As a teenager, Cooper Griffiths was a highly competitive tennis player who worked his way up the rankings – now the young New South Welshman is showing a deft touch in a very different sporting arena.
Cooper Griffiths playing for New South Wales during his high school years (Sports in Focus photograph)
Now devoted to harness racing, Hunter Valley-based Griffiths is enjoying a breakout season in the sulky, with 31 winners so far, and has been in a particularly rich vein of form in recent weeks.
On August 21 he landed a winning double at Newcastle, including his first victory for partner Jemma Coney, before backing up the following night to score aboard Bluto for leading trainer Jason Grimson at Club Menangle – his maiden win at harness racing headquarters.
It is a long way from early 2020, when the COVID pandemic put Griffiths’ promising tennis career on the backburner and unexpectedly opened the door to harness racing.
“When COVID came in early 2020, I had to stop travelling, so that put a hold on my tennis,” Griffiths said.
“I got a job at a hotel, and the manager there was (NSW trainer) Jake Mitchell, who was right into harness racing,” he said.
“He talked me into going out and jogging some of his horses. I did this for a long time and then one day he said it was time I stopped being a wuss and drive the horses in fastwork!
“I absolutely caught the bug from that day. I just love it and it’s funny to look back because I’d never ever touched a horse until I was 17 or 18.”
Griffiths with one of his favorites, in Grey Cadillac (DJM Racing Pix photo)
Until then, tennis had been Griffiths’ sporting focus.
“I grew up around tennis because dad (Bill) was a division one USA college tennis player and he went on to spend 40 years coaching,” Griffiths said.
“I started playing on a full scholarship and from the age of 12, I always hovered in the top five for age in New South Wales.”
As a 15-year-old, he won three matches to qualify for an ITF World Junior event in Sydney.
Tennis took Griffiths to every state in Australia and overseas, including several trips to the United States, Japan and New Zealand.
“Japan was a really cool experience. It’s probably my favorite country, which is a surprise as it was never really on my list to visit.”
Griffiths reached number six in NSW for his age group as well as the top 20 nationally.
“I’m busy and enjoying the horses at the moment, but I’ll always miss tennis. It was a big part of my life. If any of the big matches are on TV, I’ll be tuned in and lately I’ve been following the US Open,” Griffiths said.
“Dad never come much to watch me at tennis, it was always mum (Debbie) taking me everywhere,” he said.
“Now Dad is big into my harness racing, while mum is taking a back seat – I think she reckons she earnt it!
“My pop Joe was awesome and took me to drive at the trials all the time when I was getting my licence.”
The recent win by Bluto, trained by Jason Grimson, gave Griffiths one of his biggest thrills in the sport – his first Saturday night winner at Menangle (Club Menangle photograph)
Griffiths had his first race drive at Newcastle on September 15, 2023, and waited almost four months for his maiden winner.
“I probably had about 50 drives before getting that win – I wasn’t too flash at all,” he laughed.
“But I remember the horse I won on was called Outlook and it was at Newcastle.”
He has since built his career tally to 59 wins and 143 placings and is part of the team at the Darren and Brad Elder stable near Maitland.
“They have a big set-up and do a good job. We’re doing nearly 30 horses at the moment,” Griffiths said.
He also credits regular trips to Tamworth with helping build his confidence and race-driving skills.
“I used to go up to Tamworth every week and drive. There was a lot of people who really gave me a go up at Tamworth, but I’d drive up if I only had one drive,” he said.
“Back then, Jake was training Grey Cadillac for mum and a friend and then they later sold him to Troy Williams.
“Now I’m back driving the horse, and he’s helped me a lot. I’ve learnt to put him in a race, and it’s brought me out of my shell. I’ve won a few on him.”
Griffiths’ breakthrough victory at Menangle now ranks among his biggest thrills.
“It was special getting the win on Tafl Move for Jemma at Newcastle, but the next night at Menangle was my first metro win. It was the first time I’d driven for Jason too,” he said.
“I couldn’t believe it that I was driving at Menangle on a Saturday night, let alone get a winner.
“Grimmo said with the right run, the horse would go well. I was just rapt for the opportunity.”
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