Story: Sport and society

Lorraine and Brian Anderton proudly hold the cup won by their horse Inferno at Riccarton in 2011. The Canterbury Gold Cup is the oldest continuous race in New Zealand. It was first held in 1855 when the prize was £50. By 1866 the prize had increased to 1,000 sovereigns (equivalent to $100,000 in 2012). The increase in value was a reflection of the considerable involvement of rich sheepfarmers and Christchurch businesspeople in Canterbury racing.