As 2025 comes to a close it’s time to reflect on some of the stars, memorable moments and things to get excited about next year.
Here’s a few of my key takeouts and I’m sure you’ve got plenty of your own.
RACE OF THE YEAR
The Blacks A Fake came late, but stole the show.
An epic stoush down the home straight before Don Hugo snatched a nose win over the great Leap To Fame with The Janitor marking his arrival in the big league with a close-up third.
HORSE OF THE YEAR
Goes to Leap To Fame for the third successive year, albeit the challengers are looming.
The champ raced 22 times in 2025 for 15 wins, five seconds and a third. He banked about another $1.8 million to surpass $5 million in his career.
BEST WIN OF THE YEAR
I didn’t think we could possibly top Leap To Fame’s crushing display in the Race By Betcha at Cambridge in April, but Kingman did so with his astonishing NZ Cup win, after being three wide without cover for the last 1400m and beating Leap To Fame.
Some Kiwi veterans said it was the best NZ Cup win they’d ever seen.
MOST MEMORABLE WIN
For me, it was clearly Tracy The Jet’s victory in The Ascent at Addington during NZ Cup Week.
What a brave trip back to NZ by Jess Tubbs 12 months after she and husband Greg Sugars won the Group 1 Dominion Trot with Just Believe on NZ Cup Day. Sugars tragically passed away in April, this year.
Those scenes when Tubbs embraced close friend and winning driver James Herbertson moments after the race were beyond special.
DRIVER OF YEAR
Going a bit left field here.
Luke McCarthy for mine. When you beat Leap To Fame four times on two different horses in the same year, you’re a marvel.
Some of his drives on mighty mare Eye Keep Smiling were also sublime, especially that Golden Girl win at Albion Park.
James Herbertson, Cam Hart, Gary Hall Jr, Deni Roberts, Nathan Dawson, Pete McMullen, Wayne Hill, Will Rixon and Angus Garrard have also had huge years.
OTHER STARS OF THE YEAR
Kingman: Didn’t he arrive! Those Victoria Cup and NZ Cup wins were amazing. Such was his impact, some say he’s overtaken Leap To Fame as our top pacing seed.
Keayang Zahara: Didn’t see much of her, but what we did simply whet our appetite for what’s to come in 2026 and, hopefully, when she takes on the world in time.
Gus: So good to see the guy delivered on his untapped talent with that amazing NZ Cup Week double (Dominion and NZ Trotting free-for-all). Just when it seemed Keayang Zahara may have all the big trotting races to herself … Gus says “hey, what about me.”
Loucasso: There’s a touch of Courage Under Fire about this youngster. He’s not big and his legs go so fast. His speed is something else. Those Protostar and Breeders Crown wins pointed to something special. Can he become the first 3YO to win the TAB Eureka?
Marketplace/Got The Chocolates: The Aussies have dominated the Kiwis in major open-class races for the past three years, but this pair may shift the dial. Their 3YO rivalry was something else. The times and sheer talent they showed was stunning. The Kiwis have two young stars to hang their hats on.
The Janitor: Always had some X-factor and it’s really coming together. Stepped into the big league and ran a mighty third in scintillating time. Looks every bit a Grand Circuit star in the making.
Arcee Phoenix: It’s easy to forget after his below par finish to the year, but to go to NZ and win the TAB Trot and then add an Inter Dominion final is a huge effort.
STORY OF THE YEAR
The guaranteed future and hugely exciting redevelopment of Albion Park is great for Australian harness racing, not just Queensland.
And wouldn’t it be amazing if whatever pulse remains for harness racing to return to Moonee Valley became reality.
INNOVATION OF THE YEAR
The Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Challenge at Albion Park back in February was a monstrous success on every level – crowd, engagement, industry excitement, international exposure and wagering turnover. Can’t wait to see the final line-up of drivers and be trackside again in February.
Also a special mention to the great and different work content creator Scotty Hamilton does promoting the game in WA. That vision from inside the sulky of Deni Roberts winning the WA Pacing Cup on Minstrel was so damn good.
UPSET OF THE YEAR
Doesn’t get any bigger than Bulletproof Boy running down the great Leap To Fame in the Smoken Up Sprint at Melton on October 11.
The rising 11-year-old posted his 48th of his career and what a credit he’s been to trainer Scotty Ewen.
Of course, he’s since gone on to win his 50th race and is headed back to the big league for the Group 2 Bendigo Cup on January 10.
ALSO WORTH NOTING …
- Minstrel is a marvel. What a way to finish the best year of his career as a rising nine-year-old with that epic WA Cup win. The Minstrel/Deni Roberts package is one of the best things in the game.
- Mister Smartee: Winning the huge Nullarbor/Freo Cup double was special. What a shame he’s been sidelined with injury.
- Triedtotellya is the most exciting horse to come out of Tasmania since Beautide more than a decade ago. 16 wins from just 22 starts, including eight of his past nine. Wouldn’t it be great if he measured on the mainland.
- What a shame Always Hot went amiss after his NSW Derby win in March. Unbeaten in eight starts, oozes talent and we can only hope he’s back to have a serious crack at the TAB Eureka.
- Cyclone Jordy is the Always Hot of WA. Unbeaten in 10 WA starts for Gary Hall Sr, including eight this year. Hall Sr loves him, but he did a tendon and won’t be back until late next year at best.
- Eye Keep Smiling is one of those rare champion mares who can match it with the boys. 14 starts against the girls for 12 wins and a second this year. Two starts against the boys included a “run of the race” third in the Gp1 Len Smith Mile. Can’t wait to see her chasing the mare’s triple crown in Victoria soon.
- Soho Americano’s resilience and consistency was remarkable. First of 22 runs (11 wins, six seconds and two thirds) for 2025 was second at Hamilton on January 12. Went right through to December 13 when second in the Breeders Crown final. Raced in three states, seven tracks and won NSW and Victoria Oaks.
