Australian trainer Paul Preusker secured a notable victory at Te Aroha on Sunday when his horse Christmas won the Ben & Ryan Foote Racing Great New Zealand Steeplechase. The 10-year-old gelding, purchased from France with a jumping career in mind, has made a strong impression in steeplechase racing since debuting over fences earlier this year.

Christmas competed six times in Australia in jumping races this season, including a win in the Casterton Chase over 3800 meters and a fourth-place finish in last month’s Grand National Steeplechase at Ballarat over 4500 meters. Seeking longer distance challenges, Preusker targeted the New Zealand event as an ideal next step.

The horse’s regular rider, Darryl Horner Junior, agreed to ride Christmas in New Zealand, drawing on his previous experience racing in the country as a teenager. Horner adopted a measured approach during the marathon race, holding Christmas near the rear of the field through the first two laps. With 800 meters remaining, Christmas was positioned with only one runner ahead as Horner urged him forward.

The son of Palace Episode steadily advanced, closing to just outside the leaders Smug and Captains Run by the home straight. Christmas showcased strong stamina in the final stages, ultimately holding off Captains Run to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths, with Smug finishing another three-and-a-half lengths back in third place.

Horner described the win as “absolutely unreal,” reflecting on the challenges of pacing such a long race. He noted that Christmas required different riding tactics early on, sometimes being ridden into his jumps and other times more quietly, before finally finding a rhythm. Horner praised Preusker’s expertise and credited the team’s patience in developing Christmas over time.

“It wasn’t until we got to about the half-mile that I actually gave myself a solid chance and he’s such a grinder,” Horner said. He also expressed personal satisfaction in returning to New Zealand racing after 18 years, recalling that he had last ridden winners there as a teenager.

For Preusker, the victory marked a significant milestone in Christmas’s jumping career. He highlighted the patient preparation involved in readying the horse to compete over fences and praised the support from owners and the New Zealand racing community’s hospitality. Looking ahead, Preusker expressed optimism for further success in New Zealand.

“We bought him from France for a jumper, but it just took a while to get him to work with me and be tough enough for it,” Preusker said. “It has been a patient game and a good effort by the owners for sticking with him, and they have been well rewarded.” He added that the longer distance at Te Aroha suited Christmas well and anticipated returning for future campaigns.