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Harness racing duo Gemma Hewitt and Brendan Barnes are used to experiencing plenty of nervous moments while competing in the sport they love. But that pales in comparison to the agonising wait they endured in hospital when baby son Benji was born on April 28 this year. The Group 1 winners, who drive and train […]
All roads lead to Redcliffe for the Shannon Price stable this weekend as the 2026 Queensland Constellations kicks off. The trainer will roll out a four-pronged attack on the opening night of the winter carnival at “The Triangle.” The horsewoman will be looking to take out the Redcliffe Gold Cup with stars Final Deadline and […]
As a race photographer, Dan Costello is used to dealing with the wild weather that can sometimes descend on meetings. He describes the night he recently returned to capturing the action at the Redcliffe Harness Racing Club as “cyclonic.” But having spent the past year in the fight of his life battling cancer, Costello would […]
From the very moment she hopped on his back, Ariella Stafford was told her standardbred Practically Magic would never be able to compete in showjumping. Fast forward eight years and the duo were crowned the 2025 Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT) Leaderboard Champions for Showjumping in the Standardbreds category at the recent Equestrian Queensland Annual Awards. The […]
The Brisbane Lions have been kings of the AFL jungle over the last two seasons and now they have turned their attention to becoming royalty in harness racing. Spearheaded by Brisbane defender Noah Answerth, the second edition of the Ultimate Driver Championship will have a distinct Lions flavour when it rolls around in February of […]
The Queensland harness racing industry is mourning the loss of long-time participant and track curator Ronald Knack. Affectionately known as “Knacky” by many within the sport, the respected former trainer and owner passed away in late November. He was 81 years of age. There wasn’t any aspect of the harness racing industry that Knack did not […]
Standardbred Themostess never won a harness race, but it is her impact off the track that proved to be far more valuable for owner and trainer Bob O’Connor. The pacer retired from racing in August this year, and within a month was competing in the Gold Coast Show’s harness and off-the-track classes. Themostess had 21 […]
Kylie Reynolds no longer has use of her legs, but she is proving that disability is no barrier to success – all thanks to a former harness racing racehorse. The 50-year-old para-rider has been taking part in dressage tests on the back of standardbred “Leroy,” who was known as Royal Shine in his racing days. […]
For someone who drives and trains one of the greatest pacers in the history of the sport, Grant Dixon is almost as understated and low-key as it gets. It takes a fair bit to get the 52-year-old legendary harness man up and about. Even now and a few years into Leap To Fame’s dazzling career […]
Branxholme trainer Nathan Williamson took Dreams Are Free (Captaintreacherous) and stablemate Passchendaele (Betterthanchedder) to the Oamaru trials today to further their preparation for new campaigns. The stablemates were the sole entries in a 2000 metre stand. “They just rolled round and finished more or less together and went what (time) I wanted them to go. […]
When James Herbertson takes to the track for Inter Dominion week, he knows he will have some extra help from above in his pursuit of victory. Australia’s premier harness racing driver will be out to honour the memory of his late great friend and mentor Greg Sugars every time he hops in the sulky during […]
The Smith family have been entrenched in harness racing for decades, and now the next generation will get their chance to shine at next week’s Inter Dominion Finals night. Connor and Daniel Smith will fly the flag for Queensland in the Mini Trots Inter Dominion Championship at Albion Park on Saturday, July 19. The duo […]
There was never any doubt over whether Leap To Fame (Bettor’s Delight) would one day be inducted into the Queensland Harness Racing Hall of Fame. But to achieve the feat while still racing and at the top of your game is almost unprecedented. The champion pacer received the honour at the 2024 Queensland Harness Awards […]
It is normally Chloe Butler’s favourite time of year, but Team Teal will take on extra meaning for the young harness racing driver in 2025. Butler and Taleah McMullen are Queensland’s official 2025 Team Teal ambassadors, which kicked off over the weekend. The annual campaign, which raises funds for ovarian and gynaecological cancer research, will run […]
She may originally hail from south of the Tweed, but Paige Bevan will not knock back the opportunity of competing on the national stage – even if it means representing Queensland. The young harness racing driver will don the maroon and gold of the Sunshine State at this weekend’s Australian Female Drivers Championship. She will […]
Warrawee Xalt (Royalty For Life) won his second straight harness racing Preferred-Handicap at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Friday (Aug. 29) for his seventh win of the year. The gelding mustered early speed and made the front from post six for Ryan Guy and cut a :28.1 first quarter and :58.4 half. He held the first-over […]
He’s the former harness racing horse that was bought for $500 off Gumtree, who is now thriving in his post-racing life. My Dad Angus (Angus Hall) had 22 starts at Albion Park and Redcliffe between June 2017 and January 2019, but never really found his groove on the track. Now the standardbred, who is referred […]
Bill Crosby is a man of few words – but he’s not short on them when he talks about his beloved Frankie Ferocious (Captaintreacherous). The respected harness racing participant owns and bred the four-year-old, while son Ben also formerly trained him. The bay gelding will be looking to add another Group 1 to his resume […]
Two more of Australia’s top harness racing pacers have been confirmed for the Group 1 RacingandSports.com.au The Rising Sun. Earlier today, it was announced that Group 1 champions Captains Knock (Captaintreacherous) and Lux Aeterna (Captaintreacherous) will line up in the $355,000 race at Albion Park on July 13, as part of the Queensland Constellations. They […]
There’s no questioning slot holder Jamie Durnberger-Smith’s confidence ahead of The Highlight Reel (Poster Boy) lining up in the inaugural Ladbrokes Protostar. The two-year-old, along with boom filly Bittersweet, have been confirmed as the latest harness racing runners for the new showpiece event to be held as part of the Queensland Constellations’ final night on […]
Leonard Cain faces off against some of Queensland’s best harness racing drivers on an almost-daily basis but will face a new challenge in next week’s 1EQUINE 2023 Australasian Young Drivers Championships. The 24-year-old will line up alongside fellow young gun Angus Garrard as Queensland’s representatives in the series, which brings together the best under 25-year-old […]
Julie Walker, driving Angelo (Custard The Dragon), produced a 24-1 upset in a harness racing contest for women drivers at Woodbine Mohawk Park on Monday (Oct. 30). Walker had the gelding sitting in the four-hole through the first half and held him to the pylons rounding the final turn. As dueling leaders drifted apart down […]
Warren Craven has bred dozens of horses over the past three decades, but there’s no doubt he has a special connection to one more than most. Rocknroll Classic, the product of A Rocknroll Dance and Skip To The Beat, was the stallion that captured the breeder’s heart. Known as “Dance” around Craven’s stable, the pacer […]
