On September 14 1968 the legendary New Zealander Cardigan Bay wrote his name into the record books by becoming harness racing’s first $1 million prizemoney winner.

Since then the list of seven-figure earners has grown to 1208 – 618 trotters and 590 pacers – according to the website classicfamilies.net.

The champion Italian trotter Varenne, by Waikiki Beach (grandson of Speedy Crown), sits atop the money-winning list with 6,038,417 euros. Next on the list is Bold Eagle (5,124,087 euros), followed by Timoko (5,006,731), Moni Maker ($5,589,256), Ready Cash (4,282,300 euros), Commander Crowe ($5,099,590), Victory Tilly (37,205,278 Swedish kronas), Jag De Bellouet (4,223,699 euros), Arch Madness ($4,288,981) and General Du Pommeau (3,570,114 euros).

A total of 10 NZ-bred trotters have earned more than $1 million, headed up by the mighty Lyell Creek with $2,653,418.

Other NZ-bred trotters to reach the magical million mark are I Can Doosit, Speeding Spur, Sundon’s Gift, Take A Moment, Keystone Del, Stent, One Over Kenny, Tornado Valley and Sundees Son.

The premier sire of million-dollar earning squaregaiters is Ready Cash with 14, while Yankee Glide, Muscle Hill and Muscles Yankee have 13 each. The leading broodmare sires are Speedy Crown with 17 and Muscles Yankee (15) and the number one family is Sally Sovereign with 38.

On the pacing side, Foiled Again, by Dragon Again from an Artsplace mare, is top of the prizemoney list with ($7,635,588). He is followed by McWicked ($4,930,967), the Australasian bred pair Blacks A Fake ($4,575,438) and Im Themightyquinn ($4,567,456), Gallo Blue Chip ($4,260,959) and Bettor’s Delight’s leading son Lazarus ($4,026,140).

Rounding out the top 10 are Mister Big ($4,008,257), Wiggle It Jiggleit ($3,945,839), Won The West ($3,939,836) and Eternal Camnation ($3,748,574).

The list includes 35 Australian-bred and 61 NZ bred pacers.

The leading sire of million-dollar earning pacers is Bettor’s Delight with 44, the premier broodmare sire is Artsplace with 53 and the number one family is Miss Duvall on 45.