Great Sensation set records and won his third Wellington Cup at the grand old age of 10

Nicknamed Cracker, he was ridden by Bob Skelton, who rated him as the best stayer he had even had the pleasure to ride. Great Sensation, foaled 1952 was a champion New Zealand bred thoroughbred stayer sired by Cassock and out of the mare, Speedy. Great Sensation began his racing career in 1956 at Wingatui Racecourse, Dunedin, in the deep South. He was owned and trained by Mick Brown. The gelding won a number of important New Zealand races but is by far, best remembered for the remarkable feat of winning three consecutive Wellington Cups from 1961 through 1963. In winning his first Cup in 1961, Great Sensation posted an Australasian record time of 3:17.50 for two miles.

In 1958, Bob Skelton was to begin a partnership with a horse with whom his name will always be associated, a galloper who to this day is regarded as one of the finest stayers to ever grace the New Zealand turf. Skelton's first ride on the then 5-year-old Great Sensation was in the 1958 Riverton Cup. Despite a wet track, which was not to the gelding's liking, the combination prevailed by four lengths. Owing to commitments to other horses, the pair were not reunited until the 1960 Canterbury Gold Cup which the by now 7-year-old Great Sensation won in grand style.

He ran 3rd in the 1960 Wellington Cup and was looking to improve on his previous years attempt. The field included the likes of Caulfield Cup winner Ilumquh, Melbourne Cup winner Hi-Jinx and top 3-year-old Stipulate, winner of the Great Northern Derby and a fine thoroughbred in the making. Although an 8-year-old and supposedly past his best, Great Sensation had not started racing until a 4 year-old and had been relatively lightly raced in his career. The Mick Brown-trained Wingatui stayer duly prevailed, carrying his big weight of 9st 2lbs (58kg) to victory by a head from Quite Able in an Australasian record for the two miles of 3m 17.5sec. Skelton received universal praise for his "perfect ride", with the media saying he clearly out-rode his fellow jockeys. Skelton and Great Sensation then teamed up to win their second Wellington Cup. The 9-year-old this time carried an even heftier 9st 6lbs (60kg) and, despite being only fifth favourite, received a tremendous reception from the big Trentham crowd in triumph.

He then cruised home with Skelton on board again, in the weight-for-age Trentham stakes over 11 furlongs (2200m) to become New Zealand's greatest stakes-earner with £30,342 from 18 wins and 15 placings. Skelton finished that season by winning the jockeys' premiership with 91 wins, a post-war record and the seventh year in a row either he or his brother, Bill had taken the title. Bob and Great Sensation returned to Trentham in 1963 aiming to capture their third successive Wellington Cup. This time the 10-year-old champion was to carry 9st 7lbs (60.5kg) and again faced an older Stipulate, winner of the Auckland and New Zealand Cups, both, like the Wellington Cup, over the ultimate staying test of two miles (3200m). The old fellow produced the performance of his distinguished career to comfortably beat Stipulate and claim his third win in Trentham's biggest race. Only Cynisca in 1890/91 and 1892 had accomplished the feat. The legend Castletown would be the only other horse in 1991/92 and 1994 some 30 years later.

RACE RECORD - 69: 20-11-9

EARNINGS - $78,916

James Hazlett Gold Cup (1959)

Invercargill Gold Cup (1960)

Canterbury Gold Cup (1960)

Trentham Stakes (1960, 1962)

Dunedin Cup (1961, 1962)

Wellington Cup (1961, 1962, 1963)