Inter Dominion trivia - Only 5 chestnuts, 5 mares and 5 stallions have done this

On the 18th July the Grand Final of the 2026 edition of the Inter Dominion Series will be conducted at Albion Park in Brisbane.

The Inter Dominions commenced in 1936 at Gloucester Park in Perth and remains today as the pinnacle of Harness Racing achievement in the Southern Hemisphere.

That first Inter Dominion Series conducted 90 years ago was won by the Tasmanian bred stallion Logan Derby , who defeated another Tasmanian horse , the mare Evicus, to etch his name into the Harness Racing history books.

The Inter Dominion Series is a test of courage , speed and soundness so the colour of the horse is irrelevant when it comes to collecting the winners Trophy.

Only Five Chestnut Horses have Won a Pacers Final.

The first chestnut horse to taste Grand Final success was the 9 year old gelding Grand Mogul in 1940 at Gloucester Park .

Then at the Melbourne Showgrounds in 1959 the South Aussie 4 year old stallion Young Pedro was a victor for trainer and reinsman Leo Hunt.

Another 23 years passed by before the SA Bred gelding Rhetts Law led from pillar to post at Gloucester Park in 1982. Rhetts Law was owned by prominent WA racing identity Russell Roberts , who also owned the champion pacer Pure Steel – the best horse in the land to Never win an Inter Dominion Final.

This was the era of chestnut domination as in the following 2 years the champion from Terang in south west Victoria , the mighty Gammalite , reigned supreme for owner and trainer Leo O’Connor. His first win came in 1983 at Alexandra Park in Auckland when defeating Popular Alm and then he trucked to Globe Derby Park in Adelaide the following year to again defeat a Bob Knight trained horse.

It then took another 38 years before I Cast No Shadow , the NZ bred horse was a surprise winner at Melton in 2022.

Five Pacing Females have been too good for the Boys.

The Inter Dominion Series which is run with 3 Heats and a Final in the space of 14 days is a real test of courage , stamina and horsemanship, so it does take a special mare to dominate the boys.

The Tasmanian mare Bandbox was the first to achieve success in 1947 at Gloucester Park in Perth . She later gained further recognition as the granddam of the champion WA pacer Pure Steel.

The Kiwi champion Robin Dundee was the second mare to write her name into the record books in 1965 , although she had to share the glory with another Kiwi pacer Jay Ar. The judge that night at Forbury Park in Dunedin was unable to separate the two outstanding pacers.

The Maryborough , Victoria mare Richmond Lass followed on just 4 years later to take the Inter Dominion trophy from the Wayville track in Adelaide in 1969. She was a comfortable 6 yards winner for trainer Jack Moore.

This was the era of some great mares as in 1971 the NZ bred and owned mare Stella Frost won in a close finish over Manaroa . This was also a controversial Final at Addington in Christchurch as the first horse across the finish line , Juniors Image , was later disqualified after returning a positive swab.

The last mare to win Inter Dominion success is now some 37 years ago when Jodies Babe had a neck to spare for young Victorian reinsman Scotty Stewart . The first two placegetters were trained by Kilmore horseman Bob Knight. The trophy presentation could have been highly memorable after some jostling between two owners almost put the Governor’s wife on the deck.

Five Stallions have Quinellaed The Pacers Finals.

It is the sign of an outstanding Stallion to have multiple runners in Inter Dominion Finals , but it takes a very special Stallion to sire both the winner and runner up in the same year.

Over the 90 year history of the Inter Dominions just five Stallions have achieved this feat and for four of them it isn’t a surprise . However in 2022 there was a somewhat surprise result.

So here are those Five Stallions [ three of which have quinellaed the result on two occasions ].

Globe Derby

1936 at Gloucester Park Logan Derby and Evicus.

1939 at Launceston Springfield Globe and Globe Dorell.

Light Brigade

1951 at Addington Vedette and Soangetaha.

Vance Hanover

1991 at Alexandra Park Mark Hanover and Christopher Vance.

1999 at Alexandra Park Our Sir Vancelot and Iraklis.

Bettors Delight

2015 at Menangle Beautide and Flaming Flutter

2017 at Gloucester Park Lazarus and Chicago Bull.

Shadow Play

2022 at Melton I Cast No Shadow and Torrid Saint.

 

by Harnesslink Media