1Equine Australasian Young Drivers Championship - Jason Kittel
The 2026 1Equine Australasian Young Drivers Championship will be held in New Zealand from the 4th November with its 9 heats run at Cambridge, Alexandra Park and Ashburton and the final heat to be run on 10th November at Go Media New Zealand Cup Day at Addington.
Twenty two year old Jason Kittel will represent South Australia in the ten heat championship having been called in as a late replacement for Corey Johnson.
“It came as a little bit of a shock. It’s something I’ve wanted to do as long as I’ve been driving. I’m pretty excited and keen to get over,” Kittel said.
Kittel who has driven 107 winners has been to New Zealand before, driving in the 2019 Interdominion Kidz Katz Championships.
Both Jason’s parents Symon (69 winners) and Melanie (31 winners) train, as does his grandfather Trevor (276 winners).
“It was an obvious and natural transition for me. I’m pretty lucky that I’ve got those connections now who back me, give me the steers (drives) and give me a foundation I can build off.”
Kittel works for Claire Goble who has trained 340 winners including the G3 ‘Seelite Window and Doors SA Trotters Cup with Gamma Dansk.
“She’s a really good trainer and has a lot of young stock. I’ve been there for two or three years.”
The highlight of his career to date is driving Clarenden Tribute to win the Kevin and Kay Seymour Four and Five Year Old Classic at Globe Derby Park in September. The five year old Bling It On gelding was bred by Goble and is owned and trained by Jason’s father Symon.
Kittel is kept busy with racing in South Australia five times a fortnight.
“We have Globe Derby on a Monday and a Saturday and every fortnight we have Port Pirie on a Tuesday.”
He says Globe Derby is his favourite track.
“It’s been so good to me and I know it so well.”
South Australian drivers have been successful three times in the Championship – Danielle Hill in 2009, Jamie Williams 1984 and Chris Lewis in 1977.
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink
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