Horsham horse trainer Paul Preusker received an early present ahead of the holidays on Sunday, scoring a win in the Great New Zealand Steeplechase with French-bred gelding Christmas.

Ridden by jockey Darryl Horner Jr, Christmas settled at the rear of the field for much of the 6200m race. With about 800m to run Horner made his move, closing in on race leaders Captains Run and Smug in the straight to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths.

Preusker said the extra distance suited Christmas after the 10-year-old ran fourth at the 4500m Grand National Steeplechase in Ballarat last month.

“He’s not a fast horse, but the more jumping the better. A little bit of extra ground today really helped him,” he said.

“I was pretty confident Daryl knows the horse. There were no instructions – it was just leave him to his job, and he pulled it off.”

Preusker said patience had paid off when it came to Christmas – both during Sunday’s race and for the gelding’s owners.

“We bought him from France for a jumper, but it took a while to get him to work with me and be tough enough for it,” he said.

“It’s been a patient game and a good effort by the owners for sticking with him, actually. It’s been rewarded.”

With the win, Christmas collected NZ$115,000 and Preusker said he was eager to make the trip across the Tasman Sea again next year.

“Words really can’t describe how I’m feeling at the moment. It’s a good achievement. It’s a good first season for the horse, and I look forward to next year,” he said.

“Everyone here has been great. The hospitality has been second to none.”

The entire September 23, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!