The history of the Kaikoura Cup - 100 not out

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

From Kintail in 1914 to Merlin last year - a new book detailing a Century of Kaikoura Cups has been produced in time for the 101st running of the great race at South Bay next Monday (November 2).

Written by harness racing enthusiast and current Kaikoura Trotting Club Historian Phil Gourdie, the 135-page book chronicles key moments of the club's history, the influential families who have helped shape it, and details all 100 Cups to have been raced at the famously scenic course over the past 111 years.

"2025 featured the 100th Cup and also the 1000th race at Kaikoura, all on the same day," says Phil.

The book has been a real labour of love.  

"I started out in February 2023, so it's been a tick over three years and around 500 hours per year so 1500 hours in total."

He turned the spare room in his house into a "storeroom with oodles of and oodles of reading."

One of the biggest challenges was tracking down old photos. In the end his book features images of all but three of the past 75 Cup winners.

Along the way he uncovered a number of fun facts.

"One of my favourites was George William Forbes, a long-standing MP for Hurunui. He was the sitting Prime Minister and also the Patron of the Kaikoura Trotting Club at the same time."

"I think Kaikoura must be the only club in the country that's ever had a sitting Prime Minister as their patron - so when you find that out, a gem like that, you think 'yeah that's really interesting'."

Known as "Honest George", Forbes was the 22nd Prime Minister from 1930-35 and was patron of the Kaikoura Club for 23 years, from 1914 to 1937.

Phil has a long-standing connection and affection with Kaikoura.

"I started going there in 1967 in the third form at St Bedes (College) and to the best of my knowledge think I've only missed one in 1979 when I went to the Melbourne Cup."

That's 57 Cups in total - so which is his favourite win?

"That would be Hands Down in 1981."

That year the star pacer overcame a 25 metre handicap to win by over a length in a new national and race record (3 minutes 2.2 seconds for 2400m).

In 2004 was another highlight. Phil was in the ownership of 15-race winner Castleton's Mission when he won the South Bay Trotters Cup at Kaikoura paying $18 for the win.

He had backed the horse in all sorts of bets.

"It was a great day at the races!"

He also shared in the ownership of Smiling Star, the winner of the last race on the card at Kaikoura in 2012.

Phil will be selling the books for $40 each in the Members Lounge during the club's two-day meeting on November 1-2 or can be contacted at [email protected]

"I'm absolutely rapt with the way it's turned out."