Southland harness racing fraternity celebrate special achievements
Smokin Bandar won the Horse of the Year honour following a season where it ran second in the prestigious Group One Dominion Handicap at Addington.
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Trotter Smokin Bandar has won the Regent Car Court Horse of the Year Award at the Southland Harness Racing Awards.
A capacity crowd gathered at Ascot Park Raceway in Invercargill on Saturday evening as the Southland harness racing fraternity celebrated the achievements of the 2023 season.
Smokin Bandar won the Horse of the Year honour following a season where it ran second in the prestigious Group One Dominion Handicap at Addington.
The horse is owned by Tom and Julie Kilkelly and Shea and Holly McKenzie and is trained by Craig Ferguson of Wyndham.
Ferguson had a successful night in his own right receiving the Achievement of the Year Award after training 34 winners, 18 second placings, and eight thirds. He also drove 48 winners with a further 57 placings.
At season’s end he had the highest UDR (strike rate) in the country as a trainer.
Ferguson’s achievements as both a driver and trainer also included success in several group races.
AWARD WINNERS
Regent Car Court Horse of the Year: Smokin Bandar – owned by Tom and Julie Kilkelly, Shea and Holly McKenzie, trained by Craig Ferguson
Achievement Award: Craig Ferguson
Southern Standardbred Breeders Assn Elite Broodmare of the Year: Democrat Party – John and Katrina Price
Macca Lodge Broodmare of the Year: The Fiery Filly – Tom Kilkelly
Caduceus Club Trotter Of The Year: Dwindle Star – owned by Bev Williamson, trained by Phil Williamson
Robin Dundee Club 3YO Gelding of the Year: Captain Tom – owned by Ian and Lindsay Thomson, trained by Alister Black
Robin Dundee Club 3YO Filly of the Year: Julie Jaccka – owned by Ailsa and Charlie Smaill, trained by Brett Gray
Fastest Mile of the Year: Ruby Roe – owned by John and Katrina Price trained by Nathan Williamson
Donaghy’s Trainer of the Year: Nathan Williamson
Driver of the Year: Nathan Williamson
Junior Driver of the Year: Mark Hurrell