NZ to host the Australasian Young Drivers Championship (AYDC)

The 1Equine Australasian Young Drivers Championship (AYDC) is to return to New Zealand for the first time in seven years.

The AYDC will see the next generation of harness racing talent from both sides of the Tasman go head-to-head across 10 heats at four venues, culminating with the big finale on New Zealand Trotting Cup Day at Addington on Tuesday, November 10.

The AYDC is proudly supported by naming rights partner 1Equine, a trusted manufacturer and supplier of allnatural supplements designed to support horses’ stamina, recovery and digestive health.

The Championship will be held at:

• Wednesday, November 4 – Cambridge Raceway – 2 races
• Friday, November 6 – Alexandra Park, Auckland – 3 races
• Sunday, November 8 – Ashburton Raceway – 4 races
• Tuesday, November 10 – New Zealand Trotting Cup Day, Addington Raceway – 1 race

The championship will feature representatives from each Australian state, the defending Australasian Young Drivers Champion, and three New Zealand representatives.

The last time the AYDC was held in New Zealand Sarah O’Reilly won it in 2019. 2026 will see the 42nd edition of the AYDC, with the first being won by Chris Lewis in 1977.

New Zealand’s team will comprise:

• The winner of the New Zealand Junior Drivers Championship
• The leading North Island junior driver at the conclusion of the qualifying period (September 27, 2026)
• The leading South Island junior driver at the conclusion of the qualifying period (September 27,2026)

All drivers must have been under 25 as of January 1, 2026.

“The Australasian Young Drivers Championship is a fantastic opportunity for emerging talent from both countries,” says HRNZ’s Head of Racing and Wagering, Matthew Peden.

“And we’re excited to conclude the series on our biggest day much like we did when we hosted the World Driving Championship last year.”

The AYDC’s official charity partner is the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust, an organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting equine welfare through the delivery of the highest standards of emergency response and care.

Further details, including the confirmed driver line-up and championship conditions, will be announced closer to the event.

For more information please contact courtney@hrnz.co.nz. Note: The breakdown of races run across the four Championship venues are subject to change.

 

From Harness Racing New Zealand