A - Z New Zealand Cup : V

5 November 2020

There are 5 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.

V = Van Dieman

Known as one of this country’s best stayers Van Dieman won the New Zealand Cup in 1951. It was the first of Cecil Devine’s six New Zealand Cup triumphs between 1951-1979. Van Dieman, owned, driven and trained by Devine, was also third the next year and unplaced in 1953. Devine leased Van Dieman, with right of purchase for $1000, as a two-year-old colt , the horse going on to win 18 races between 1949 and 1954.