Local firm sponsors 2026 Harness 5000

Methven-based stock feed manufacturers Advanced Feed has been confirmed as the sponsor of this year's Harness 5000.

The meeting will feature 12 $40,000 Listed finals at Ashburton on Sunday, December 6.  

According to Advanced Feed's General Manager, Neville Prendergast, the sponsorship is a win all round - for both the Ashburton Trotting Club and the company.

"When the club approached us it just made good sense to get involved," he says.

"We are big on community and Ashburton is right at our back door and it also gives us an opportunity to build our brand."

Using NZ-grown grains, and with a workforce of around a dozen staff, Advanced Feed produces a wide range of pellets and grain blends for dairy, calf, equine, ewe, lamb and other livestock.

Prendergast is also a keen racing fan and has long had horses with local trainer Simon Adlam. His most recent success has been with four-race winner To Ri Ruby.

When sponsored by Phoebe Stud, the Harness 5000 had a very successful debut last year. Again, it is open to horses whose sire's fee was $5000 or less at the time of breeding and is open to 3YO, 4YO and 5YO and older Pacers and Trotters.

Three-year-olds must have started in at least eight races during the qualifying period (January 1 - November 22, 2026) while the threshold for 4YO and 5YO+ is 12 starts.

All races will be over 1700 metres and limited to 14 starters.

A total of 230 horses have so far met the eligibility criteria.

ELIGIBILITY :  

3YO Pacing Fillies - 7
4YO Pacing Mares - 9
5YO+ Pacing Mares - 29  
3YO Trotting Fillies - 3
4YO Trotting Mares - 10
5YO+ Trotting Mares - 41
3YO Pacing Colts and Geldings - 4
4YO Pacing Entires and Geldings - 6
5YO+ Pacing Entires and Geldings - 63
3YO Trotting Colts and Geldings - 1
4YO Trotting Entires and Geldings - 8
5YO+ Trotting Entires and Geldings - 49

The Bruce Negus-trained Buffy Northstains (5Yo and older Trotting Mares) has had the most starts of all the eligible horses  with 40. 

To see more about Harness 5000 click here