JJ 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
2024 Leaderboard - Horses
1. 20 points - Stern Idol
2. 18 points - El Diez, Port Guilleume, Bell Ex One
3. 16 points - Mighty Oasis, Chains Of Honour
4. 14 points - Fabalot, Riding High, Tom Foolery, Leaderboard
5. 12 points - Blanford Lad
6. 10 points - Instigator, Count Zero, Elvison, Prismatic, Wil John
2024 Leaderboard - Jockeys
1. 46 points - Aaron Kuru
2. 40 points - Will Gordon
3. 38 points - William McCarthy
4. 34 points - Aaron Lynch, Tom Ryan
5. 22 points - Darryl Horner Jnr
5. 18 points - Chris McCarthy
2024 Leaderboard - Trainers
1. 54 points - Ciaron Maher
2. 52 points - Symon Wilde
3. 34 points - Andrew Bobbin
4. 32 points - Mark Walker
5. 22 points - Eric Musgrove
5. 20 points - Aaron Purcell
2023 JJ Houlahan Series And Leaderboard
2023 Leaderboard - Horses
1. 30 points - Stern Idol
2. 28 points - Bell Ex One
3. 26 points - Bee Tee Junior
4. 24 points - Saunter Boy, San Remo, Tolemac
5. 22 points - Blanford Lad, Instigator
6. 18 points - Rockstar Ronnie, Circle The Sun
2023 Leaderboard - Jockeys
1. 74 points - Will Gordon
2. 68 points - Aaron Kuru
3. 64 points - William McCarthy
4. 50 points - Lee Horner
5. 48 points - Tom Ryan
5. 38 points - Steven Pateman
2023 Leaderboard - Trainers
1. 100 points - Symon Wilde
2. 80 points - Maher & Eustace
3. 48 points - Andrew Bobbin
4. 34 points - Aaron Purcell
5. 30 points - Rachael Cunningham
5. 26 points - Henry Dwyer
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 Herberite 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 Steven Pateman Maher & Eustace Mosstrooper Steeplechase Valac Steven Pateman Steven Pateman Crisp Steeplechase Flying Agent Lee Horner Amy McDonald Grand National Hurdle Saunter Boy Steven Pateman Maher & Eustace JJ Houlahan Hurdle Bell Ex One Steven Pateman Steven Pateman Grand National Steeplechase St Arnicca William McCarthy Paul Preusker 2022 Leaderboard - Horses
1. 50 points - Saunter Boy
2. 30 points - St Arnicca
3. 26 points - Tamarack, Flying Agent
4. 22 points - Britannicus
5. 20 points - Valac
6. 18 points - Police Camp, Elvison, Onset, Yulong Place
2022 Leaderboard - Jockeys
1. 84 points - Steven Pateman
2. 60 points - William McCarthy
3. 50 points - Lee Horner
4. 46 points - Aaron Kuru, Arron Lynch
5. 42 points - Darryl Horner (Jnr)
2022 Leaderboard - Trainers
1. 82 points - Maher & Eustace
2. 68 points - Eric Musgrove
3. 58 points - Symon Wilde
4. 50 points - Steven Pateman
5. 46 points - Amy McDonald
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 Clayton Douglas 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 Will John William McCarthy Maher & Eustace JJ Houlahan Hurdle Saunter Boy William McCarthy Maher & Eustace Grand National Steeplechase Inayforhay Lee Horner Paul Preusker 2021 Leaderboard - Horses
1. 40 points - Saunter Boy
2. 32 points - Social Element
3. 28 points - Instigator, Riding High, Inayforhay
4. 24 points - Zed Em, Flying Agent
5. 20 points - The Stateman, The Dominator, Robbie's Star
2021 Leaderboard - Jockeys
1. 82 points - Steven Pateman
2. 60 points - Tom Ryan, Will Gordon
3. 52 points - William McCarthy
4. 44 points - Ronan Short
5. 42 points - Lee Horner
2021 Leaderboard - Trainers
1. 112 points - Maher & Eustace
2. 48 points - Henry Dwyer
3. 38 points - Patrick Payne
4. 34 points - Symon Wilde
5. 32 points - Aaron Purcell, Waterhouse & Bott
6. 28 points - Paul Preusker
2020 JJ Houlahan Series And Leaderboard
Race Winning Horse Winning Jockey Winning Trainer Von Doussa SteeplechaseClassic HurdleGreat Eastern SteeplechaseBrierly Steeplechase Getting Leggie Clayton Douglas Nick Smart Galleywood Hurdle Gobstopper Ronan Short Eric Musgrove Grand Annual Steeplechase Ablaze Shane Jackson Maher & Eustace Australian Hurdle Gobstopper Darryl Horner (Jnr) Eric Musgrove Australian Steeplechase Bit of a Lad Shane Jackson Maher & Eustace Kevin Lafferty Hurdle Gobstopper Darryl Horner (Jnr) Eric Musgrove Thackeray Steeplechase Bit of a Lad Shane Jackson Maher & Eustace Brendan Dreschler Hurdle Tallyho Twinkletoe Steven Pateman Patrick Payne Mosstrooper Steeplechase Slowpoke Rodriquez Shane Jackson Patrick Payne Crisp Steeplechase Slowpoke Rodriquez Steven Pateman Patrick Payne Grand National Hurdle Ablaze Shane Jackson Maher & Eustace JJ Houlahan Hurdle Instigator Lee Horner Aaron Purcell Grand National Steeplechase Bee Tee Junior Lee Horner Rachael Cunningham 2020 Leaderboard - Horses
1. 48 points - Gobstopper
2. 32 points - Ablaze
3. 28 points - Slowpoke Rodriquez, Bit of a Lad & Bee Tee Junior
4. 18 points - Lucques
5. 16 points - Runaway & Shamal
6. 14 points - Acient Kind & Tallyho Twinkletoe
2020 Leaderboard - Jockeys
1. 98 points - Shane Jackson
2. 64 points - Lee Horner
3. 56 points - Darryl Honer (Jnr)
4. 48 points - Steven Pateman
5. 34 points - Will Gordon
2020 Leaderboard - Trainers
1. 84 points - Eric Musgrove
2. 68 points - Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
3. 64 points - Patrick Payne
4. 28 points - Rachael Cunningham
5. 22 points - Amy McDonald
6. 16 points - Waterhouse & Bott and Tony Rosolini
2019 JJ Houlahan Series And Leaderboard
2019 Leaderboard - Horses
1. 36 points - Zed Em
2. 32 points - Spying On You
3. 30 points - Bit Of A Lad
4. 30 points - Wells
5. 24 points - - Gold Medals
6. 24 points - Killarney Kid
7. 24 points - Tallyho Twinkletoe
8. 20 points - Euroman
9. 16 points -Lucques
10. 16 points -Gobstopper
11. 14 points -Dormello Mo
12. 14 points - Slowpoke Rodriquez
13. 12 points - Casiraghi
14. 12 points - Big Blue
15. 12 points - Police Camp
16. 12 points - Chequered Flag
17. 12 points - Sir Lopez
18. 12 points - Ablaze
19. 10 points -Doc Holiday
20. 10 points -Solar Coster
21. 10 points -Comics
22. 10 points -Lucky Tonight
23. 10 points - Fulmineus
24. 8 points -Murphy's Delight
25. 8 points -Mr One Eleven
26. 8 points -Goodwood Zodiac
27. 8 points -Firefree
28. 8 points - Northern Voyage
29. 6 points - Zuhayr
30. 6 points - Undergroundfighter
31. 6 points - Mr Coyne
32. 6 points - Caroun
33. 6 points - Robbie's Star
34. 4 points - Getting Leggie
35. 4 points - Ivan Grozny
36. 4 points - Newbury
37. 4 points - Hornet's Nest
38. 4 points - Felix bay
39. 2 points - Ours
40. 2 points - I'll'ava'alf
41. 2 points - Self Sense
42. 2 points - The Other Half
43. 2 points - Darabad
44. 2 points - Double Bluff
45. 2 points - Youl Dash For Cash
2019 Leaderboard - Jockeys
1. 96 points - Steven Pateman
2. 68 points - Richard Cully
3. 44 points - Shane Jackson
4. 42 points - Tom Ryan
5. 36 points - Clayton Douglas
6. 34 points - Aaron Kuru
7. 28 points - John Allen
8. 26 points - Thomas Sadler
9. 22 points - Will Gordon
10. 18 points - Paul Hamblin
11. 16 points - Rob David
12. 14 points - Martin Kelly
13. 14 points - Lee Horner
14. 12 points - Emily Farr
15. 12 points - Darryl Honer (Jnr)
16. 8 points - Stephan Phelan
17. 8 points - Ronan Short
18. 6 points - Ross O'Sullivan
19. 4 points - Shaun Phelan
2019 Leaderboard - Trainers
1. 112 points - Patrick Payne
2. 86 points - Maher & Eustace
3. 44 points - Grant Young
4. 40 points - Eric Musgrove
5. 40 points - Kathryn Durden
6. 34 points - Symon Wilde
7. 26 points - Simon Ryan
8. 16 points - Waterhouse & Bott
9. 12 points - Tony Rosolini
10. 12 points - Andrew Campbell
11. 10 points - Barry Brook
12. 10 points - Henry Dwyer
13. 10 points - Shelly Houston
14. 10 points - Shayne Fisher
15. 8 points - Cliff Murray
16. 6 points - Nick Smart
17. 6 points - Brett Charry
18. 6 points - Peter Chow
19. 4 points - Declan Maher
20. 4 points - Patrick Ryan (Jnr)
21. 4 points - James Mcnamara
22. 4 points - Amy McDonald
23. 2 points - David Brideoake
24. 2 points - Robbie Laing
25. 2 points - Aaron Purcell
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 2018 Leaderboard - Horses
1. 40 points - Zed Em
2. 32 points - Gold Medals
3. 20 points - Two Hats
4. 16 points - Abebe
5. 14 points - Spying On You
6. 14 points - Honey Steel's Gold
2018 Leaderboard - Jockeys
1. 56 points - Steven Pateman
2. 30 points - Clayton Douglas
3. 28 points - Braidon Small
4. 28 points - Lee Horner
5. 26 points - Shane Jackson
2018 Leaderboard - Trainers
1. 60 points - Patrick Payne
2. 32 points - Symon Wilde
3. 28 points - Eric Musgrove
4. 20 points - Aaron Purcell
5. 17 points - Darren Weir
6. 17 points - D & B Hayes and T Daberning
2017 JJ Houlahan Series And Leaderboard
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 Allen 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 2017 Leaderboard - Horses
1. 52 points - Zed Em
2. 36 points - Wells
3. 28 points - Hornet's Nest
4. 28 points - Two Hats
5. 24 points - Renew
6. 22 points - I'll'ava'alf
2017 Leaderboard - Jockeys
1. 92 points - John Allen
2. 60 points - Braidon Small
3. 56 points - Richard Cully
4. 50 points - Brad McLean
5. 42 points - Steven Pateman
2017 Leaderboard - Trainers
1. 98 points - Patrick Payne
2. 70 points - Darren Weir
3. 36 points - Kathryn Durden
4. 30 points - Eric Musgrove
5. 28 points - James McNamara
6. 28 points - Aaron Purcell
2016 JJ Houlahan Series And Leaderboard
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 2016 Leaderboard - Horses
1. 38 points - Zanteco
2. 33 points - Gingerboy
3. 30 points - Thubiaan
4. 30 points - Nishiazabu
5. 28 points - Wells
6. 26 points - Arch Fire
7. 24 points - Sea King
8. 22 points - King Of Dudes
9. 22 points - Gold Medals
10. 20 points - Earthbound
2016 Leaderboard - Jockeys
1. 71 points - Richard Cully
2. 66 points - Brad McLean
3. 59 points - John Allen
4. 52 points - Steven Pateman
5. 42 points - Jamie Mott
6. 42 points - Martin Kelly
7. 38 points - Shane Jackson
8. 34 points - Paul Hamblin
9. 32 points - Aaron Lynch
10. 24 points - Tom Ryan
2016 Leaderboard - Trainers
1. 86 points - Eric Musgrove
2. 83 points - Darren Weir
3. 81 points - Patrick Payne
4. 30 points - Kevin & Heather Frew
5. 28 points - Symon Wilde
6. 28 points - Kathryn Durden
7. 26 points - Robert Smerdon
8. 22 points - Aaron Purcell
9. 18 points - Gai Waterhouse
10. 18 points - Pat Hyland
2015 JJ Houlahan Series And Leaderboard
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 - 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
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