Finalists revealed for 2025 Victorian Harness Racing Awards at Melton 

The spotlight will fall on Victoria’s best pacers, trotters and industry participants this weekend when the 2025 Victorian Harness Racing Awards take place at Melton Entertainment Park on Sunday, March 22, 2026. 

A total of 48 stars of the track have been selected as finalists across the various Horse of the Year categories, with connections eagerly awaiting the announcement of the winners on what promises to be a memorable night for the Victorian harness racing industry. 

The awards evening will recognise outstanding performances across the season and will culminate with the announcement of the Victorian Horse of the Year, alongside other prestigious honours including the Gordon Rothacker Medal, Pearl Kelly Award, Victorian Breeder of the Year, and the Caduceus Club Living Legend Award. 

Horse of the Year Category Finalists 

Congratulations to the connections of the outstanding nominees in each category:
 

2YO Pacing Fillies 
Arrhythmia, Degarmea Teale, Ride The Highs
 

2YO Pacing Colts and Geldings
Dynamitedan, Loucasso, Soho Park Avenue
 

2YO Trotting Fillies 
Adelaide Red, Harperseven, Jilliby Aura
 

2YO Trotting Colts and Geldings 
Howdy Mate, Keayang Bazlenka, Notanotha Naughty
 

3YO Pacing Fillies 
Beach Diamond, Ivseenheavenslight, Soho Americano
 

3YO Pacing Colts and Geldings 
Always Hot, Captain Perfect, Fox Dan
 

3YO Trotting Fillies 
Gatesys Gem, Keayang Kurki, Tracy The Jet
 

3YO Trotting Colts and Geldings 
Commodus, Mecarno, Sam Nien
 

4YO Pacing Mares 
Kiss, Look Like Diamonds, The Answer
 

4YO Pacing Entires and Geldings 
Bay Of Biscay, Miki To Success, War Dan Buddy
 

4YO Trotting Mares 
Keayang Zahara, Jilliby Ballerini, Pinnie
 

4YO Trotting Entires and Geldings 
Hilltop Hugh, Imperial Command, Remus Phoenix
 

Aged Pacing Mares 
Rakero Rebel, Sahara Breeze, Surfingmakescents
 

Aged Pacing Entires and Geldings 
Bulletproof Boy, Catch A Wave, Max Delight
 

Aged Trotting Mares 
Aldebaran Acrux, Im Ready Jet, Susan Is Her Name
 

Aged Trotting Entires and Geldings 
Arcee Phoenix, Keayang Chucky, Watts Up Partytime
 

Victorian Breeder of the Year 

The 2025 Victorian Breeder of the Year (Harness Racing) award will also be announced during the evening. The award recognises breeders based on the performance of Vicbred-eligible horses they produced throughout the season. 

Recent winners of the prestigious breeding honour include:
 

Season	Winner	Key Farm/Entity
2024	Pat Driscoll	Yabby Dam Farms
2023	Paul Kahlefeldt	Redbank Lodge
2022	Pat Driscoll	Yabby Dam Farms
2021	Anne & Bill Anderson	Lauriston Bloodstock
2020	Pat Driscoll	Yabby Dam Farms
2019	The Galloway Family	Alabar Bloodstock
2018	The Judd Family	Benstud Standardbreds
2016	Bruce Edward	Durham Park

 

With the Victorian breeding industry continuing to produce elite performers both locally and internationally, the announcement of this year’s winner will again highlight the strength of the standardbred breeding sector. 

All eyes will now turn to Melton Entertainment Park this Sunday night, when the industry gathers to celebrate the achievements of the past season and crown the 2025 Victorian Harness Racing Horse of the Year. 

From Harnesslink Media