Revell Douglas to be honoured in new series

Harness Racing NZ and Hygain are delighted to announce that the late Revell Douglas will have a new junior drivers series named after him.

The 46-year-old drowned at Karioitahi Beach in South-West Auckland in January after saving his children who had got into trouble swimming at the beach.

A popular and successful figure, his death sent shockwaves through the industry.

Now a new series will be held every January and February in his honour.
The Hygain Revell Douglas Memorial Junior Driver Series will see a total of eight races – four in the North Island and two each in Canterbury and Southland.

The series will be open to all Junior Driver and points will be allocated for the first five drivers home in each race.

The driver with the most points after the eight races will be awarded a scholarship to work and drive in Australia courtesy of the series sponsor Hygain.

Hygain is the key supporter of the series. Based mainly at Karaka, Revell Douglas worked for the Australian-based horse feed company for eight years overseeing a period of major growth.

“We would like to thank HRNZ for giving us the opportunity to initiate the Revell Douglas Memorial Junior Driver Series. Revell Douglas was not only a dedicated family man and hardworking loyal employee of Hygain Feeds but also without doubt an impassioned supporter of racing in NZ.

Not only had he worked as an administrator for several race clubs but he was also successfully training a few of his own horses as time allowed. He was a strong supporter of junior drivers and Revell would be delighted that we have chosen a Junior Drivers Series to memorialise him and his legacy going forward.

We look forward to a long-term relationship with HRNZ with this initiative where we can enjoy promoting the next generation of harness racing participants and also create a permanent fixture in the racing calendar where Revell’s family, friends and colleagues can remember him and his passion for the industry” said Robyn Mauger from Hygain.

Hygain will supply gear for all Junior Drivers in New Zealand to wear during the two months of the series, with the leading driver in each region wearing Revell’s colours with the Hygain logo.

The series will not replace the NZ Junior Driver Championship that is held every July.

The series has the support of Revell’s family, including his father and fellow trainer Don Douglas, and will be held annually for the next five years at least.

For any further information on the series please contact Courtney Buchanan at Harness Racing New Zealand

[email protected] or 027 636 4355