Just Believe crowned Harness Racing Horse of the Year

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  

All-conquering Australian trotter Just Believe is the 2024 Harness Racing New Zealand Horse of the Year.

The recently-retired globe-trotting star was crowned at the HRNZ annual awards, in front of around 300 people, at Addington Raceway on Saturday night.

During 2024 Just Believe confirmed his status as Australasia's best trotter with his wins in this country including the TAB Trot at Cambridge, and trotting's two most prestigious Group 1s, the Rowe Cup and the Dominion Trot.

Just Believe had earlier won Trotter of the Year while $1m The Race winner Merlin was voted four-year-old pacer of the year as well as overall Pacer of the Year. He had seven wins from 13 starts in 2024, earning close on $800,000.

Entain boss Dean Shannon, who owns Merlin (pictured above) as well as many other top horses under the Montana Park banner, was voted Owner of the Year while Merlin's breeders Taffy Limited (Todd and Fleur Anderson) were voted Breeder of the Year, with Merlin's dam Imaginary Bet the Pacing Broodmare of the Year. Another of her progeny was 2YO Pacing Filly of the Year Captains Mistress.

The Trotting Stallion of the Year was the night's closest call with a dead heat between Volstead and Majestic Son.  

Many of the award winners were clear cut including the sensational Marketplace as 2YO Pacing Colt or Gelding of the Year and Australian sensation Keayang Zahara winning 3YO Trotting Filly of the Year after she blitzed all before her during a short but very impressive New Zealand campaign.

She remains unbeaten in 14 lifetime starts on both sides of the Tasman.

After winning his first Group 1 with Rakero Rocket in the inaugural running of the Christian Cullen at Addington in December, Tom Bamford won the Newcomer to Training award. He had 20 wins from 99 starts as a trainer in 2024.

Samantha Ottley won "Best Moment" for the Westport win that gave her 100 wins for the season. She is the first female driver in this country to achieve the feat in a 12 month season.

Blair Orange's win was his seventh consecutive Drivers' Premiership, while Carter Dalgety's win in the junior driving ranks was his first.

Champion trainers Robert and Jenna Dunn secured their second premiership in a row with Robert claiming his fourth in the last five years.

To celebrate decades of service, Ginger Woodhouse, a true southern character, was recognised for his Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing.

For nearly 30 years he's been in charge of the Omakau race course in Central Otago ensuring it's in tip top order for race day. He's been a lifelong owner and breeder and was a trainer from 1963 until he had an untimely injury at age 83! His horses were well known, with their "Pat" prefix or suffix coming from his late wife Patricia. Supreme Pat had 34 wins including the Group 1 Victorian Derby while Turbo Pat won eight, as did Here Comes Pat. His face also became commonplace on our TV screens when he fronted a Mainland Cheese commercial for over 10 years.

For a full list of the HRNZ Award winners click here