News Briefs - July 22

Big money milestones for Dexter Dunn, a 17th ID Trotting Final appearance for Kerryn Manning and an opportunity to breed to Sweet Lou all feature in this week's News Briefs.  

DD tops $100m in career stakes earnings

Champion Kiwi driver Dexter Dunn has had quite the week. Not only have his stakes earnings just topped $5m for the year but he has surpassed $100m in career earnings. The five-time Driver of the Year in North America has now had 111 wins in 2026 with his $5m in stakes placing him third behind Jason Bartlett ($6.7m) and Yannick Gingras ($5.1m). The highest stakes earner ever in North American harness racing is David Miller, who became the first to $300m earlier this year.

Manning makes history - again

Kerryn Manning has made history again. The Australian was the first woman to drive a New Zealand Cup winner when Arden Rooney won in 2015. On Saturday night she had her 17th drive in an Inter Dominion Trotting Final, eclipsing the record by an Australian held by Gavin Lang (16). The closest Manning has got to winning the IDs was La Coocaracha, who was runner-up in Sydney in 2002. On Saturday she finished sixth with Lovemeto. Kiwis Tony Herlihy and Anthony Butt lead the stats overall. Herlihy has driven in 15 Pacing and 19 Trotting Finals  with four wins, while Butt has 19 Finals appearances in both gaits, with three trotting wins and one pacing win.

Darren DeFilippi Memorial completed  

A permanent memorial to Darren DeFilippi has been installed at Addington Raceway. It was completed in time for the running of the Darren DeFilippi Memorial last Friday which was taken out by Kairaki Spur and Nikita Burton. The memorial, organised and financed by the Trainers and Drivers Association, includes a list of the drivers who have won the race since its first running in 1996. At just 19, Darren, a talented junior driver, was killed in a car crash in 1995.

Fund-raiser for Horse Ambulance

The New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust annual winter appeal is fast approaching. Funds for the service will be raised throughout August on what is the Trust's 10th anniversary. One of the first major fund-raisers will be a charity race day at Addington on August 2. Just recently $1500 was raised for the Trust when a number of harness racing representatives had a roll up at the Waverley Bowling Club in Invercargill  - the quality of bowls was variable, but as they say, it was all for a good cause.

33 wins for Alta Revelry

Unraced in this country, Kiwi-bred Alta Revelry has just chalked up his 33rd career win in North America. The Sunshine Beach 8YO's latest success came in Minnesota. After being bought for $1000 off Gavelhouse, the gelding was sold to Australia where he had 15 wins at either Albion Park or Redcliffe in Queensland before heading to the United States in 2024.  His latest win was his second in a row as he won by over a length in 1:50.4.

5 in a row

Kiwi-bred Downbytheseaside gelding Makorori is in a rich vein of form in the USA. After four straight wins at Vernon Downs in New York, the four-year-old has won at Plainridge Park in Massachusetts in a lifetime best of 1:52.2. Bred by Tardina Stud, Makorori had two placings for trainer Nicky Chilcott before heading offshore last year.

Invercargill - Stallion service tender

Thanks to the generosity of Woodlands Stud, the Invercargill Harness Racing Club has a Sweet Lou Stallion Service for tender. The advertised service fee for Sweet Lou this season is $11,250 plus GST. The club welcomes tenders for the stallion service and they can be sent to Stallion Tender, Invercargill Harness Racing Club, P.O. Box 96 Invercargill or to lindsay.beer@xtra.co.nz Subject – Stallion Tender. Inquiries can be made to Lindsay Beer, Promotions Officer, Southern Harness Racing – at either 021 351 499 or lindsay.beer@xtra.co.nz. Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted. Tenders close at 5pm on Tuesday 4 August 2026.

Stallion seminars

The first of the NZ Standardbred Breeders Association Stallion Seminar Series is just days away. There are three dates  - Breckon Farms in Waikato this Saturday (July 25), Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill on Monday July 27 and then the Commodore Hotel in Christchurch on Wednesday, July 29. All three will be MCed by Trackside presenter and well-known racing identity Brittany Graham.  For more details contact brad@thebreeders.co.nz

Entries open for Yearling Sales

Entries for NZB Standardbred’s 2027 National Yearling Sale close at the end of this month. The sales will take place next summer at Karaka on Monday, February 15 and at Christchurch on Wednesday. February 17. To nominate  yearlings visit NZB Standardbred’s online portal at standardbred.portal.nzb.co.nz. For enquiries about the Portal, contact Grant Inglis (+64 9 298 0055 or email grant.inglis@nzb.co.nz).