J.J Houlahan Championship
The J.J. Houlahan Jumps Championship was introduced in 2006 as a series encompassing 16 premier hurdle and steeplechase races.

The series is named in honour of Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Houlahan, who is considered the doyen of Australian jumps racing.

Houlahan trained the winners of eight Australian Hurdles and seven Grand National Hurdles and was highly respected by his fellow trainers, jockeys, the media and racing administrators. He retired from training in 2005 – at the age of 92 – and passed away on 4 April 2007.

The Championship celebrates the horse, trainer and jockey who accumulate the most points – which are issued on a 12-8-6-4-2 basis – across races carrying at least $100,000 in prizemoney.
2024 JJ Houlahan Series and Leaderboard

As of 10 July 2024

Leading Horse Total
Stern Idol 20
El Diez
Port Guilleume
Bell Ex One		 18
Mighty Oasis
Chains Of Honour		 16
Fabalot
Riding High
Tom Foolery
Leaderboard		 14
Blanford Lad
 12
Instigator
Count Zero
Elvison
Prismatic
Wil John		 10

 

Leading Trainer Total
Ciaron Maher 54
Symon Wilde 52
Andrew Bobbin 34
Mark Walker 32
Eric Musgrove 22
Aaron Purcell 20

 

Leading Jockey Total
Aaron Kuru 46
Will Gordon 40
William McCarthy 38
Arron Lynch
Tom Ryan		 34
Darryl Horner Jnr 22
Chris McCarthy 18

2023 JJ Houlahan Series and Leaderboard
Leading Horse Total
Stern Idol 30
Bell Ex One 28
Bee Tee Junior 26
Saunter Boy
San Remo
Tolemac		 24
Blanford Lad
Instigator		 22
Rockstar Ronnie
Circle The Sun		 18

 

Leading Trainer Total
Symon Wilde 100
C Maher & D Eustace 80
Andrew Bobbin 48
Aaron Purcell 34
Rachael Cunningham 30
Henry Dwyer 26

 

Leading Jockey Total
Will Gordon 74
Aaron Kuru 68
William McCarthy 64
Lee Horner 50
Tom Ryan 48
Steven Pateman 38

2022 JJ Houlahan Series and Leaderboard
Race Winning Horse Winning Jockey
 Winning Trainer
MJ Bourke Hurdle Saunter Boy Steven Pateman
 Maher & Eustace
J.E.H Spencer Memorial Steeplechase Riding High William McCarthy Henry Dwyer
Brierly Steeplechase Vanguard Will Gordon Symon Wilde
Galleywood Hurdle Saunter Boy Steven Pateman Maher & Eustace
Grand Annual Steeplechase Heberite William McCarthy Maher & Eustace
Two Rivers Steeplechase Elvison  Aaron Kuru Symon Wilde
Australian Hurdle Saunter Boy Steven Pateman Maher & Eustace
Australian Steeplechase Britannicus Arron Lynch Symon Wilde
Kevin Lafferty Hurdle Blandford Lad Aaron Mitchell Peter Gelagotis
Thackeray Steeplechase Flying Agent  Lee Horner Amy McDonald
Brendan Dreschler Hurdle Saunter Boy  Steve Pateman  Maher & Eustace
Mosstrooper Steeplechase Valac  Steve Pateman  Steve Pateman 
Crisp Steeplechase Flying Agent  Lee Horner  Amy McDonald 
Grand National Hurdle Saunter Boy  Steve Pateman  Maher & Eustace 
JJ Houlahan Hurdle Bell Ex One Steve Pateman Steve Pateman
Grand National Steeplechase St Arnicca William McCarthy Paul Preusker
Leading Horse Points
Saunter Boy
 50
St Arnicca 30
Tamarack
Flying Agent		 26
Britannicus 22
Valac 20
Police Camp
Elvison
Onset
Yulong Place		 18
  
Leading Jockey Points
Steven Pateman 84
William McCarthy 60 
Lee Horner 50
Aaron Kuru
Arron Lynch		 46
Darryl Horner (Jnr) 42

Leading Trainer Points
Maher & Eustace 82
Eric Musgrove 68
Symon Wilde 58
Steven Pateman 50
Amy McDonald 46
2021 JJ Houlahan Series and Leaderboard
Race Winning Horse Winning Jockey
 Winning Trainer
Von Doussa Steeplechase Yensir
 Steven Pateman
 Maher & Eustace
Classic Hurdle Britannicus
 Ronan Short
 Symon Wilde
Great Eastern Steeplechase Spying On You
 Tom Ryan
 Grant Young
Brierly Steeplechase Flying Agent Darryl Honer (Jnr)  Amy McDonald
Galleywood Hurdle The Statesman Will Gordon  Brett Scott
Grand Annual Steeplechase Gold Medals Clayton Douglas Symon Wilde
Australian Hurdle Saunter Boy Steven Pateman Maher & Eustace
Australian Steeplechase Riding High Clayton Douglas Henry Dwyer
Kevin Lafferty Hurdle  Saunter Boy  Steven Pateman  Maher & Eustace
Thackeray Steeplechase The Dominator  William McCarthy  Henry Dwyer
Brendan Dreschler Hurdle  Norway  Steven Pateman  Maher & Eustace
Mosstrooper Steeplechase Social Element  Tom Ryan  Waterhouse & Bott
Crisp Steeplechase Social Element  Tom Ryan  Waterhouse & Bott
Grand National Hurdle Wil John  William McCarthy Maher & Eustace
JJ Houlahan Hurdle Saunter Boy William McCarthy Maher & Eustace
Grand National Steeplechase Inayforhay Lee Horner Paul Preusker
Leading Horse Points
Saunter Boy
 40
Social Element 32
Instigator 
Riding High
Inayforhay		 28
Zed Em
Flying Agent
 24
The Statesman
The Dominator
Robbie's Star		 20
  
Leading Jockey Points
Steven Pateman 82
Tom Ryan
Will Gordon		 60
William McCarthy 52
Ronan Short 44
Lee Horner 42

Leading Trainer Points
Maher & Eustace 112
Henry Dwyer 48
Patrick Payne 38
Symon Wilde 34
Aaron Purcell
Waterhouse & Bott		 32
Paul Preusker 28
2020 JJ Houlahan Series and Leaderboard
Race Winning Horse Winning Jockey
 Winning Trainer
Von Doussa Steeplechase      
Classic Hurdle      
Great Eastern Steeplechase      
Brierly Steeplechase Getting Leggie Clayton Douglas Nick Smart
Galleywood Hurdle Gobstopper Ronan Short Eric Musgrove
Grand Annual Steeplechase Ablaze Shane Jackson Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Australian Hurdle Gobstopper Darryl Horner (Jnr) Eric Musgrove
Australian Steeplechase Bit of a Lad Shane Jackson Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Kevin Lafferty Hurdle Gobstopper Darryl Horner (Jnr) Eric Musgrove
Thackeray Steeplechase Bit of a Lad Shane Jackson Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Brendan Dreschler Hurdle Tallyho Twinkletoe Steven Pateman  Patrick Payne
Mosstrooper Steeplechase Slowpoke Rodriguez  Shane Jackson Patrick Payne
Crisp Steeplechase Slowpoke Rodriguez  Steven Pateman Patrick Payne
Grand National Hurdle Ablaze Shane Jackson Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
JJ Houlahan Hurdle Instigator  Lee Horner Aaron Purcell
Grand National Steeplechase Bee Tee Junior  Lee Horner Rachael Cunningham
Leading Horse Points
Gobstopper 48
Ablaze 32
Slowpoke Rodriguez, Bit of a Lad & Bee Tee Junior 28
Lucques 18
Runaway & Shamal 16
Ancient King & Tallyho Twinkletoe 14
  
Leading Jockey Points
Shane Jackson 98
Lee Horner 64
Darryl Honer (Jnr) 56
Steven Pateman 48
Will Gordon 34

Leading Trainer Points
Eric Musgrove 84
Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 68
Patrick Payne 64
Rachael Cunningham 28
Amy McDonald 22
Waterhouse & Bott and Tony Rosolini 16
2019 JJ Houlahan Series and Leaderboard
Horses Name VD Class GE Bri Gall GA Aust Hur Aust SC Laff Thack BD Moss Crisp GN Hur JJ Houl GN SC Total
Zed Em 12 12 12 36
Spying On You 8 8 6 2 8 32
Bit of a Lad 12 4 8 6 30
Wells 12 12 6 30
Gold Medals 8 8 8 24
Killarney Kid 8 12 4 24
Tallyho Twinkletoe 12 12 24
Euroman 8 6 6 20
Lucques 6 6 6 18
Gobstopper 12 4 16
Dormello Mo 6 4 2 2 14
Slowpoke Rodriguez 2 8 4 14
Casiraghi 12 12
Big Blue 12 12
Police Camp 12 12
Chequered Flag 12 12
Sir Lopez 12 12
Ablaze 12 12
Doc Holiday 6 4 10
Solar Coster 6 4 10
Comics 8 2 10
Lucky Tonight 8 2 10
Fulmineus 4 4 2 10
Murphy's Delight 8 8
Mr One Eleven 8 8
Goodwood Zodiac 4 4 8
Firefree 8 8
Northern Voyage 8 8
Zuhayr 6 6
Undergroudfighter 6 6
Mr Coyne 6 6
Caroun 6 6
Robbie's Star 6 6
Getting Leggie 4 4
Ivan Grozny 4 4
Newbury 4 4
Hornest Nest 4 4
Felix Bay 4 4
Ours 2 2
I'll'ava'alf 2 2
Self Sense 2 2
The Other Half 2 2
Darabad 2 2
Double Bluff 2 2
Youl Dash For Cash 2 2

Jockey Name VD Class GE Bri Gall GA Aust Hur Aust S/C Laff Thack Bren D Moss Crisp GN Hur JJ Houl GN SC Total
Steven Pateman 12 12 12 6 12 8 12 8 6 4 4 96
Richard Cully 2 4 2 12 2 4 12 12 12 6 68
Shane Jackson 4 4 8 2 6 6 6 8 44
Tom Ryan 8 8 4 6 2 4 8 2 42
Clayton Douglas 8 2 8 8 2 8 36
Aaron Kuru 8 2 12 12 34
John Allen 12 4 12 28
Thomas Sadler 6 6 8 4 2 26
Will Gordon 6 4 12 22
Paul Hamblin 6 6 2 4 18
Rob David 4 12 16
Martin Kelly 8 6 14
Lee Horner 8 6 14
Emily Farr 12 12
Darryl Honer (Jnr) 4 2 6 12
Stephen Phelan 8 8
Ronan Short 6 2 8
Ross O'Sullivan 4 2 6
Shaun Phelan 4 4

Trainer Name VD Class GE Bri Gall GA Aust Hur Aust S/C Laff Thack Bren D Moss Crisp GN Hur JJ Houl GN SC Total
Patrick Payne 14 12 14 8 12 12 8 16 16 112
Maher & Eustace 12 12 4 12 8 8 6 6 6 12 86
Grant Young 8 12 8 6 2 8 44
Eric Musgrove 8 14 6 6 6 40
Kathryn Durden 8 12 12 2 6 40
Symon Wilde 6 4 8 8 8 34
Simon Ryan 6 4 14 2 26
Waterhouse & Bott 4 4 8 16
Tony Rosolini 6 6 12
Andrew Campbell 12 12
Barry Brook 4 6 10
Henry Dwyer 6 4 10
Shelly Houston 8 2 10
Shayne Fisher 4 4 2 10
Cliff Murray 8 8
Nick Smart 4 2 6
Brett Charry 6 6
Peter Chow 6 6
Declan Maher 4 4
Patrick Ryan (Jnr) 2 2 4
James Mcnamara 4 4
Amy McDonald 4 4
David Brideoake 2 2
Robbie Laing 2 2
Aaron Purcell 2 2

2018 JJ Houlahan Series and Leaderboard
Race Winning Horse Winning Jockey
 Winning Trainer
Von Doussa Steeplechase Zed Em Steven Pateman Patrick Payne
Classic Hurdle Abebe Martin Kelly Eric Musgrove
Great Eastern Steeplechase Zed Em Steven Pateman Patrick Payne
Brierly Steeplechase Gold Medals Shane Jackson Symon Wilde
Galleywood Hurdle Two Hats Braidon Small Aaron Purcell
Grand Annual Steeplechase Gold Medals Clayton Douglas Symon Wilde
Australian Hurdle Self Sense Clayton Douglas David Brideoake
Australian Steeplechase Don't Be Shy Lee Horner John Salanitri
Kevin Lafferty Hurdle Self Sense
 Clayton Douglas David Brideoake
Thackeray Steeplechase Gold a Plenty  Tom Ryan Terry & Karina O’Sullivan 
Brendan Dreschler Hurdle Bit of a Lad John Allen Darren Weir
Mosstrooper Steeplechase Wells Richard Cully Kathryn Durden
Crisp Steeplechase Excellent Rhythm Jarrod Lynch Rachael Cunningham
Grand National Hurdle Cougar Express Shane Jackson Jarrod McLean
JJ Houlahan Hurdle Blood and Sand Tom Ryan Kim & Gayle Mayberry
Grand National Steeplechase Sea King Steven Pateman Patrick Payne
Leading Horse Points
Zed Em 40
Gold Medals 32
Two Hats 20
Abebe 16
Spying On You 14
Honey Steel's Gold 14
  
Leading Jockey Points
Steven Pateman 56
Clayton Douglas 30
Braidon Small 28
Lee Horner 28
shane Jackson 26

Leading Trainer Points
Patrick Payne 60
Symon Wilde 32
Eric Musgrove 28
Aaron Purcell 20
Darren Weir 17
D & B Hayes and T Dabernig
 17
2017 JJ Houlahan Series Results
Race Winning Horse
Winning Jockey
 Winning Trainer
Von Doussa Steeplechase Zed Em Richard Cully Patrick Payne
Somerled Classic Hurdle Angelology Steven Pateman Patrick Payne
Great Eastern Steeplechase Spying on You Tom Ryan Grant Young
Brierly Steeplechase Zed Em Steven Pateman Patrick Payne
Galleywood Hurdle Renew John Allen Darren Weir
Grand Annual Steeplechase Regina Coeli John Allen Ciaron Maher
Australian Hurdle Renew John Alln Darren Weir
Australian Steeplechase Gold Medals Shane Jackson Symon Wilde
Kevin Lafferty Hurdle Hornet's Nest Paul Hamblin James McNamara
Thackeray Steeplechase Zed Em Brad McLean Patrick Payne
Brendan Dreschler Hurdle Sea King Brad McLean Patrick Payne
Mosstrooper Steeplechase Wells Richard Cully Kathryn Durden
Crisp Steeplechase Wells Richard Cully Kathryn Durden
Grand National Hurdle Ancient King John Allen Darren Weir
JJ Houlahan Hurdle Two Hats Braidon Small Aaron Purcell
Australian Steeplechase Wells Richard Cully Kathryn Durden
Winning Horse 2017 Points
Zed Em 52
Wells 36
Hornet's Nest 28
Two Hats 28
Renew 24
I'll'ava'alf 22
  
Winning Jockey 2017 Points
John Allen 92
Braidon Small 60
Richard Cully 56
Brad McLean 50
Steven Pateman 42
Winning Trainer 2017 Points
Patrick Payne 98
Darren Weir 70
Kathryn Durden 36
Eric Musgrove 30
James McNamara 28
Aaron Purcell 28
2016 JJ Houlahan Series Results
Race Distance Prize Money Date Venue Winning Horse
Von Doussa Steeplechase 3250m $100,000 Saturday 26 March Oakbank NISHIAZABU
Somerled Classic Hurdle 3600m $100,000 Monday 28 March Oakbank NOW AND ZEN
Great Eastern Steeplechase 4950m $160,000 Monday 28 March Oakbank THUBIAAN
Brierly Steeplechase 3450m $125,000 Tuesday 3 May Warrnambool VALEDICTION
Galleywood Hurdle 3200m $125,000 Wednesday 4 May Warrnambool GINGERBOY
Grand Annual Steeplechase 5500m $300,000 Thursday 5 May Warrnambool NO SONG NO SUPPER
Australian Hurdle 3400m $125,000 Saturday 28 May Ladbrokes Park Sandown ARCH FIRE
Australian Steeplechase 3400m $125,000 Saturday 28 May Ladbrokes Park Sandown
 ANGELOLOGY
Kevin Lafferty Hurdle 3200m $100,000 Sunday 10 July Warrnambool GOLD MEDALS
Thackeray Steeplechase 3450m $100,000 Sunday 10 July Warrnambool SEA KING
Brendan Dreschler Hurdle 3600m $100,000 Sunday 24 July Bendigo ZANTECO
Mosstrooper
Steeplechase		 3600m $100,000 Sunday 24 July Bendigo SEA KING
Grand National Hurdle 3900m $200,000 Sunday 7 August Ladbrokes Park Sandown ZANTECO
Crisp Steeplechase 3900m $125,000 Sunday 7 August Ladbrokes Park Sandown I'LL'AVA'HALF
JJ Houlahan Hurdle 3200m $125,000 Sunday 21 August Sportsbet-Ballarat
 ZANTECO
Grand National Steeplechase 4500m $350,000 Sunday 21 August Sportsbet-Ballarat
 WELLS

Top 10 Horses for 2016 - FINAL

ZANTECO 38
GINGERBOY 33
THUBIAAN 30
NISHIAZABU 30
WELLS 28
ARCH FIRE 26
SEA KING 24
KING OF DUDES 22
GOLD MEDALS 22
EARTHBOUND 20
Top 10 Jockeys for 2016 - FINAL
Richard Cully 71
Brad McLean 66
John Allen 59
Steven Pateman 52
Jamie Mott 42
Martin Kelly 42
Shane Jackson 38
Paul Hamblin 34
Arron Lynch 32
Tom Ryan 24
Top 10 Trainers for 2016 - FINAL
Eric Musgrove 86
Darren Weir 83
Patrick Payne 81
Kevin & Heather Frew 30
Symon Wilde 28
Kathryn Durden 28
Robert Smerdon 26
Aaron Purcell 22
Gai Waterhouse 18
Pat Hyland 16
 
2015 JJ Houlahan Series Results
Race Distance Prize Money Date Venue Winning Horse
Von Doussa Steeplechase 3250m $100,000 Saturday 4 April Oakbank Thubiaan
Yalumba Classic Hurdle 3600m $100,000 Monday 6 April Oakbank Urban Explorer
Great Eastern Steeplechase 4950m $160,000 Monday 6 April Oakbank Lord Of The Song
Brierly Steeplechase 3450m $100,000 Tuesday 5 May Warrnambool Thubiaan
Galleywood Hurdle 3200m $100,000 Wednesday 6 May Warrnambool Stand To Gain
Grand Annual Steeplechase 5500m $250,000 Thursday 7 May Warrnambool Regina Coeli
Australian Hurdle 3400m $100,000 Sunday 31 May Sportsbet-Ballarat Arch Fire
Australian Steeplechase 3400m $100,000 Sunday 31 May Sportsbet-Ballarat
 Thuubian
Kevin Lafferty Hurdle 3600m $80,000 Sunday 14 June Warrnambool Arch Fire
Thackeray Steeplechase 3450m $80,000 Sunday 14 June Warrnambool Bashboy
Brendan Dreschler Hurdle 3200m $80,000 Sunday 28 June Bendigo Zuhayr
Mosstrooper Steeplechase 3600m $80,000 Sunday 28 June Bendigo Sea King
Grand National Hurdle 3900m $200,000 Sunday 12 July Warrnambool King Of Dudes
Crisp Steeplechase 3900m $100,000 Sunday 12 July Warrnambool Bashboy
JJ Houlahan Hurdle 3400m $100,000 Sunday 26 July Sportsbet-Ballarat
 Vatuvei
Grand National Steeplechase 4500m $250,000 Sunday 26 July Sportsbet-Ballarat
 Bashboy

2015 Leaderboard - Horses

  1. 48 points - Thubiaan
  2. 36 points - Bashboy
  3. 36 points - Zuhayr
  4. 32 points - King Triton
  5. 30 points - Urban Explorer
  6. 28 points - Lord Of The Song
  7. 26 points - Arch Fire
  8. 25 points - Stand To Gain
  9. 22 points - Fieldmaster
  10. 22 points - Regina Coeli
  11. 22 points - Sea King
  12. 16 points - Valediction
  13. 14 points - Jervois
  14. 13 points - King Of Dudes
  15. 12 points - Tuscan Fire
  16. 12 points - Vatuvei
  17. 12 points - Dumosa
  18. 10 points - Nishiazabu
  19. 10 points - Mannertone
  20. 8 points - Palemo
  21. 8 points - Wai Not
  22. 8 points - Back In Black
  23. 6 points - West South West
  24. 6 points - Take Out
  25. 6 points - Dhaafer
  26. 6 points - Beer Garden
  27. 6 points - Above Average
  28. 4 points - No Song No Supper
  29. 4 points - Seeking The Silver
  30. 4 points - Now And Zen
  31. 2 points - Riviera Star
  32. 2 points - Tobouggie Nights
  33. 2 points - Zataglio
  34. 2 points - Singersongwriter
  35. 2 points - Just Got Home

2015 Leaderboard - Trainers

  1. 90 points - Eric Musgrove
  2. 82 points - Patrick Payne
  3. 58 points - Ciaron Maher
  4. 36 points - Tony Rosolini
  5. 32 points - Pat Hyland
  6. 32 points - Robert Smerdon
  7. 25 points - Bob Challis
  8. 19 points - Aaron Purcell
  9. 18 points - Dan O'Sullivan
  10. 16 points - John Wheeler
  11. 16 points - Gai Waterhouse
  12. 14 points - Jarrod McLean
  13. 12 points - Barry Brook
  14. 12 points - Peter Moody
  15. 10 points - Anne McGrath
  16. 8 points - Kevin & Heather Frew
  17. 8 points - John Steffert
  18. 4 points - Darren Weir
  19. 2 points - Rudy Liefting 

 

2015 Leaderboard - Jockeys

  1. 106 points - Steven Pateman
  2. 58 points - Martin Kelly
  3. 50 points - Tom Ryan
  4. 43 points - Paul Hamblin
  5. 38 points - Brad McLean
  6. 34 points - John Allen
  7. 32 points - Richard Cully
  8. 28 points - Darryl Horner jnr
  9. 21 points - Paul Gallagher
  10. 16 points - Shane Jackson
  11. 16 points - Matthew Gillies
  12. 14 points - Ruby Walsh
  13. 10 points - Paddy Flood
  14. 8 points - Lee Horner
  15. 8 points - Michael Mitchell
  16. 6 points - Richard Eynon
  17. 4 points - Niki O'Shea
  18. 4 points - Gavin Bedggood
  19. 2 points - Arron Lynch