Harness racing in New Zealand is primarily a professional sport which involves pacing and trotting competitions for Standardbred racehorses. The difference is the horse's gait or running style:
pacing is where the two legs on the same side of the horse move forward at the same time, and trotting is where the horse moves its two diagonally opposite legs forward at the same time.
In New Zealand the majority of standardbred races are for pacers and the most lucrative races are in that gait. Pacers are generally faster than trotters. However, harness racing is still often called trotting as that was the sport's traditional name.
History
Trotting races were held as part of the programme of some of the galloping meetings in the Otago Southland area as early as 1864. The first totalisators were introduced about this time. They faced opposition from a curious alliance of bookmakers and anti-gambling factions but were approved by the Clubs and licensed by the Colonial Secretary. The first trotting race on a racecourse in Canterbury, in 1875, before the totalisator was introduced, the stake was only about a "tenner" (£10), but the match created a lot of interest. About 1880, Lower Heathcote Racing Club was founded, supporting gallops, but added trotting events to its programme, giving smaller stakes. Some years later the club discontinued gallops and became the Lower Heathcote Trotting Club, which gave stakes ranging from £15 to £35.
The New South Wales bred, Lawn Derby, racing un-hoppled, was the first pacer to break the two-minute barrier in Australia or New Zealand when he recorded 1:59.4 at the Addington track in New Zealand in 1938.
From these early stages, the sport has developed with top races and top horses from then right up to the present day.
Racing rules In New Zealand, the metric distances are used. Races are at distances between 1600m and 3200m.
Racing the leader does not have to hand up the lead to any horse that challenges, often leaving a horse parked outside the leader in the "death seat", "the death", or "facing the breeze", which results in this horse covers more ground than the leader.
New Zealand races may have a field of up to 16 horses, although as numbers of horses have reduced some races will have less than 10 starters. This generally means that with the smaller tracks a "three wide train" starts as the field gets the bell to signal their final lap.
There is a system of an 'open lane' or 'passing lane' ('sprint lane' in Australia). These lanes do not operate on all tracks and have been a point of argument between many industry participants.
New Zealand horses are able to easily "cross the Tasman" to Australia, and Australian horses often compete in major New Zealand races.
In 2021, New Zealand aligned the deemed birth date of horses from 1 August to 1 January.
Major harness races
In New Zealand the richest and most important race is the New Zealand Trotting Cup, run for open class pacers in November at Addington Raceway. Other major races include the Auckland Trotting Cup as well as the Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile and the New Zealand Messenger Championship for four-year-olds. There are also the New Zealand Derby and the Great Northern Derby for three-year-olds, and the Dominion Handicap and Rowe Cup for trotters.
A marquee event is the annual series which takes place between New Zealand and Australia called the Inter Dominion. The series, which includes a pacing series and a trotting series, is held yearly. Previously it was rotated around the Australian State Controlling Bodies and once every four years the Inter Dominion Championships were held in New Zealand. However New Zealand has not held the event since 2019.
+ List of major harness races in New Zealand Race Club Grade Pace / Trot Type New Zealand Sires Stakes NZ Metro Group 1 Pace 3YOEaster Cup (discontinued after 2021) NZ Metro Group 1 PaceOpen The Race by betchaCambridgeListedPaceOpenNoel J Taylor Mile Auckland Group 1 Pace Open New Zealand Messenger Auckland Group 1 PaceOpen Northern Derby Auckland Group 1 Pace3YORowe Cup Auckland Group 1 TrotOpen New Zealand Sires Stakes Fillies Championship Auckland Group 1 Pace3YO Fillies Hannon Memorial Oamaru Group 3 PaceOpenCanterbury ClassicNZ MetroGroup 2PaceOpenAshburton Flying Stakes Ashburton Group 2 PaceOpen Ashburton Trotters Flying Mile Ashburton Group 3 TrotOpen Kaikoura Cup Kaikoura Group 2 PaceOpen Dominion Handicap NZ Metro Group 1 TrotOpen New Zealand Trotting Cup NZ Metro Group 1 PaceOpenNew Zealand Free For All NZ Metro Group 1 PaceOpen New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All NZ Metro Group 1 Trot Open The VelocityNZ MetroListedPace3YONew Zealand Derby NZ Metro Group 1 Pace3YO New Zealand Trotting Derby NZ Metro Group 1 Trot 3YO Invercargill Cup Invercargill Group 1 Pace OpenNational TrotAucklandGroup 1TrotOpenAuckland Trotting Cup Auckland Group 1 PaceOpen
Prominent New Zealand pacers
The following are some of New Zealand's greatest pacers and races they have won.
Key for 3-year-old and Australian races:
NZSS – New Zealand Sires Stakes GND – Great Northern Derby NZD – New Zealand Trotting Derby NSWD – New South Wales Derby QuD – Queensland Derby MM – Miracle Mile Pace HC – A G Hunter Cup VC – Victoria Cup WAPC – Western Australian Pacing Cup
Horse Born Sire Dam Dam Sire 3YO races Auck Cup NZ Cup NZ FFA Inter Dom Major Aust. races NZ or Australian Horse of the Year Other notes Auckland Reactor 2004Mach Three Atomic Lass Soky's Atom 2007 NZSS 1st2008 NZD 1st 2009 1st 2008 1st2009 5th 2009 12th2012 7th 2009 MM 6th2012 HC 2nd 2008, 2009 Blossom Lady 1984 Farm Timer (US)Lumber Lady Lumber Dream (US) 1992 1st1992 1st 1992 3rd1993 3rd1994 HC 1st1995 HC 1st1993 Caduceus1950 U Scott (US) Little Ada Frank Worthy (US) 1953 NZD 1st 1954 1st 1956 3rd 1958 2nd 1959 3rd 1956 1st1958 1st1959 1st1960 1st Captain Sandy1942 Sandydale (US) Waikura (US) Guy Parrish (US) 1948 1st 1949 1st 1949 2nd 1950 1st 1953 1st Cardigan Bay 1956Hal Tryax (US) Colwyn Bay Josedale Dictator (US) 1962 1st 1963 1st 1963 1st1961 1st1963 1st 1963 1st The first horse to win $1M. A total of 154 starts for 80 wins and 45 places. Changeover 2003 In The Pocket Chaangerr Vance Hanover (US) 2007 GND 1st 2007 NZD 1st 2007 4th2008 1st 2008 3rd 2009 3rd Chokin1988 Vance Hanover (US) Nell's Pride Tuft (US) 1991 NZSS 1st 1993 1st1994 1st 1993 1st1993 1st 1993 MM 1st 1994 MM 1st 1994 VC 1st 1991, 1994 Christian Cullen 1994 In The Pocket Pleasant Franco, Bo Scots Blue Chip 1997 NZSS 1st 1998 1st 1998 1st 1998 1st 1999 Christopher Vance1986 Vance Hanover (US) Disco Girl (NZ)Berry Hanover (US) 1990 GND 1st1990 2nd1991 1st 1992 2nd 1993 3rd 1994 3rd 1991 1st 1992 3rd 1991 MM 1st1992 Copy That 2016 American Ideal Lively Nights Live Or Die 2020 3rd, 2021 1st2022 1st Courage Under Fire1995 In The Pocket Advance Debra Vance Hanover (US)1998 NZSS 1st 1998 GND 1st 1999 NZD 1st Delightful Lady 1973 Tudor Hanover (US) Desilu (NZ) U Scott (USA) 1980 1st 1981 1st 1980 2nd 1981 Elsu1999 Falcon Seelster (US) Interchange (NZ) New York Motoring (US) 2002 GND 1st 2003 NZD 1st 2003 1st 2004 1st 2003 2nd 2004 2nd 2003 3rd 2005 1st 2005 HC 1st 2004, 2005 False Step1952 Fallacy (NZ) Dainty Direct (NZ) Dan 1956 NZD 1st 1957 4th 1958 1st, 1959 1st1960 1st 1960 1st Flashing Red 1997 Echelon Courvy Kazi Courvosier 2007 1st 2006 1st 2007 1st 2006 2nd2007 4th 2007 Great Evander1952 Bill B Scott (US) Ayrshire Scott (NZ) U Scott (US) Harold Logan 1922Logan Pointer (US) Ivy Cole (NZ) King Cole (NZ) 1931 1st, 1932 1st, 1934 3rd 1931 1st, 1934 1st, 1936 1st Highland Fling1942 U Scott (US) Queen Ayesha Frank Worthy (US) 1947 1st, 1948 1st 1948 1st Il Vicolo 1991 Vance Hanover (US) Burgundy Lass (NZ) Noodlum (NZ) 1994 NZSS 1st, 1995 GND 1st, 1995 NZD 1st 1995 1st, 1996 1st 1995 1st 1995, 1996 Im Themightyquinn 2004 Washington V C Love Sign Soky's Atom 2011 1st, 2013 1st 2011 1st, 2012 1st, 2013 1st 2011, 2012 and 2013 (Aust) Indianapolis1929 Wrack (US) Estella Amos (US) Dale Axworthy 1932 GND 1st 1933 1st 1934 1st, 1935 1st, 1936 1st 1935 1st Johnny Globe 1947 Logan Derby Sandfast Sandydale (US) 1950 GND 1st, 1950 NZD 1st 1951 2nd, 1953 2nd, 1954 1st 1953 1st, 1954 1st Just An Excuse 1998 Live Or Die My Excuse Smooth Fella 2003 1st, 2004 1st, 2005 3rd, 2004 1st, 2005 3rd Lazarus 2012 Bettor's Delight Bethany Christian Cullen 2016 GND 1st, 2016 NZD 1st 2016 1st, 2017 1st 2016 1st 2017 1st 2017 VC 1st 2018 HC 1st 2017 and 2018 NZ, 2018 (Aust) Raced and won in America Lord Module 1974 Lordship Module (NZ)Bachelor Hanover (USA) 1978 5th, 1979 1st 1978 3rd, 1979 1st, 1980 2nd 1980 Lordship 1958 Johnny Globe (NZ) Ladyship (NZ) U Scott (US) 1961 NZD 1st 1964 1st 1962 1st, 1964 3rd, 1966 1st 1962 1st, 1964 1st, 1967 1st Monkey King 2002 Sands A Flyin Tuapeka Vale Smooth Fella 2005 GND 1st, 2008 2nd, 2009 2nd, 2010 1st, 2007 2nd, 2009 1st, 2010 1st,2009 1st, 2010 1st, 2011 5th 2009 MM 1st 2010 Noodlum1971 Bachelor Hanover Deft Captain Adios 1974 NZD 1st 15 straight wins (28 in career) Our Sir Vancelot1990 Vance Hanover (US) Teeny Teeny (AU) Overtrick (USA) 1997 1st, 1998 1st, 1999 1st 1997 MM 1st, 1997 WAPC 1st, 1998 WAPC 1st 1997, 1998 and 1999 (Aust) Robalan 1967 Lumber Dream (US) Elsinor (NZ) U Scott (US) 1972 3rd, 1973 4th, 1974 1st, 1975 3rd1971 4th, 1972 1st, 1973 1st, 1974 1st 1974 A free-legged pacer. Robin Dundee1957 Hal Tryax Cherry Blossum Dillon Hall 1965 1st 1963 2nd, 1965 2nd, 1966 2nd 1965 1st 1965 1st= 1967 MM 1st Dead-heated in Interdom with Jay Ar Roydon Glen 1980 Smooth Fella Roydon DreamLumber Dream (US) 1984 GND 1st 1985 1st 1985 3rd 1985 Self Assured2015 Bettor's DelightStar Of Venus Christian Cullen2019 QuD 1st 2019 1st, 2022 1st 2020 1st, 2021 2nd, 2022 5th2021 2nd, 2022 1st, 2023 1st Smoken Up 2002Tinted Cloud Carnlough Bay Camtastic 2009 3rd, 2010 2nd, 2011 2nd 2010 3rd, 2011 1st 2010 MM 1st, 2011 MM 1st, 2011 VC 1st Terror to Love 2007 Western Terror Love To Live Live Or Die 2012 2nd, 2013 2nd, 2014 1st 2011 1st, 2012 1st, 2013 1st, 2014 4th 2012 3rd, 2014 4th 2013 & 2014 Young Quinn 1969 Young Charles (NZ) Loyal Trick (NZ) Hal Tryax (US) 1974 1st 1973 3rd, 1974 3rd 1973 4th, 1974 3rd 1975 1st1975 MM 1st, 1975
Prominent New Zealand trotters
The following are some of New Zealand's greatest trotters and races they have won: Horse Born Sire Dam Dam Sire NZ Trotting Derby / Stakes Dominion Handicap National Trot Rowe Cup Inter Dominion Trotting Championship NotesDavid Moss1983 Gekoj Proud Countess Hickory Pride 1993 1994 199331 wins from 89 starts Easton Light 1964 Great Evander Beverley Light Light Brigade 1972 1974 1973 1976 167 starts, 36 wins and 76 placings I Can Doosit 2005 Muscles Yankee Sheezadoosie Chiola Hanover 2011 20112012 2011 2012 2012 New Zealand Horse of the Year Johnny Gee 1961Johnny Globe Atone Light Brigade (USA)1965 1970 27 wins from 129 starts Lyell Creek 1993Royden Glen (NZ) Kahlum (NZ) Noodlum 19992001 2004 19992000 2000 2001 2004 2000 Raced and won in America and Europe. 2000 New Zealand Horse of the Year Nigel Craig 1969Protector PipetreHoghland Kilt 1977 26 wins from 80 starts No Response 1971 Hodgen's Surprise Cordsworth Ripcord - - 1978 1981 1979 1979 New Zealand Horse of the Year, 24 wins from 60 starts Petite Evander 1970 Great Evander Thearle (NZ) Light Brigade 47 wins (21 in NZ, 26 in America and Europe) from 184 starts worldwide and over $800,000 stakes Ordeal 1951 Light Brigade (US) Arizona (NZ) U Scott (USA) 1960 1961 17 wins from 47 starts Pride Of Petite1987 Royal Prestige Petite Evander Great Evander1996 199735 wins from 142 startsTake A Moment 1995 Armbro Invasion (NZ) Nakura (NZ) Jet D'Emeraude 2001 2002 2003 2002 2003 2001 2001 2003 2003 New Zealand Horse of the Year, 39 wins from 67 starts
Prominent people
The following are some notable people in New Zealand harness racing history: