As we approach the festive season, I want to extend my heartfelt wishes to everyone across the Victorian harness racing industry, and hope you find time to celebrate with loved ones.
This is a time to pause and consider the challenges we have overcome and the progress we have made. I am proud of the resilience the industry has shown and the collective determination to build a sustainable, prosperous future that ensures generations will shine within the sport for years to come.
Significant ground has been made, with Harness Racing Victoria on track to transform a $25 million loss in FY24 into a break-even FY26. I recognise the impact this transformation has placed on all layers of the industry and am grateful for your commitment and support.
There is plenty more work to be done. Still, we can now look forward with a foundation from which to build, including a revitalised and star-studded Summer of Glory, a rich $2.75 million Vicbred Vouchers program that is driving new ownership and breeding, and a calendar of country cups that is connecting our great sport with regional communities.
I look forward to celebrating the forthcoming successes with you, including bringing in the New Year with the Young Guns at Melton Entertainment Park. While we all know that “racing never stops”, I hope you find the time to celebrate, relax, and recharge for the opportunities ahead, and urge you to travel safely when on the road during the busy holiday season.
Regards,
Matt Isaacs
HRV CEO
Victoria's Young Guns set to bring the New Year's fireworks
The final list of drivers for the 2025 Young Guns Series final is set! The top 10 under-25 Victorian-licensed drivers based on season wins up to and including November 30 have earned their spots at Melton.
These rising stars are ready to battle it out on December 31 for a shot at the ultimate prize.
The drivers will compete in ratings-exempt races throughout the night, with a sliding points scale based on finishing positions used to declare an overall winner.
The stakes are huge: the winner takes home a money-can’t-buy trip to the United States, including an exclusive behind-the-scenes training and racing experience with New York powerhouse Shane and Lauren Tritton.
Taylor Youl secured the final position after her victory aboard the Jamie Kirk-trained Rakajed.
“When Rakajed won, it was probably more of a relief than anything else,” Youl said after the victory that landed her the final spot in this year’s series.
“If a girl wins, they get to compete in a lady drivers race at the Meadowlands in March. It’s an unreal opportunity for the young drivers to be able to go and have the chance to travel overseas and learn how they do things over there.”
Ryan Sanderson, who claimed the inaugural series in 2023, is back to defend his crown and currently leads Victoria’s young drivers in wins.
While patrons on track will enjoy a great night, those at home can watch the action on Sky Racing, Sky Racing Active, and TrotsVision.
2025 YOUNG GUNS: 1 Ryan Sanderson, 2 Luke Dunne, 3 Jordan Leedham, 4 Ryan Backhouse, 5 Liam Older, 6 Tasmyn Potter, 7 Connor Clarke, 8 Ewa Justice, 9 Sean O’Sullivan, 10 Taylor Youl.
Next month's Summer of Glory will feautre six super Saturdays at six venues to celebrate the very best of Victorian harness racing. The carnival will bring you an unforgettable line-up of nine amazing Group 1s between January 10 and February 14, drawing Australasia's best pacers and trotters.
Kingman poised for a major tilt at Summer of Glory carnival
Kingman’s plan to snare Victoria’s new $1 million bonus has been hatched.
Trainer Luke McCarthy confirmed Australia’s most exciting pacer would launch his attack on the six-race Victorian Cups’ circuit in the first of them, the $75,000 Group 2 Bendigo Cup (1609m) on January 10.
Kingman, who burst into the big league with Victoria and NZ Cups wins, is locked-in to tackle the first three legs of the six-race series, which carries a $1 million bonus for any pacer who can win four legs, including the $250,000 Group 1 Hunter Cup on February 14.
“Mick (Harvey) and I are going hard at it (the bonus) from the start,” McCarthy said. “We’ll have him raring to go for Bendigo and then back-up at Shepparton the week after and Ballarat after that (January 24)."
Apply now: Exciting opportunity in France for a Victorian driver
Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) is pleased to announce a late invitation for a Victorian to drive in the Coupe Intercontinentale des Amateurs at Vincennes, France, on Saturday 24 January 2026 – the day before the prestigious Prix d’Amérique.
The successful applicant will not only get the chance to drive in the race, but experience the prestigious Prix d’Amerique meeting the following day.
HRV is calling for nominations of interested drivers, and will subsidise a portion of the travel costs to assist the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Vicbred Vouchers flood the state with $5k owner and breeder incentives
The map of Vicbred Voucher winners has swelled significantly in the wake of APG Vicbred Super Series, with winning owners of every heat, semi-final, final, and consolation race each receiving a $5000 voucher.
The $2.75 million ownership and breeding celebration, which was announced in July, sees $5000 vouchers won between September 2025 and November 2026 thanks to the State Government's Victorian Racing Industry Fund.
The vouchers can go towards your next stallion service or APG or Nutrien sales purchase. Details here.
The map below shows how the vouchers have quickly filtered to owners and breeders throughout the state:
There will be plenty of $5000 Vicbred Vouchers to be won through to November 2026, including in the following races.
Pacers:
Dec 18 @ Kilmore: 2YO Maiden
Dec 21 @ Cranbourne: One Lifetime Win
Dec 28 @ Cobram: Maiden
Dec 31 @ Melton: Mares Up to 55 and a Maiden
Jan 1 @ Echuca: Up to 46
Jan 2 @ Melton: Fillies & Mares Maiden
Jan 5 @ Horsham: 1 LTW
Jan 9 @ Melton: Mares Up to 59
Jan 11 @ Hamilton: Up to 45
Jan 13 @ Swan Hill: Mares up to 50
Jan 16 @ Geelong: Maiden
Jan 18 @ Cranbourne: 53-59
Jan 19 @ Charlton: Mares up to 50
Jan 22 @ Kilmore: 3YO Maiden
Jan 23 @ Melton: Mares up to 65
Jan 25 @ Wedderburn: 55-64
Jan 29 @ Mildura) 56-64
Trotter:
Jan 4 @ Maryborough: 51-56
Jan 11 @ Hamilton: Maiden
Jan 14 @ Bendigo: Up to 39
Jan 25 @ Wedderburn: Maiden
Jan 26 @ Terang: 30+ SS
Jan 27 @ Shepparton: Up to 49
For a full list of Vicbred Vouchers race dates CLICK HERE
Herbertson and Gath to represent Victoria in Tassie this Sunday
Having won the Australasian Young Drivers’ Championship in Brisbane earlier this year, Herbertson can ice 2025 by adding a second open-aged Australian drivers’ crown in Hobart.
The 25-year-old will represent Victoria in Sunday’s Australian Drivers’ Championship, flying his state's flag along with Kate Gath, Australia's most successful Group 1 winning female driver.
“It’s always a big thrill and honour to represent your state,” Herbertson said.
It builds as a significant way to cap 2025, a year in which every statistic says it’s been another phenomenal season in the sulky for Herbertson, but away from the track, it’s been harrowing.
TOC's TAKEAWAYS: Farewell Joey, maiden winners, and crossing codes
Harness racing lost one of its most passionate and influential figures earlier this month, with the legendary Joe Thompson sadly passing after a long battle with illness.
Thompson was a Group 1-winning trainer, former Charlton Harness Racing Club president, incredible community contributor and champion person.
He was farewelled by hundreds on Friday and laid to rest in his home town of Charlton, which he loved so dearly.
Trotters deliver Breeders Crown glory for Bellman, Day, and the Lees
It took Michael Bellman 28 years to land his first Group 1 success and now he seemingly wins them for fun thanks to his exciting young trotter Mecarno.
Mecarno ($1.50 fav) chalked up his third Group 1 win in the past six weeks with Bellman in the sulky when he led most of the way in his Breeders Crown (3YO Trotting Colts & Geldings) final at Melton on Saturday night.
With his main danger Enchauffour on his back, Mecarno reeled off a 27.7 last 400 metres to score by seven metres in a mile rate of 1:58.5.
A delighted Bellman savoured another Group 1 victory after the race. “They all get sweeter,” Bellman said.
Emma Stewart’s decade-long supremacy of two and three-year-old feature races continued unabated on Saturday night when her stable completed a clean sweep of all four Breeders Crown Pacing Finals at Melton.
It was a case of Australasia’s leading stable saving the best till last when a burgeoning star on the horizon, Loucasso, outclassed his rivals in the 2YO colts & geldings final, providing Stewart with five winners on the program.
The quick-acting and dedicated efforts of the Harness Racing Victoria track maintenance team are being credited with saving Saturday night’s rich Breeders Crown meeting.
Two heavy, isolated storms dropped more than 20mm of rain on Melton Entertainment Park leading up to the nine-race card, which severely impacted the surface of the home turn.
Melton track manager Jordan Robinson worked frantically with his crew of Joshua Raisbeck and Chris Lambrecht when the rain cleared to get the race meeting underway at the scheduled start time.
“The rain was heavy with hail stones, and I couldn’t really get on the track because the front straight was under water. We had that much rain in one hit – it was incredible,” Robinson said.
MELTON'S SHAKAMAKER DRIVE TO CLOSE FROM JANUARY 19
Shakamaker Drive, Melton, will close from January 19 until further notice owing to its deteriorating condition and the surrounding works.
The roadway has provided participants with access to Melton Entertainment Park's stalls, but in the interests of participant safety and to assist the neighbouring construction, participants will instead be advised to access the stalls via the main entrance.
Speed humps will be removed from the main entrance for a smoother entry for participants and their horses.
ADDITIONAL MARES-ONLY RACES ADDED TO THE CALENDAR IN 2026
HRV will increase the number of mares-restricted races from January next year.
In collaboration with Harness Breeders Victoria, the changes reinforce Victoria’s commitment to mares in their racing and breeding careers. Under the changes, HRV will trial additional mares’ races in January, prioritising venues with the highest horse populations.
More mares’ races will also be programmed in February and March, giving owners and trainers greater choice and racing administrators more data to evaluate the appropriate balance going forward.
Six of the January races will carry $5000 Vicbred Voucher bonuses for winning owners, all part of Victoria’s new $2.75 million ownership and breeding scheme that was launched in September. Winners can redeem their vouchers on stallion services or at select sales.
The upcoming mares’ races, venues and grades are listed below:
Pacers:
Jan 2 @ Melton: Maiden*
Jan 4 @ Maryborough: Up to 50
Jan 9 @ Melton: Up to 59*
Jan 9 @ Melton: Maiden
Jan 13 @ Swan Hill: Up to 50*
Jan 15 @ Kilmore: Up to 45
Jan 19 @ Charlton: Up to 50*
Jan 22 @ Kilmore: Up to 52
Jan 23 @ Melton: Up to 65*
Jan 28 @ Maryborough: Up to 42
Trotters:
Jan 4 @ Maryborough: Up to 45
Jan 12 @ Maryborough: Up to 50
Jan 14 @ Bendigo: Maiden
Jan 21 @ Bendigo: Up to 50
Jan 28 @ Maryborough: Up to 44*
Jan 29 @ Ballarat: Up to 55
* Includes $5000 Vicbred Voucher
VICTORIAN 2YO RACES TO BEGIN IN FEBRUARY
Harness Racing Victoria will again introduce restricted two-year-old races from February to create more opportunities for young horses.
When applying the same method last year, HRV’s Racing Department found that more two-year-old races received sufficient nominations when opportunities were condensed in the year’s early months.
HRV will once again program two-year-old races at central Victorian venues, where the category’s population is at its greatest, with pacing races to begin in February and trotting races in March.
Two-year-old races will be scheduled as follows:
Feb 4 @ Maryborough (pacers)
Feb 11 @ Maryborough (pacers)
Feb 25 @ Maryborough (pacers)
Mar 6 @ Melton (pacers and trotters)
Mar 16 @ Maryborough (pacers and trotters)
Mar 30 @ Maryborough (pacers and trotters)
HRV TO INTRODUCE CLAIMING RACES IN FEBRUARY
Harness Racing Victoria will trial pacing claiming races from February to April to provide participants with alternative racing opportunities.
HRV's racing team will review stakeholder feedback and monitor nominations and acceptances to determine whether claiming races should be added to programs beyond that date.
Venues such as Maryborough, Kilmore and Mildura have been identified in the February programs, prioritising those with the highest horse populations.
The racing team will also review the concept and consider whether it should also be applied to trotters in the coming months.
Claiming races scheduled in February:
Feb 4 @ Maryborough ($8000 claimer, 2100m, PBD/Claiming Price) $6000
Feb 12 @ Kilmore ($10,000 claimer, 1690m, PBD NR) $8000
Feb 18 @ Mildura ($6000 claimer, 2190m, PBD/NR) $4000
Feb 25 @ Maryborough ($6000 claimer, 1690m, PBD/Claiming Price) $4000
To contact the Racing office, call 03 8378 0291 from 7.30 am-3.30 pm on weekdays or 8-9 am on weekends and public holidays, or email racing@hrv.org.au. For late scratchings or driver changes out of hours, leave a message on 03 9214 0650.
From HRV's customer service, futurities, and licensing:
FUTURITIES:
VICBRED: Automatic invoicing was actioned at the start of December, with payment required by February 2, 2026. To withdraw go to My Futurities via HarnessWeb, email info@hrv.org.au or call HRV Customer Service 03 8378 0200. Series fees for eligible 2YOs can be actioned via email or phone. Further information available on Vicbred - The Trots.
LICENSING:
RENEWALS: Licensees can still renew online through Harnessweb, where they can upload medical and declare betting (drivers). As part of the renewal process, to have a licence activated, you must complete payment and HRV's online compliance courses through the Safetrac Portal.
NEW LICENCE PORTAL: Licensees will see a new licence portal appear in Harnessweb in the New Year. The licence portal will allow licensees to apply for upgrades/downgrades and to submit new applications with all documents required (uploaded), questions, and declarations forming part of the process. Communications will be sent prior to the new options release in Harnessweb.
FOAL NOTIFICATIONS: Online foal notifications are available through HarnessWeb for services. All services must be submitted, regardless of the outcome. For a live foal, please ensure this is actioned within three weeks from foaling date to avoid late penalties. More details can be found at Foal Notifications & Microchipping - The Trots.
MICROCHIPPING: Microchip packs will be dispersed within days of the live foal notification submission. The packs will be sent to the location where the foal is residing. Please ensure that if you are engaging your own vet they scan the code on the microchipping guidelines to register as a HRV-approved vet. This code is sent in with the package or via the website at Foal Notifications & Microchipping - The Trots. This must be done prior to visiting your property to microchip your foal. More details and all FAQs can be found at Foal Notifications & Microchipping - The Trots.
REGISTRATION FORMS: A reminder that HRV has advised that from July 1, 2025, the following transaction functions must be completed online through HarnessWeb: foal notifications, namings, transfers of ownership, licence applications including renewals, leases, deregistration/death of horses, split prizemoney payments.
ACCOUNTS:
SPLIT PRIZEMONEY PAYMENTS: These are available for managing owners of partnerships to set-up via HarnessWeb, with stake money distribution split to everyone, including futurity win and participant incentive bonuses. To be eligible, owners must have active HarnessWeb accounts populated with up-to-date emails and Australian/international bank account details. More details can be found at Split Prizemoney Payments - The Trots.
The Customer Service Team would like to thank everyone for their support throughout 2025 and wishes you all a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
Have a query? Contact HRV's Customer Service Team on 03 8378 0200, 8.30 am-5 pm on weekdays, or email info@hrv.org.au. The team will be closed on public holidays, including Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year's Day.
From Pony Trots Victoria:
The terrific young ponies and talented drivers have been tearing up the track. Here are some of the most recent winners, including a huge congratulations to Tywin Quinlan on achieving his first driving win.
Melton Pony of the Year (night 5) results
Race 1: 1st - Pinecliffe Gent, driven by Ella Moran; 2nd - Burnaholeinmybucket, driven by Amelia Hodgson; 3rd - Minnie, driven by Madeline Welch.
Race 2: 1st - Pinecliffe Gent, driven by Ella Moran; 2nd - Burnaholeinmybucket, driven by Amelia Hodgson; 3rd - Twinkle Toes Ollie, driven by Arabella Maxwell-Dedini.
Geelong Pony Trots Cup night results
Prelude: 1st - Minnie, driven by Madeline Welch; 2nd - Burnaholeinmybucket, driven by Amelia Hodgson; 3rd - Whatarose, driven by Annabelle Stanley.
Geelong Pony Trots Cup: 1st - Whatarose, driven by Annabelle Stanley; 2nd - Burnaholeinmybucket, driven by Amelia Hodgson; 3rd - Minnie, driven by Madeline Welch.
With 16 points to the winner, and only another three country cups to go in the year, Annabelle and Whatarose may be hard to beat for the title of 2025 Country Cup Champions!
Shepparton Pony of the Year (night 4) results
Race 1: 1st - Pinecliffe Gent, driven by Ella Moran; 2nd - She's Bulletproof, driven by Charlie Walters; 3rd - Jam Packed, driven by Alekxander Quinlan.
Race 2: 1st - Pretty Cool, driven by Tywin Quinlan; 2nd - Twinkle Toes Ollie, driven by Arabella Maxwell-Dedini; 3rd - Pinecliffe Gent, driven by Ella Moran.
Hygain Stawell Pony Trots Cup results
PETstock Prelude: 1st - Whatarose, driven by Annabelle Stanley; 2nd - Twinkle Toes Ollie, driven by Arabella Maxwell-Dedini; 3rd - Blaze, driven by Bella Mason.
Hygain Stawell Pony Trots Cup: 1st - Whatarose, driven by Annabelle Stanley; 2nd - Blaze, driven by Bella Mason; 3rd - Lollipop, driven by Ebony Mason.
Shepparton Pony of the Year (night 5) results
Race 1: 1st - Jam Packed, driven by Alekxander Quinlan; 2nd - Pinecliffe Gent, driven by Ella Moran; 3rd - Burnaholeinmybucket, driven by Amelia Hodgson.
Race 2: 1st - Pretty Cool, driven by Tywin Quinlan; 2nd - Pinecliffe Gent, driven by Ella Moran; 3rd - Freaky Fran, driven by Katie Thomson.
Enquiries and nominations are being received for Harness Racing Victoria's life after racing program, HRV Hero, with a steady number of horses being rehomed, both through our valued retrainers and the direct off-the-track avenues.
Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) is aware of the increasing availability and use of artificial intelligence (AI) enabled smart wearable devices, including smart glasses and similar technologies. Common examples of these products include, but are not limited to, Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses, Google Glass Enterprise Edition and Microsoft HoloLens.
We understand that as technology continues to evolve, such devices may have legitimate applications in broader society and, potentially, within aspects of the racing industry. However, to ensure the ongoing integrity of harness racing in Victoria, and while we undertake a review of the implications, risks and potential uses of these devices within the harness racing environment, the following direction is issued:
Effective immediately, the use of AI glasses, smart glasses, augmented reality (AR) glasses or any similar AI-enabled wearable visual devices is prohibited at all race meetings and official trial meetings conducted in Victoria. This prohibition applies to all participants while on-course at any race meeting or official trial meeting.
