A - Z New Zealand Cup - J = James Bryce

It’s 17 days to the New Zealand Cup.

From now to November 10 we will feature some of the great races, horses and personalities with a new letter for each day.

J = James Bryce

In 17 years (1916-33) James Bryce trained the New Zealand Cup winner six times, and on four occasions he was the winning driver as well.

After training horses in England and Scotland Bryce came out from Glasgow in 1913, and not surprisingly was known by most as “Scotty”.

His impact on harness racing was immediate and profound. His first victory in 1916 was with Cathedral Chimes on a day when the Cup was delayed because of a fire that destroyed the stand overlooking the birdcage at Addington. It was the first time the Cup was run from a standing start, with Cathedral Chimes winning by six lengths.

The champ also sired two of Bryce’s other Cup winners, Ahuriri and Kohara.

“Scotty” won with Cathedral Chimes (1916), Ahuriri (1925 and 26), and Red Shadow (1933) while son James Junior won with Great Hope in 1923,
and another son Andrew was triumphant with Kohara (1927).