won a hurdle at Oakbank before winning at Victoria Park two weeks later.  Back to the flat he was second in the Gawler Cup and then won a Jumpers Flat at Victoria Park.  In August as he officially turned 8 he won a lead up hurdle at Victoria Park before winning the SA Grand National Hurdle and that race turned out to be his last career start.

The 1984 winner was crowd favourite Zama Lad.  Foaled in 1975 he is by champion sire Zamazaan from the Agricola mare Farm Lass and was bred to be a champion stayer. His older half brother was Bottled Sunshine the winner of the 1974 QTC Derby and the 1975 WA Derby. Trained by Tony Selfe at Morphettville, Zama Lad showed promise as a younger horse winning the 1979 Rain Lover Plate (then known as the Simsmetal Plate) over 2250m from Runaway Bride. However it was as a jumper Zama Lad made his name. Racing in the summer of 1982 Zama Lad won the Milano Hurdle over 2600m at Morphettville by four lengths from Wind Power. Within eight days he backed up at Cheltenham to win the Burke Hurdle over 2850m by six lengths with Wind Power again in the runners up stall. Zama Lad then had two runs in Melbourne for a third behind Manacrest and a fifth behind Never Beheaded. Back in Adelaide Zama Lad was unplaced on the flat before running third behind The Looter and Hiroshi in the Orly Hurdle over 2600m at Morphettville. Two more flat runs prepared Zama Lad for his first attempt to win the Harry D Young Hurdle at Oakbank in April 1982. Carrying 60kg and ridden by AP Ware Zama Lad cruised away from the opposition to win by eight lengths from Daramulun with John's Harvest third. He was then well beaten in the Birthday Cup and missed racing for the rest of the year.

As a seven-year-old he resumed on the flat in late February 1983 finishing well back. Despite another unplaced run Zama Lad then went to Port Lincoln for the Cup over 1900m. Ridden by P Cook he was fifth of the 14 runners behind Red Du Jour. Back to Morphettville Zama Lad started to regain fitness and was 4th over 2000m. It was then to Oakbank where on the Saturday he was sixth, beaten little over three lengths in a Welter over 2000m, before his second attempt to win the Harry D Young Hurdle a feat not seen since New Delhi's victory in 1961 and never done in successive years. Despite striking early interference and being checked with 1600m left Zama Lad again showed his affinity with the Oakbank circuit to win by 2 ½ lengths from Old Fox with Blue Otway a further 2 ½ lengths away third. Zama Lad then went to Melbourne but fell in the Jacana Hurdle over 3000m as 2/1 favourite. A week later he was third behind The Ranger in record time in the DS McCormick Hurdle. Zama Lad then headed to the Hellenic Hurdle at Flemington in early May with a new rider Nick Harnett. As 5/4 favourite Zama Lad raced to victory by three lengths from Peter's Charm with Skyros third, four lengths away. Back to Adelaide Zama Lad was third beaten a neck by a long neck at Victoria Park over 2000m by Fast Tumble and Padigambol. A week later it was back to the Hurdles where Zama Lad was a close second to Loch Runour in the June Hurdle. A further week later he was back in Melbourne in the Toolambool Hurdle at Sandown. Carrying 68.5kg Zama Lad was too good winning by five lengths from Nicklebe with seven lengths to Shadru third. The following week he then won the Ardoch Handicap on the flat over 2600m from Pretty Toy before again backing up in the Grand National Hurdle at Flemington. With 65kg Zama Lad reunited with AP Ware raced to victory by 2 ½ lengths to Junior's Boy with 25 lengths back to Deschanel in third place. Zama Lad then ran sixth on the flat at Moonee Valley before heading for a spell. Zama Lad had raced on every Saturday from 4th June to his victory in the Grand National on 2 July. Resuming at Morphettville on March 10, 1984, Zama Lad was unplaced at his first three runs before returning to the jumps for the Justification Hurdle at his home track. Carrying 73kg Zama Lad finished third behind Shadru (63.5kg) and High Talent (62kg). Again he headed for Oakbank to try and win his third successive feature Hurdle. Sixth in the 2000m Welter on the Saturday Zama Lad was given the impost of 68.5kg in taking on a field of eight in the Harry D Young Hurdle two days later. In a tight finish the combination of Zama Lad and AP Ware prevailed winning by a neck from Hutch with Smalltime Gambler third. Unplaced in the West End Stakes Zama Lad headed to the Grand National at Murray Bridge three days later. Carrying 73kg Zama Lad won by 1 ¾ lengths from Forever Hunting (61.5kg) and Moravian (63.5kg). Then it was back to Melbourne for the winter jumping series. Well beaten behind River D'Or (once a rival of Kingston Town in his early racedays in Sydney) in the Australian Hurdle. Zama Lad was then sixth in the LV Lachal Hurdle again won by River D'Or. Unplaced in the Toolambool Hurdle at Caulfield Zama Lad again lined up to defend his title in the Grand National Hurdle at Flemington. Zama Lad fell as his stablemate Zamenhof raced on to a 12 length victory. Heading back to Adelaide Zama Lad was sixth in the Bold King Hurdle before returning to form was a six length victory in the South Australian Grand National Hurdle at Victoria Park where he carried 69kg to defeat Mallee Bronze with Sir Agrifo third. Zama Lad then heading to the spelling paddocks for the warmer months. Zama Lad returned to racing with several unplaced runs before running third on a heavy track at Morphettville in the Family of Man Handicap over 2450m behind Lochurst. He then took on stablemate Zamenhof in the Old Fox Hurdle at Cheltenham but Zamenhof went on to win by seven lengths with Rainbird Lover 1 ½ lengths away third. It was then to Oakbank where Zama Lad was trying to emulate Doiran in winning a feature jumping event four times. After running well back in the Welter on Saturday Zama Lad was sent out the 18/10 favourite despite Zamenhof also being in the field and receiving a four kilo weight advantage. Burdened with 69.5kg Zama Lad made his final charge down the straight where Zamenhof was in front. Over the last fence Zama Lad had taken the lead as Zamenhof stumbled after momentarily getting a hind leg caught in the brush fence with Sandbagger finishing strongly between them. In the run to the line it was between Zama Lad and Sandbagger but the champ conceding 9.5kg to Sandbagger was too strong winning by a half length with three lengths back to Zamenhof in third place. Soon after the record breaking victory Zama Lad was retired with a record of 101 starts for 18 wins and 14 placings. Instead of retiring to a paddock Zama Lad found a new career as a clerk of the course on Adelaide racecourses and continued through the rest of the 1980s in that job leading winning horses, including the champion Rubiton in his first start

My Court Jewel was the first dual winner of the SA Grand National Hurdle for many years winning his first in 1988.  His career started in country NSW where he won a Maiden Hcp as a 3yo in July 1985.  As a 4yo he managed 1 win in a Provincial Stakes  at Wyong from 15 starts but within 12 months he had been sold on to Victoria for $10,000 and was showing plenty of promise over the jumps.  My Court Jewel won three hurdles in a row at Bendigo, Stawell and Sandown before running second on the flat at Flemington and then second in a hurdle at Moonee Valley.  He then went to Canberra for the 1987 Cup Hurdle and was too good for the opposition in the invitation race.  After a spell My Court Jewel returned with three wins on the flat before winning the LV Lachal Hurdle at Flemington before going to Adelaide and ploughing through the wet conditions which saw two horses run off in the straight to win the 1988 SA Grand National Hurdle. 

Spelled for the following winter season he returned with several flat runs including a win in the City of Springvale Hcp before a 4^th in the LV Lachal Hurdle then he won the Moonee Valley Hurdle defeating Sharp As and Sir Agrifo.  A sixth to Sir Agrifo in the VRC Grand National Hurdle saw him return to Adelaide for the SA Grand National Hurdle in 1989 but he fell during the race.  Returning in 1990 he had a number of flat runs including one at Oakbank before connections felt he was ready to go back to the jumps but after an unplaced run in a hurdle at Caulfield he returned to the falt for three further runs including a win at Sandown in June 1990.  Next start he was 10^th in the Moonee Valley Hurdle and only had a handful of starts to complete his preparation all on the flat.

Now a late 9yo My Court Jewel started his final preparation with several flat runs in country Victoria before a 9^th in the LV Lachal Hurdle.  He was then fourth in the Moonee Valley Hurdle and then fell in the VRC Grand National Hurdle.  Back to Adelaide he lined up in the SA Grand National Hurdle and coming around the turn with three to jump he was still behind several horses but by the last it was Robsi in front with My Court Jewel out wide on the track trying hard to run him down.  With a stirring battle down the straight My Court Jewel eventually got the upper hand to come away and win from Robsi by 3 /12 lengths with the favourite Art Style third.  After the race it was declared he would be retired though he did have two flat runs in Melbourne before he was retired.

The 1998 SA Grand National Hurdle was one of the most memorable but for the wrong reason.  Coming to the home turn the race had one had one horse lose a rider with the rest in a packing field in contention but over the third last the second favourite made a mistake and fell after the jump and this caused a chain reaction where another 6 runners were either brought down or fell themselves with one Tempest Star retired from the race amongst the group of riderless horses.  The race itself saw Kosrose and Kingston Dream fight out a close finish where Kingston Dream won in a photo finish but there were so many loose horses even Todd Balfour riding Tempest Star collected the riderless Noble Colony as he was coming down the straight.  Apart from a few cuts and scratches all horses were fine as were the jockeys.

Karasi was originally purchased as a Cups horse after showing staying promise with 9 starts in the UK and between 1999 and August 2003 Karasi won two races before being placed in the Adelaide Cup and Brisbane Cup twice before winning the Geelong Cup and running fourth in the Melbourne Cup.  He then lost all form on the flat but showed promise in hurdle trials in the winter of 2003 and ultimately debuted with a third in a hurdle at Mornington.  A month later he went to Adelaide where he won a hurdle at Morphettville  and then another at Victoria Park a few weeks later.   Karasi was sparingly raced over the summer months in Victoria and returned to the jumps at Morphettville where he won as favourite from the greys Top Kala and Ballata.  He then won the Harry D Young/Yalumba  Hurdle at Oakbank before two runs on the flat followed by a second in the Moonee Valley Hurdle.   After a dead heat 4^th in the LV Lachal Hurdle Karasi then won the Australian Hurdle before running third in the VRC Grand National Hurdle and going back to Adelaide to win the Sa Grand National Hurdle in July 2004 from Top Kala and Apache King.  A third in the Hiskens Steeplechase followed before he was spelled for the jumps season of 2005. 

This year though he was invited to go to Japan for the Grand Jump  so through January and February he had runs on the flat to prepare and then went to Japan to run third in the Pegasus the main lead up race.  As the favourite Karasi was too good for the international field defeating a local runner by 1 ½ lengths and on return was spelled with the plan to defend his title the following year.   IN 2006 it was a similar preparation with a number of flat runs in Victoria to ensure he was race fit before running second in the Pegasus and again he defied the strong field in the invitation race just holding on to defeat TM Dragon of Japan with Merlos from NZ third.  In 2007 it was decided to return to Japan again and try to win three in a row.  AS the previous two years there were several runs of the flat before heading to Japan where he was again third in the Pegasus and then went onto the Grand Jump.  This race was included to be shown amongst the normal raceday program so racegoers in Australia were able to watch live as Karasi bungled one in the home straight but held off Reward Present from Japan and Personal Drum to win three in a row and become a jumping hero in Japan and Australia.  In 2004 it was again planned to head to Japan and Karasi again went through the flat races before heading to Japan but in the lead up to the jumps races he suffered a leg injury and was retired.  Returning to Australia over the years he has led fields out on big racedays always looking in fantastic condition.

Man of Class won the SA Grand National Hurdle in 2010 but was well known in Adelaide being sold as a yearling there and starting from his 2yo days and had continued to win and place in some of the biggest jumps races on the calendar.  Unplaced in two starts as a 2yo Man of Class won first up as a 3yo at Victoria Park in December 2006 before running two placings later in the preparation before a let up and aim towards the 3yo races but while a first up 4^th in the Nitschke Stakes showed promised he lose form in the SA Derby lead ups and was then spelled.  Man of Class was soon placed in a number of city starts before winning 3 in a row over 1800m at Morphettville and Cheltenham.  In the autumn his best run was a second in the Onkaparinga Cup behind Foolish Lad.  As a spring 5yo he failed to race into the placings in 5 starts and was soon in a new home in Queensland in 2009.  At his third run he was placed at the Sunshine Coast but again lost form and against moved home now finding himself in the stable of C Maher with a jumps career planned.  After several flat runs and hurdle trials to prepare he debuted over the jumps at Morphettville in June 2010 where he was third to Grizz and Sallum beaten a neck in what was one of the most exciting finishes seen in a jumps race in many years in SA.  A month later he defeated Sallum and Yesquire at Morphettville before leading for the best part of the final 800m to win the SA Grand National Hurdle from Cash Adv ance with Sallum third.  A week later he was third in the Houlahan Hurdle in Melbourne before coming back to Adelaide and looking the likely winner before knuckling on landing and while keeping his own feet losing his rider at the final fence of the Irish Hurdle at Morphettville. 

Several starts of the flat and several trials over hurdles and in steeplechase heats finally saw Man of Class return to racing in the Mosstrooper Hurdle at Bendigo where he was 6^th before a 4^th in the SA Grand National Steeple at Morphettville.   A 6^th in the Crisp Steeple followed before he won the VRC Grand National Steeplechase from Kerdem with Al Karam third.   A break until the 2012 jumping season followed but after two runs he missed the season before returning earlier in 2013 and again he had plenty of flat runs and jumps trials to prepare winning a steeple at Sandown before heading to Oakbank to run second in the Von Doussa and then winning the Great Eastern Steeplechase.  He was then second in the Grand Annual at Warrnambool to Banna Strand with his latest run being a 4^th at Bendigo behind the Champion jumper Bashboy.

Once again this Saturday a field of well known jumpers with the newcomers this year locals Dumosa and Shejtan taking on the experienced Victorians Zaman, Dubhara plus King Trition etc to add the next name to the long list of South Australian Grand National Hurdle winners.

Tempest Star - 1998 SA GN Hurdle

My Court Jewel