King anointed for second time

After another dominant season, King Of Swing has been named Australian Harness Racing Horse of the Year.

The superstar six-year-old becomes just the ninth to win the award two years in a row, with only four having won it three times consecutively – Westburn Grant (1989,91, and 92), Our Sir Vancelot (1997,98 and 99) Blacks A Fake (2007, 08, and 2010), and I’m Themightyquinn (2011,12 and 13).

Bred by Breckon Farms in the Waikato, King Of Swing won seven times for trainer Ray Green in this country before heading to Australia in March 2018.

Now trained by Team McCarthy in Sydney the King lined up 16 times last season, winning 11 of them. His most high profile win was his second successive Miracle Mile, his biggest disappointment a fifth in the Inter-Dominion final.

The winner of nearly $2.5m, he is now being aimed for next weekend’s Hunter Cup and then the Miracle Mile at Menangle on March 5 before being retired to stud.

For a season that featured three Group One wins Amazing Dream was named Aged Pacing Mare of the Year while the Phil Williamson-trained Majestic Man won Aged Trotter of the Year after having four wins in Australia last year, including three Group Ones.

The overall trotter of the year was young sensation Plymouth Chubb, who won 14 in a row before getting injured.