A champion jumper of the 1960's, Smoke Ring won the Hurdling triple crown in 1964 and Great Northern double at Ellerslie in 1965

SMOKE RING, a distinguished New Zealand jumper from the 1960s, was expertly trained by Clyde Conway, the renowned Waiuku trainer. The strong staying lineage traces from his sire ASCOT LAD and the mare ARMATIER. ASCOT LAD, his sire, was a son of FAIR'S FAIR by Fair Trial, an imported progeny of the English Derby winner FAIRWAY, who was a full brother to PHAROS. Fair's Fair also achieved recognition as a champion broodmare sire, and notably produced the 1962 Caulfield Cup - Melbourne Cup winner, EVEN STEVENS.

Karioitahi Beach, situated southwest of the Auckland region, gained prominence in the 1960s due to Clyde Conway's effective utilization of its breakers and distinctive black sands, notably with the esteemed jumper Smoke Ring and a series of accomplished flat gallopers. Clyde was a perceptive trainer who guided numerous successful thoroughbreds, including ROYAL REWARD, who achieved seven consecutive victories, ROYAL REQUEST, KASTRUP, GAUNTLET, CREEMORE, PATRICE, RANGITOTO, COUNT FILOU and SPECIAL REQUEST, to mention a few. During the 1970s and 80s, Neville Atkins tapped into the local environment with excellent results, initially with jumpers and then with top-class stayers RING THE BELL, Auckland Cup winner SECURED DEPOSIT and KAISER.

The training environment proved ideal for a horse of Smoke Ring's nature, enabling him to develop a strong pace, despite his initial spirited disposition and tendency to buck. Clyde patiently built him up and he wasn't ridden until he was a three year old. Initially, it necessitated the expertise of a local rodeo rider due to his propensity for bucking. Following any period of rest spelling, ‘Rocky’ - as he was known in the stable - required a gradual reintroduction to being ridden alongside another horse, as his bucking behaviour otherwise presented a significant challenge.

They say the old jumpers were more like hunters, but SMOKE RING was more than that. He won the Great Northern Hurdles twice (1964 and 1965) and the Steeplechase once in 1965. Brian 'Baggy' Hillis won the hurdles on the first occasion while Raymond 'Buzz' Leggett won the double on him in 1965. He would come out on the Monday to win the Steeplechase, a combined distance of nearly 10,000m covered within three days - the equivalent to more than six miles!

In his time, the Great Northern was not the same without Baggy Hillis. In June 1971 Brian (Baggy) Hillis rode BROCKTON to win both the Great Northern Hurdles and the Great Northern Steeplechase and after running 3rd in the hurdles won again over the hill with Brockton in 1972. Hillis won the famous four mile race race with a broken arm he kept secret from authorities for two weeks leading into guiding Brockton around as the victor. Baggy achieved victory in the 1957 New Zealand Cup on GREAT SCOT as a flat rider and subsequently distinguished himself as an exceptional jumps jockey. Southland-born Hillis combined with trainer Colin Jillings many times and was fortunate enough to saddle up two great jumps champions. Baggy was probably better known by the public for his grit and determination as a jockey over the fences, but also as a great character of the sport.

Buzz's remarkable achievement of winning both the Great Northern Hurdles and Steeplechase on Smoke Ring during the 1965 Queen's Birthday weekend captivated his young nephews, Mike and Paul Moroney. Buzz previously distinguished himself as a leading apprentice during the late 1950s and early 1960s, subsequently becoming a highly sought-after flat rider until his increasing weight necessitated a transition to jumps riding. All told, Buzz rode 196 winners and forged a great association with former Great Northern Derby winner TATUA, with the pair making history in 1966 at Ellerslie winning the Queen Mother's Cup over TERRIFIC in front of the visiting monarch in what was the first ever live telecast of a sports event in New Zealand.

Previously, he achieved victory in the 1964 Royal Stakes aboard SUPERFINE, a horse trained by his brother-in-law, Charlie Casey Jnr. His exceptional riding skills frequently led to opportunities in prominent weight-for-age races, where he competed against esteemed jockeys of the era such as Garry Edge, Norm Holland, Grenville Hughes, and Bill and Bob Skelton.

In 1964, Smoke Ring secured his initial victory in the Great Northern Hurdles, carrying a weight of 9st 4lbs (58kg), subsequently triumphing in the Wellington Hurdle at Trentham and the Grand National Hurdle at Riccarton to complete a highly rare Triple Crown of hurdling. The following year as a six-year-old, upon his return to Ellerslie in front of a massive crowd, the esteemed horse demonstrated superior jumping prowess, effortlessly surpassing his competitors while bearing a weight of 11st 5lbs (72kg), representing a notable 14kg increase from his previous win a year prior. The gelding was widely celebrated for his incredible jumping ability and pace. His legacy is heavily documented in the annals of New Zealand racing history.

Regrettably, Smoke Ring sustained a fractured sesamoid bone, necessitating his retirement from racing. Nevertheless, his remarkable, stag-like jumping performances captivated audiences. He, along with his wizard trainer and exceptional jockeys, remain memorable figures in the sport.