News Briefs : November 26

A new Roll of Honour, a celebration of two major milestones, and a life membership all feature in this week's News Briefs.  

Roll Of Honour

As the 2025 season draws to a close, the New Zealand Sires’ Stakes has finalised its first ever Roll of Honour. It highlights the champions of the past 12 months, horses that will be future benchmarks of excellence.

Woodlands Stud Series 2YO Male Pacer: Freeze Frame
Harness 7000: Berrettini
Dunstan Horsefeeds Series : 2YO Filly Pacer: All Of Me
IRT Trot Series : 2YO Trotter - Kyvalley Ray, 3YO Trotter - Meant To Be
Magness Benrow Series 3YO Filly Pacer : Captains Mistress
Garrards Series 3YO Pacer: Marketplace
Sophomore Pacer: Greased Lightnin
Nevele R Series 3YO Filly Pacer: Celestial Sea
Uncut Gems Series NZB Aged Trotting Mare: Eurostyle
Rico Pacing Mare: Beach Day
Betavet Male Pacer: Sideshow Bruce
Aged Classics Future Wealth Aged Trotter: Nellie Doyle
NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales: The Lazarus Effect
Bob McArdle Mares Series Southern Pacing Mare: Esmeralda
Macca Lodge Trotting Classiques 2YO Trot Filly: Becky’s Girl
3YO Trot Filly: Ya Rite Darl

NZB Standardbred Harness Million Series    

2YO Male Pacer: Jumal
2YO Filly Pacer: Wat Next
2YO Trotter: Kyvalley Ray
3YO Male Pacer: Marketplace
3YO Filly Pacer: Stella Rouge
3YO Male Trotter: Meant To Be

Caduceus Club Series

2YO Filly Pacer: Shezsofast
3YO Filly Pacer: Beside Me

Finally, anyone with a current yearling is reminded that the Final sustaining payment for 2025 is due December 1.

Milestones celebrated 

The country's two leading drivers Blair Orange and Tim Williams have had major milestones celebrated by HRNZ. Chief Executive Brad Steele recently presented Orange with a photo of his 3000th win (he is now the fourth member of the 3000 club) and a silver plaque to Williams after he drove his 1000th New Zealand winner. Orange is on 152 wins in 2025 and is assured of an eighth consecutive drivers' premiership while Williams is on 117. At 156 wins for the year Steve and Amanda Telfer lead the trainers' premiership by 54 from Michael House.

Position available at RIB 

The Racing Integrity Board is on the hunt for a Stipendary Steward. 

To see more click here

Life membership for Colin Harvey 

A breeder, owner, trainer and driver, Colin Harvey been awarded Life Membership of the Forbury Park Trotting Cup. A loyal club supporter for many years he received his Life Member badge from Club President Lex Williams at the club's AGM at the Wingatui racecourse. Not currently licensed, Harvey had 10 wins as a driver and 26 as a trainer and has been on the Otago/Southland branch of the Trainers and Drivers Association. He raced some very good horses including 15-race winner Tax Credit, who won the Free For All at Addington in 1988, and Guadeloupe who won six between 2009 and 2013. The Forbury club's next meeting - Christmas on the grass -  is at Wingatui on Sunday, December 7.
 
Always B Miki Wins 

What a night it was for Maurice McKendry and the stock of Always B Miki at Alexandra Park last Friday. He opened the night with a win with Always B Misty (Always B Miki - Alchemist) for Team Telfer, paying $31 and then bookended the night with Kevin Kline (Always B Miki - Matai Mies) at $21 for Ray Green and Nathan Delany. It continues a great run by the sire including Kingman winning both the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and the Christian Cullen.

Harness 5000 reminder 

Next week is the final week of "qualifying" for the Harness 5000 series. To be eligible trotters and pacers whose sire stood for an advertised retail service fee of $5,000 or less in the breeding season of conception must compete in at least five race day starts between July 3 - December 9,2025. The Harness 5000, featuring 12 $60,000 Finals, will be held at Ashburton on December 21, 2025.

Trials date changes 

The trials set down for Mid Canterbury TOA on Tuesday December 9 will not be run. Those trials will go back a week to December 16, taking the place of the Ashburton TC trials on that date.

Club News : Methven 

The planning is well advanced for the Methven Christmas meeting on Sunday November 30. It will be a party day with barbeques, egg and spoon racing, the very popular babe in a barrow, and our special resident Father Christmas(over 30 years on the job) in what should be a fun day for all. On the racing front it will be a bit more serious with some of the best pacers in NZ contesting the Methven Four Square Foodstore $25,000 Pacers Green Mile and the best trotters in the Yabby Dam Farms Trotters Green Mile. So it's a case of be there or be square.

Club News : Addington

This year Addington Raceway has three Christmas at Addington packages to choose from - Starry Night, Christmas Cracker, and Under the Mistletoe.

To see more, including pricing, click here