Davinia and "Mackles" winning season in 2025-26

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

When it comes to talking about her "spicy wee" standardbred Davinia McDonald doesn't need much prompting.

"Everyone loves him," she says, "he's a hard case and a great ambassador for standardbreds - he's always up for a pat and he's friendly."

The Balclutha-based office manager has had Macklemore for six years.

"He's part of the furniture here," she laughs.

Recently the combo took out the In-Hand section of a competition run by Harness Racing New Zealand and the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Association - the irony being that he prefers Ridden competitions.

"In-hand is not his favourite," she says, "he can be highly-strung and he can be a handful to keep his mind on the job."

So to win was "a nice surprise".

The competition was held in response to the 2026 Horse of the Year (HOY) being cancelled, with organisers wanting to recognise and reward those who have excelled in the Show Ring over the past season.

Entrants had to send in their top five results from RAS (Royal Agricultural Society)/A&P Shows from August 2025 - April 2026.

Points were then allocated deciding on performance, with bonus points for those finishing Champion or Reserve Champion.

Macklemore and Davinia were first, followed by Outstanding Lad (raced as Washington Whisper and handler Angie Stringer) and Does It On His Ear (Chanelle Dickie).

The highlight of Davinia's season was at the Otago/Taieri A&P Show at Mosgiel.

"We got Champion Led Standardbred, Champion Paced and Mannered Standardbred and Champion Open Ridden Standardbred," she says.

"All at the same show on the same day - I'd struggle to do that again."

"I was stoked"

Originally known as King Chevron, the Life Sign gelding qualified in 2015 but never made it to the races.

Along the way he was renamed Macklemore (as in the American singer) and quickly made his mark in the Show Ring.

He'd twice been runner-up (Reserve Champion) at Horse of the Year before McDonald spotted him on Trade Me.

"I was in my late 30s and I hadn't ridden for years," says Davinia.

The deal was done.

"He's fairly sensitive so it's taken a while for the partnership to work with him."

Mackles, as he's known, is now 13.

The plan is to continue competing at shows, mainly in Otago and Southland, though McDonald would like to branch out into the Park Hack ring as well.

"There he's up against all the other breeds - it's a good challenge."

In the meantime she couldn't be prouder of what they've achieved.

"He's flying the flag for standardbreds in a very positive way."

The winner of the HRNZ/NZSBA Ridden competition was Taylah Dolan and Michelangelo (above) - to see their story click here