Oscar - a fighter from day one

Life initially wasn’t easy for Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son) and if it wasn’t for the intervention of Charlotte Williamson he may not have survived, let alone go on to become a harness racing millionaire.

Oscar’s mother Now’s The Moment was owned by Charlotte’s father John Purvis and was grazing at home.

“When I found him he was lying on the ground because the mare wouldn’t have him. The mare was still at home and the foal came a wee bit early. The vets were saying he had no chance of being a racehorse, but we managed to get the mare and Oscar to Nevele R and they managed to get Oscar back and going on the mare,” Charlotte said.

After the initial setback the colt was weaned and sent south to Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson.

“He came to me as a young horse. I think Charlette who loved the horse, would have been influential in sending the horse here because Matty was working for me at the time,” Phil said.

After being around the young horse for a while and knowing of his early struggles it was Phil who suggested the name.

“Back in the day I watched all those big-time fights including Oscar Bonavena fight against Muhummad Ali. All the papers were saying what a tough rugged fighter he was. I suggested that name and took it up and Oscar Bonavena he was.”

It didn’t take long for Williamson to be taken by the youngster.

“He was very natural in everything he did and fast. Matty had a lot to do with his breaking in. He was always a beautiful looking horse and still is.”

After winning on debut at Rangiora in the hands of Matty Williamson, Oscar Bonavena was taken to Addington for the Sires’ Stakes Two Year Old Trotters Championship. After sitting parked outside Enhance Your Calm trained by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, he was narrowly beaten.

“He went up to Auckland to have a crack at the Jewels. Mark made inquires about whether he could be bought. He trialled him at Tony Herlihy’s because that’s where I was staying and Roy was there as well. Mark took him out onto the track and was pretty much in love with him right from the start. He said as long as he passed the vet he’d be sold. He had beautiful manners and that’s what attracted Mark to him.”

The Williamson family who shaped the early part of Oscar Bonavena’s career have gained a lot of satisfaction in watching him in his nine season career and his journey to join the elite club of millionaire trotters.

“We’ve followed the horse and he’s become one of our greats. God given talent is what Oscar had.”

And continuing the legacy, they sent their mare Alderbeck to Oscar and she’s had a colt foal.

“He’s just a foal and is about to be weaned. He’s a big guy but so was his mum.”

Oscar’s fact sheet

• • Qualified for Phil Williamson at Oamaru 1^st April 2018
  • Won his first race for Williamson at Rangiora three weeks later.
  • Ran a gallant second to Enhance You Calm in the G2 Sires’ Stakes Two Year Old Trotters Championship after sitting parked.
  • Sold to Mark Purdon and raced by Roy Purdon MBE and American trainer Chris Ryder
  • Won his first race for Purdon as a three year old at Alexandra Park in December 2018
  • Addington his favourite track where he won 16 races followed by Cambridge (5)
  • Won three Group One races in New Zealand – the Dominion in 2021 and 2023 and the 2024 New Zealand Trotting Free for All.
  • Also won a further three races in Australia including the Group One Cranbourne Cup
  • Mark Purdon drove him to win 22 races, Olivia Thornley 4, Blair Orange 3, Natalie Rasmussen 2. Matthew Williamson, Tim Williams, Adam Sanderson, Anthony Butt and Greg Sugar – one each.
  • Biggest winning margin – ten lengths in the 2023 Green Mile at Mt Harding Raceway.
  • Biggest payday – winning the 2023 Dominion, earning $165,000.
  • Became a millionaire when he won the Cambridge Trotters Flying Mile in January 2025
  • A multiple winner of the Cambridge Flying Mile (3), Green Mile at Methven (3), Cambridge Trotters Flying Stakes (2), New Zealand Trotting Free for All (2) and the DG Jones Memorial Banks Peninsula Cup (2).
  • Named 2019/2020 Four Year Old Trotting Entire or Gelding of the Year
  • 2023 Five Year Old Trotting Entire or Gelding of the Year
  • 2023 New Zealand Trotter of the Year.
  • Is out of the Yankee Jolter mare Now’s The Moment. She left ten foals who’ve raced. They’ve collectively won 115 races and earnings of $2,239,739. Outside of Oscar Bonavena her other big winner was Dr Hook, 17 wins and $453,366.
  • Oscar Bonavena has fourteen foals on the ground, his first son was born on 8^th October 2025 and aptly named Mark One Easton.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink