The Dominion is a horse race held at the Addington Raceway each year in Christchurch, New Zealand for standardbred trotters.
The race is run in November over a distance of 3200m on the Friday of New Zealand Cup week. It is on the same day as the New Zealand Free For All.
It is one of the major harness races for trotters rather than pacers, and is considered to be the trotter's equivalent of the New Zealand Trotting Cup. Another similar race is the Rowe Cup races at Alexandra Park, Auckland.
Records Most wins: 3 - Lyell Creek (1999, 2000, 2004) 3 - Sundees Son (2020-22) 3 - Take A Moment (2001, 2002: dead heat with Martina H, 2003)
Most wins by a driver: 8 - Anthony Butt (1987, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011) 4 - J Bryce (1916, 1919, 1928, 1929) 3 - Maurice Holmes (1932, 1954, 1955) 3 - Ricky May (1998, 2010, 2016) 3 - John Dunn (2020, 2021, 2022)
Race results
The following are results of the Dominion Handicap:
Year Horse Hcp Owner(s) Driver Time Second Third 2025GusfrR A PatrickPete McMullen4:04.1Mr Love Oscar Bonavena2024Just Believe fr Iona Trotter SyndicateGreg Sugars4:04.30Mighty LoganOscar Bonavena2023Oscar Bonaveno fr Mark Purdon, C J RyderMark Purdon4:09.50Smokin BandarResolve2022Sundees Sonfr Colin & Nancy Hairhttps://www.hrnz.co.nz/news/vale-colin-hair/John Dunn 3:58.40 Muscle MountainFive Wise Men 2021 Sundees Son fr Colin & Nancy Hair John Dunn 3:56.6 Mataderos Bolt For Brilliance 2020 Sundees Son fr Colin & Nancy Hair John Dunn 4:00.5Majestic Man Tough Monarch 2019 Habibi Inta fr Julie Maghzal Blair Orange 4:02.1 Tough MonarchMonty Python2018 Marcoola fr K B Ford, C B Ford Clint Ford 4:08:0 Kyvalley Blur Lemond2017 Armaretto Sun fr K B Ford, Mrs D H Ford Sheree Tomlinson 4:04.7 The Foot TapperMonty Python2016 Monbet fr Greg Hope, Nina Hope, M J Molloy Ricky May 4:00.7 Quite A Moment Kyvalley Blur 2015 Master Lavros fr Kypros Kotzikas Mark Jones 4:05.9Alley Way Sheemon2014 Jaccka Justy fr CF Smaill, AG Smaill Johnny Cox 4:05.2Sheemon Kincaslough2013 Master Lavros fr Kypros Kotzikas Mark Jones 4:05.1 StigStent2012 I Can Doosit fr Breckon Racing Syndicate Mark Purdon 4:04.0Stig The Fiery Ginga2011 Vulcan fr Mrs J A Butt, D J McKenzie Anthony Butt 4:06.3Dr Hook Clover Don2010 Stylish Monach fr Mrs A C Patterson Ricky May 4:02.9 I Can DoositThe Fat Controller2009 Springbank Richard fr R A & Mrs D J SmithN P Williamson 4:06.7Sovereignty Houdini Star2008 Stig fr T G Butt, Mrs A Butt, J S Boyd, R G Thomas David Butt 4:06.4Roydon Flash Idid It Myway2007 Mountbatten fr Foxtrot Synd/P G Darby/K F Schmack/Mrs B M Hickman Anthony Butt 4:07.6 Houdini StarBraig2006 Whatsundermykilt fr Mrs C L Smith/Mrs P A Fairbairn/G H Morris/T W WelhamShane Walkinshaw 4:08.9One Over Kenny Jasmyn's Gift 2005 Pompallier fr Mrs J L Brosnan, Mrs M M Gibson Colin De Filippi 4:10.5 Major DecisionJasmyn's Gift 2004 Lyell Creek 10 m Mrs K L Butt, G A V Bruton, The Creek Syndicate Anthony Butt 4:08.9Castleton's Mission Play On 2003 Take A Moment 15 m Long Drive Syndicate Anthony Butt 4:05.5Last Link Allegro Agitato 2002 Martina H Take A Moment (dead heat)fr K D Marr, Mrs K Seu, S L Herewini, I D Malcolm (Martina H) Long Drive Syndicate (Take A Moment) Derek Balle Anthony Butt 4:08.5 - Special Force 2001 Take A Moment 10 m Long Drive Syndicate Anthony Butt 4:09.6 Major DecisionParamount Jack 2000 Lyell Creek 15 m A M Butt, G A V Bruton Anthony Butt 4:06.1Frugal Echo McGrady 1999 Lyell Creek fr G A V Bruton Anthony Butt 4:14.4Sundowner Bay Andrew Eyre 1998 Cedar Fella fr Cherokee Syndicate Ricky May 4:08.1 Sundon's WayAfrica 1997 Merinai fr N R Baker James Stormont 4:11.1Buster Hanover Wagon Apollo 1996 Chiola Cola fr D N Hayes, H Horowitz, Mrs I T Horowitz Shane Hayes 4:08.6Pride Of Petite Diedre's Pride 1995 Call Me Now 10 m G J Nairn, P C Nairn, Mrs H H Pope, R G H Thomson David Butt 4:05.7Eastburn Grant Chiola Cola 1994 David Moss 15 m Est H W Cox, O Andersen Maurice McKendry 4:06.6Call Me Now Breton Abbe 1993 David Moss 10 m Est H W Cox, O Andersen Robert Cameron 4:12.1 Diamond FieldGame Paul 1992 Directorship 10 m Classic Nine Syndicate Tony Herlihy 4:12.2 Rosie O'GradyStaka Pride 1991 William Dee fr Glenn P Curach, Kevin J O'Gorman, Tony G Garelja, Eamon P Green John Langdon 4:16.2 Gee du JourDirectorship 1990 Sundon fr Sir Roy McKenzie Peter Jones 4:12.8Game Paul William Dee 1989 Tobago fr R H Jenkins, Mrs D E Kean Henry Skinner 4:08.4 DirectorshipTroppo 1988 Landora's Pride10 m C T Allingham, Mrs V M Allingham John Langdon 4:12.8Tussle Melvander 1987 Simon Katz fr R S Francis, P Rae Anthony Butt 4:15.0Tyron Scottie Landora's Pride 1986 Tussle 10 m Dr C H G Irvine Peter Jones 4:13.8Jenner Melvander 1985 Admiral Soanai fr J McGill Brian Gleeson 4:14.1 JennerTussle 1984 Basil Dean fr R L Jamison & T P Newton Kerry O'Reilly 4:12.9 Cal BrydonJenner 1983 Scotch Notch 10 m J Wong Graeme Lang 4:17.0 Sir CastletonBasil Dean 1982 Cal Brydon fr Gordon R & B Newberry Gordon R Newberry 4:14.6 Thriller DeeSir Castleton 1981 Stormy Morn10 m P G Moore Tony Perucich 4:20.5 Game Way About Now 1980 Scotch Tar 10 m A W Dykman Albert W (Slim) Dykman 4:16.6 Stormy Morn Game WayNo Response (dead heat) 1979 Alias Armbro fr B W Crofts & G E Pilkington M R De Filippi 4:12.3 Even Speed About Now 1978 Scotch Tar fr A W Dykman R M Cameron 4:11.6 Spartan PrinceFramalda 1977 Nigel Craig fr B L & W L Heron B L Heron 4:15.6 Best Bet Waipounamu 1976 Armbro Lady fr R E & S T Webster K D Townley 4:17.3 Nigel CraigDupreez 1975 Hal Good 10m A Chesmar Denis Nyhan 4:20.5Easton Light Cee Ar 1974 Easton Light 30m E R & Mrs T R Running B M Running 4:13.1 Darky ForbesEdis Nova 1973 Philemon 20m W A Strachan & G R Taverner Jack Smolenski 4:20.5 Batchelor TomEaston Light 1972 Easton Light fr E R & Mrs T R Running B M Running 4:20.4 PrecociousBlack Frost 1971 Precocious fr A H Carmichael J A Carmichael 4:18.4Merrin Easton Light 1970 Johnny Gee 18 yds Wes Butt Wes Butt 4:08.2Tony Bear Precocious 1969 Tutira 12 yds D H Butcher J P Baker 4:21.0Tony Bear Briganelli 1968 Logan Count 12 yds E A Clark Leicester R Clark 4:18.2Inferno Markalan 1967 French Pass fr Roy McKenzie Charlie Hunter 4:30.0 1966 Tronso fr C R Berkett Felix Newfield 4:20.6 1965 Mighty Chief fr L R Clark Doody Townley 4:25.0 1964 Flaming Way 12 yds J Wilson A K Holmes 4:21.0 1963 Min Scott 12 yds Mrs G N Hunter Charlie Hunter 4:18.8 1962 Spinster Scott fr A A McCormick R J Jones 4:19.8 1961 Au Fait 36 yds J McKay R Young 4:15.8 1960 Ordeal 12 yds Mrs L M & W A Bradley Free Holmes 4:17.4 1959 Annual Report 12 yds N Simpson A M Purdon 4:19.2 1958 Durbin Chief 36 yds Mrs M F Collins, E Walsh & J R Woodcock W P Walsh 4:17.6 1957 Durbin Chief fr Mrs M F Collins, E Walsh & J R Woodcock W P Walsh 4:24.0 1956 Cabra fr P J Burke & A A Matheson J Walsh 4:25.8 1955 Recruit 36 yds J J Rooney Maurice Holmes 4.22:6 1954 Fair Isle 24 yds V Alborn & E J August Maurice Holmes 4:18.6 1953 Vodka 6 yds J S Shaw J S Shaw 4.:23.6 1952 Precaution fr A Holmes & J Shelly J McLennan jnr 4:21.0 1951 Barrier Reef 36 yds Mrs M Rice D G Jones 4:18.4 1950 Dictation 12 yds J Wilson J Wilson 4:16.4 1949 Acclamation 12 yds A M & R J Bruce R Young 4:27.4 1948 Great Venture 12 yds J T Taylor S A Edwards 4:27.6 1947 Hidden Note fr D Stormont & M Stewart D C Watts 4:30.4 1946 Casablanca fr S T Webster J B Pringle 4:31.4 1945 Fantom 36 yds J R McKenzie G B Noble 4:28.4 1944 Lady Scott fr Miss J & A F C Rushton A Butterfield 4:36.8 1944 Will Cary fr H M Allen G McKendry 4:36.8 1943 Bomber fr F E Graham W J Doyle 4:30.8 1942 Margin 72 yds W Fairbairn G Cameron 4:26.8 1941 Peggoty 12 yds R H Butterick R H Butterick 4:30.6 1940 Tan John fr W E Stickings R Donald 4:31.2 1939 Royal Romance fr V Alborn V Alborn 4:27.0 1938 Pilot Peter fr P J Andrews R B Berry 4:27.0 1937 Waikato Prince 36 yds J Bryce J Bryce jnr 4:31.0 1936 Norma Bingen 24 yds F Doherty D C Watts 4:28.2 1935 Sea Gift 36 yds Archer & McFarlane E J Smith 3:34.4 1934 Trampfast 36 yds W T Lowe R B Berry 3:15.4 1933 Huon Voyage 60 yds F B Macfarlane L O Thomas 4:32.6 1932 Wrackler 60 yds Durbar Lodge Ltd Maurice Holmes 4:26.2 1931 Olive Nelson fr J R Simpson J R Simpson 4:33.0 1930 Writer fr C P Cameron R Donald 4:35.2 1929 Western Voyage fr M O'Brien J Bryce 4.35.8 1928 Moneyspider 60 yds J Bryce J Bryce 4.30.8 1927 Elzear 24 yds G J Barton J McLennan 4.41.4 1926 Peterwah 72 yds R C Fisken R C Fisken 4.30.4 1925 Napland 12 yds G J Barton W J Tomkinson 4.40.8 1924 Nikora 48 yds F Monk F Monk 4.34.2 1923 Native King fr Mrs G Watkins R Pollock 4.37.2 1922 Effie Bingen fr J Hardy J McLennan 4.42.2 1921 Wild Lad 12 secs R C Fisken R C Fisken 4.37.6 1920 Gold Boy 7 secs T Roe T Roe 4.39.0 1919 Whisht 5 secs J R Corrigan J Bryce 4.39.0 1918 Whispering Willie 5 secs C Allington G B Murfitt 4.43.0 1917 Olive L 10 secs Mrs J Lawrence E Berry 4.39.6 1916 Whispering Willie fr C Allington J Bryce 4.45.4 1915 Michael Galindo 7 secs C Tasker C Tasker 4.42.2 1914 Electrocute 7 secs J Leslie J Wright 4.44.0 1913 Michael Galindo 12 secs C Tasker J Tasker 4.47.2 1912 Master Raymond 10 secs J Clarke R Allen 4.52.2 1911 Quincey 2 secs S W Scott S W Scott 4.37.4
See also Harness racing Harness racing in New Zealand
Other major races Rowe Cup Auckland Trotting Cup New Zealand Trotting Cup Great Northern Derby Noel J Taylor Mile New Zealand Messenger Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Inter Dominion Trotting Championship
References