Next Gen winner excited at Tour Party's progress

29 January 2026 , Ownership

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk

The reality of actually owning a horse is beginning to dawn on Josh Mantell.

The fabulously-mulleted Christchurch-based electrician has a 3.5% share in 2YO pacer Tour Party after winning Harness Racing New Zealand's 2025 Next Gen “Win a Share in a Race Horse” competition.

This week he headed out to see Tour Party in action at the trials for the first time and was impressed with what he saw.

"I made a very last minute decision to get to the trial and it was awesome."

The full brother to multiple Group 1 winner Republican Party, Tour Party was bought at the 2024 National Yearling Sales for $150,000 by Cran and Chrissie Dalgety, who now train the colt.

Since winning the competition Mantell's seen Tour Party in the flesh a few times and there have also been regular updates from the Dalgetys on his progress.

"I'd seen photos and videos but to actually see him run around, and running very quickly was very cool."

In his midweek trial at Rangiora Tour Party was driven by Andrew Drake. He got a cosy trail and then got the gun run up the passing lane to finish second by a head to the Bob Butt-trained and driven Fanfare.

The winner ran the 2000 metre mobile in 2:32.5, with a last 800 metres in 57.7.

Tour Party was the first of four Dalgety-trained stablemates home in the seven horse field.

Next week Tour Party is likely to head back to the trials at Addington and Mantell will be there too, along with some of his mates this time.

"I've shared all the updates with them and they like me are fully invested."

HRNZ will be giving away another Next Gen “Win a Share in a Race Horse” competition at the upcoming NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales that will be held at Karaka on February 16 and Christchurch on February 18.

The prize includes a $5000 credit for a share in a Next Gen eligible horse bought at the sales and also includes training fees.

Details on how to enter will be announced shortly on HRNZ's website and social media channels.