The second annual Woodlands Stud combined Canterbury Awards ceremony was held in the Silks Lounge at Addington Raceway on Saturday 5 September 2015. These awards saw branches of the Canterbury Trainers and Drivers, Standardbred Breeders and Owners Associations join forces to honour many of the local industry’s high achievers. The area covered is the South Island from the Waitaki River north. The Addington Harness Hall of Fame made available four sets of colours for display at the awards ceremony.
Master of Ceremonies for the evening’s proceedings was local resident race caller Mark McNamara. Unlike traditional Award ceremonies where the leading performers (those that topped premierships or amassed most stake earnings for the latest season) are rewarded, these awards focussed more on those who whose seasonal achievements merited recognition whilst not necessarily at the top of their respective category.
The Outstanding Contribution to Canterbury Harness Racing Award for 2015 went to Tony Abell. Tony’s achievements over more than 40 years administrative service to the industry are too numerous to mention but include being made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit;, early involvement with NZ Standardbred Breeders Association; steward and committeeman, Vice President and President of New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club; the Met club’s representative on the NZ Sires’ Stakes Board; New Zealand delegate to the Inter Dominion Harness Racing Council, Treasurer, Vice President, Chairman, then immediate past chairman of Council; patron of Canterbury Owners and Trainers’ Association; received national Award For Harness Racing Contribution Excellence. In addition, his ability to breed, rear and train outstanding racehorses (Kotare Legend was runner-up in a New Zealand Cup) at his Kotare Downs Stud that he has operated for more than 40 years at Rangiora in North Canterbury should not be overlooked.
A full list of Award winners follows :
Canterbury Amateur Drivers Association Amateur Drivers Champion : JOHN MCDERMOTT. Prebbleton licensed to train trainer (32 career wins including 5 last season) and amateur driver (3 winners over past 7 seasons)
NZ Cup Week Golf Most Winning Canterbury Owner of Trotters: KEVIN GARDNER AND ROB SHAW
Nevele R Stud Pacing Breeder of the Year: JIM AND SUSAN WAKEFIELD, multiple successes over many years
Stevie Golding Junior Driver’s Award: ROBBIE CLOSE, winner of 2015 New Zealand and Australasian Young Drivers Championships, joint 2014/5 NZ Junior Drivers champion (42 wins) with Stevie Golding, brought up 100th career driving success during latest season
NZ Cup Week Golf Most Winning Canterbury Owners of Pacers: LIN LANG
Prodigal Seelster Pacing Broodmare of the Year: REBECCA AND JOHN MOONEY : LUCINDA MIDFREW, dam of Libertybelle Midfrew (winner 2014 WA Golden Nugget, 2015 WA Breeders Stakes during latest season) and Lucasta Midfrew, dam of Eyre Crusher 2014 WA Derby heat winner
Dexter Dunn Driver’s Award: TIM WILLIAMS, attached to powerful Purdon/Rasmussen stable, driver of 3yo c&g of year Have Faith In Me (NZ/GN Derby, NZSS – 3c, Jewels – Emerald)
Canterbury Trotting Owners Association Canterbury Harness Racing Owners of the Year: PHIL AND GKENYS KENNARD, multiple winning horses during latest season
The Pres Trotting Breeder/s of the Year: TREVOR CASEY (92 winners Australasia wide many of which he bred during latest season) AND MICHAEL AND JANICE BOWDEN – joint breeders of Stent
Natalie Rasmussen & Mark Purdon Trainer’s Award: GREG AND NINA HOPE, finished in the top three in 2014/5 NZ trainers premiership for the first time with 71 winners trained (many driven by Ricky May – 39). Trained 373 winners in partnership since 2000/1 season
Stallions Australasia Trotting Broodmare of the Year: BELLE GALLEON, trotting mare dam of Australasian Grand Circuit champion Stent, My Ayra (NSW/VIC Oaks during past season) and Belles Son (NZSS – Aged Trotters Classic)
Woodlands Stud Outstanding Contribution to Canterbury Harness Racing 2015: TONY ABELL
Peter Craig
6 September 2015
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
