The 2025 premiership winners back in action at Rangiora today

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  

There'll be no rest for the best of 2025.

The New Year's day race meeting at Rangiora today will see all the major winners from last season back in action.

The 2025 season finished at Alexandra Park last night with repeat Trillion Trust Auckland Cup winner Republican Party and Peter Breckon Memorial National Trot winner Hillbilly Blues taking out the night's two Group 1s.

With two wins on the night, with Andarta and Upstage, Steve and Amanda Telfer extended their record run to 171 wins for the season, eclipsing the previous 12 month record of 168 held by Roy and Barry Purdon.

Michael House produced a personal best season with 111 victories to claim second in the trainers premiership, with Robert and Jenna Dunn third on 109.

House's success also resulted in a best ever season for son Wilson House.  

He took out the junior drivers premiership for the first time after a great tussle with defending champion Carter Dalgety.

It was a see-sawing affair over the last few weeks with House eventually winning by three, 94 wins to 91.

That was good enough for House to finish third equal in the premiership with Sam Ottley.

"I was rapt to win it and rapt for Dad, it's his first time to get 100 winners too," House said at Alexandra Park last night. 

Second was Stonewall Stud and Team Telfer's top driver Tim Williams.

His double at Alexandra Park last night took him to 129 for the season.

At the top of the standings, for an eighth consecutive year, was the country's top driver Blair Orange. He had 168 wins in 2025.

Today at Rangiora House has eight drives lined up while Orange has seven and the Telfers ease their way into 2026 with just two starters, Stumpy Blackler (R3) and Bettor Off (R6).