Christian Cullen (horse)
Encyclopedia
Christian Cullen is a Standardbred stallion and was one of New Zealand
's best pacers
. Named after the New Zealand international rugby union player
, Christian Cullen
, he won 22 of his 31 starts, and $NZ1,249,150 in prize money. He is notable in that he won both the Auckland Trotting Cup
and New Zealand Trotting Cup
races, the richest harness races in New Zealand.
He is best known for his season as a four-year-old in 1998-99, when he won all of his 12 starts, including the New Zealand Trotting Cup
, Auckland Cup and the Miracle Mile
. This led to him being crowned Horse of the Year in New Zealand. He was retired from racing in February 2000, and has become the leading pacing sire in Australasia, siring the New Zealand Cup winner Mainland Banner among others.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's best pacers
Standardbred horse
Standardbreds are a breed of horse best known for their ability to race in harness at a trot or pace instead of under saddle at a gallop. Developed in North America, the breed is now recognized worldwide for its harness racing ability...
. Named after the New Zealand international rugby union player
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
, Christian Cullen
Christian Cullen
Christian Mathias Cullen is a former New Zealand rugby union footballer. He played most of his rugby at fullback for New Zealand , for the Hurricanes in the Super 12, and for Manawatu, Wellington and later Munster at first-class level. He was nicknamed the Paekakariki Express...
, he won 22 of his 31 starts, and $NZ1,249,150 in prize money. He is notable in that he won both the Auckland Trotting Cup
Auckland Trotting Cup
The Auckland Trotting Cup or Auckland Cup is a race held at Alexandra Park in March in Auckland, New Zealand for Standardbred horses. It is one of two major harness races, along with the New Zealand Cup, held in New Zealand each year. It is notable as it is a Group 1 championship race over...
and New Zealand Trotting Cup
New Zealand Trotting Cup
The New Zealand Trotting Cup or New Zealand Cup is a Group One harness race held annually by the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club at Addington Raceway in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is considered the country's most prestigious harness racing event. the prize was NZ$750,000, the largest prize for a...
races, the richest harness races in New Zealand.
He is best known for his season as a four-year-old in 1998-99, when he won all of his 12 starts, including the New Zealand Trotting Cup
New Zealand Trotting Cup
The New Zealand Trotting Cup or New Zealand Cup is a Group One harness race held annually by the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club at Addington Raceway in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is considered the country's most prestigious harness racing event. the prize was NZ$750,000, the largest prize for a...
, Auckland Cup and the Miracle Mile
Miracle Mile (race)
The Miracle Mile is an Australian harness racing event that was held at Harold Park Racetrack each November up until 2008 when the race was switched to Menangle Park. Prizemoney has long been among that of Australia’s leading harness races and has often included bonuses for speed...
. This led to him being crowned Horse of the Year in New Zealand. He was retired from racing in February 2000, and has become the leading pacing sire in Australasia, siring the New Zealand Cup winner Mainland Banner among others.
Major race wins
- 1997 New Zealand Sires Stakes 3yo FinalNew Zealand Sires Stakes 3yo FinalThe New Zealand Sires Stakes 3yo Final is an event for 3 year old pacing horses in New Zealand. The race is one of the major harness races in New Zealand and is contested by the top three year old horses, who have to qualify in heats run throughout New Zealand in the preceding six weeks...
- 1998 Auckland Trotting CupAuckland Trotting CupThe Auckland Trotting Cup or Auckland Cup is a race held at Alexandra Park in March in Auckland, New Zealand for Standardbred horses. It is one of two major harness races, along with the New Zealand Cup, held in New Zealand each year. It is notable as it is a Group 1 championship race over...
- 1998 Miracle MileMiracle Mile (race)The Miracle Mile is an Australian harness racing event that was held at Harold Park Racetrack each November up until 2008 when the race was switched to Menangle Park. Prizemoney has long been among that of Australia’s leading harness races and has often included bonuses for speed...
- 1998 New Zealand Trotting CupNew Zealand Trotting CupThe New Zealand Trotting Cup or New Zealand Cup is a Group One harness race held annually by the NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club at Addington Raceway in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is considered the country's most prestigious harness racing event. the prize was NZ$750,000, the largest prize for a...