The Garrards Horse and Hound Young Guns Series has a new home on The Trots website, bringing together everything you need to know about Victorian harness racing’s most exciting showcase of emerging driving talent.
Now entering its fourth year, the series has quickly established itself as a highlight on the calendar, providing the state’s most promising young drivers with an opportunity to shine on one of the biggest nights of the year on New Year’s Eve at Melton Entertainment Park.
Fans can follow the official leaderboard of eligible Victorian-licensed drivers, with the top 10 drivers aged under 25, based on season wins up to and including November 30, qualifying for the 2026 series.
The hub will also feature the complete series conditions, points-scoring system and competition rules, providing a clear picture of how the overall champion will be decided.
The 10 qualifying drivers will compete across eight ratings-exempt races on December 31, with points awarded according to finishing positions throughout the evening.
Beyond the competition itself, the new online home will bring together feature articles, driver profiles, interviews and video stories as the next generation of harness racing talent prepares for its biggest stage.
You will also be able to revisit the series’ first three editions, with historical articles, memorable moments and video highlights celebrating the drivers and stories that have helped establish the Young Guns concept.
The New Year’s Eve meeting at Melton is traditionally one of the most popular events on the Victorian harness racing calendar, combining top-class racing with family entertainment and a spectacular midnight fireworks display.
With an anticipated crowd of around 7,000, the 2026 Garrards Young Guns Series promises another memorable night as Victoria’s rising stars compete in front of one of the largest audiences of the season.
The dedicated hub will continue to grow in the lead-up to December 31, with fresh content, updated standings and all the latest developments surrounding the series.
