In a new initiative to highlight those that help keep our sport going Harness Racing New Zealand has decided on a new monthly award for its breeders and owners.
And the first recipients have been decided.
Every month all owners and breeders who win a race will be eligible, with a random number generator selecting the two winners.
October’s winners are (owner) Benjamin Young, a co-owner of Sailor Boy, and (breeder) Gavin Turner, who bred, trains and races Sir Monty.
Sailor Boy, trained by Mark Jones, has won one from seven, with that sole success coming at Methven on October 8 – not that Young was there to see it.
“I was playing golf at Kaiapoi and was screaming at my phone down the 17th fairway!”
Just 25, Young is a polystrene fabricator and rugby strapper/physio (for the Kaiapoi seniors) who got into harness racing through his family’s involvement.
Sailor Boy wasn’t Young’s first winner, with Christie Marie also winning at Forbury Park in 2018.
Both Sailor Boy (Downbytheseaside) and Christie Marie (Bettor’s Delight) are out of four win mare Hayley Bailey.
Turner is a hobby trainer in North Canterbury who works just the one horse. Sir Monty is now a two race winner, with his latest success being at Timaru on October 1.
“It was seven years between wins for me and seven starts between wins for the horse,” says Turner.
Sir Monty’s first win (seven starts earlier) was at Addington on July 9 this year. Previously his only other training success was with Rolling Thunder at Motukarara in November, 2016.
“Monty’s first win was his 50th start too,” says Turner.
“He has a great nature and is a very kind horse – sometimes I think he could jog himself around the track.”
Turner, a quality assurance technician at Hellers meats in Kaiapoi, started training in 2015.
And he has the next generation already lined up.
“I have a Royal Aspirations colt I’m about to break in.”
HRNZ congratulates its first winners – and plaques to mark the occasion are on their way.
