Drivers announced for AYDC

Three of this country's brightest talents have been confirmed for this November's 1Equine Australasian Young Drivers Championships (AYDC) on home soil.

The three hotshots - Carter Dalgety, Crystal Hackett and Wilson House - will compete against seven of Australia's best young drivers at Cambridge, Alexandra Park and Ashburton before the final day of competition on Go Media New Zealand Trotting Cup day at Addington Raceway on Tuesday, November 10.

It's expected 10 heats will be held between November 4-10.  

It will be Hackett's fourth AYDC after wearing the Silver Fern in 2022, 23 and 24 while Dalgety and House return after both being involved last year. Between them they have around 800 career wins.  

House qualified for the team after winning this year's NZ Junior Drivers Championship while Hackett and Dalgety were the leading North and South Island drivers at the end of the qualifying period. (September 28).

Dalgety is also the leading junior driver this year with 77 wins, 26 ahead of both Hackett and House (51 wins).

The series is open to drivers aged under 25 as of January 1, 2026. That rules out defending champion and Victorian gun James Herbertson from returning this year.

As they were the successful state last year they will have two representatives this year in Ryan Sanderson and Jordan Leedham.

The last time the AYDC was held in New Zealand Sarah O'Reilly won it in 2019 while the last New Zealander to claim the crown was Sam Thornley in 2024.

The full line-up is :

New Zealand
Carter Dalgety
Crystal Hackett
Wilson House

Tasmania
Jordy Chibnall

Western Australia
Abbey Vidovich

Queensland
Layne Dwyer

Victoria
Ryan Sanderson
Jordan Leedham

South Australia
Corey Johnson

New South Wales
Jett Turnbull

Venues and Dates
Cambridge - November 4
Alexandra Park - November 6
Ashburton - November 8
Addington - November  10 (Go Media New Zealand Trotting Cup day)

All enquiries should be directed to:  [email protected]