30 May 2024 | RQ Media
Ten of the world’s best harness drivers will battle it out to be crowned the Ultimate Driver in an exhilarating new slot racing series at Albion Park.
The Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship will see 10 drivers compete in a 20-race series across two feature nights at the Creek in February 2025, with over $250,000 in prize money on offer.
The unique series will see slot holders pick both the drivers and horses to compete in the slots across the 20 races.
Of the 10 slots, nine will be available to purchase for $20,000 each, with Championship sponsor Ladbrokes to fill the remaining slot.
Syndicates, businesses or individuals will be eligible to apply for slots, with a selection panel made up of RQ and Albion Park Harness Racing Club representatives to determine slot holders in line with the selection criteria should there be more applicants than slots available.
Applications for slots close July 31, 2024.
Once they secure a slot, holders are free to negotiate with leading drivers either in Australia or overseas, and will then be able to chose which horse their driver is partnered with via a draft.
Slot holders will receive points throughout the 20 races based on finishing position, with the slot holder/driver who accrues the most points declared the winner.
The overall Ultimate Driver and their slot holder will receive $100,000, with the winner of each race to receive $1,000 per race victory.
RQ CEO Jason Scott said the new series was already attracting interest from the global harness racing industry.
“The Ultimate Driver series will not only be the quest to find the world’s number one driver, but will also be a game of strategy and a chance to win big with over $250,000 up for grabs,” Scott said.
“We are encouraging as many people as possible to get involved and apply for slots, with preference to be given to applications from syndicates and those that provide promotional value to both the event and the Queensland racing industry.
“This series will be a great way to showcase the best drivers in the world right here in our own backyard at Albion Park.”
Albion Park HRC Chairman Brad Steele said he was excited for The Creek to partner with RQ and Ladbrokes for the exhilarating new series.
“The Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship is an innovative, exciting concept that will be engaging to all our stakeholders,” Mr Steele said.
“The Club looks forward to putting on one hell of a show for all harness racing enthusiasts across the globe.”
The series has already received glowing praise from some of the top drivers from around the globe, including Hall of Fame reinsman Tim Tetrick and two-time World Driving Champion Jody Jamieson.
Tetrick, who has driven over 13,000 winners and is one of only three drivers with career stakes earnings over $250 million, expressed his support.
“I absolutely love the concept of the Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship – this type of innovation brings energy and excitement to reward our fans and fellow horse lovers,” Tetrick said.
“What a fantastic way to add interest to the sport of harness racing on a global level.”
Jamieson has racked up over 7,000 winners and is the driver of Captain Quarters, the top-ranked horse leading into the $1 million North America Cup on June 15 at Mohawk Park in Canada.
He echoed Tetrick’s sentiments in the series helping to create new interest in the sport.
“What a great idea. This concept will bring many more eyes to harness racing,” Jamieson said.
“The Ultimate Driver has the opportunity to become the greatest show on dirt.
“It’s a very exciting event that is sure to pique the interest of drivers and racing and sporting fans not just in Australia but across the globe.”
Drivers must be an A-grade driver or equivalent, with the arrangement purely between the slot holder and the driver.
Race fields for the series will be collated in the same as any other driver series (where trainers nominate their horses without a driver assigned), while all races will be penalty free.
The draft to partner drivers with horses will be conducted as a ‘snake order draft’, with slot holders able to choose any of the available horses left across the 20 races until all drivers/slot holders are assigned to a horse in each race.
The dates for the inaugural series in February 2025 will be finalised in the coming months.
Click here for more information on the Ultimate Driver series.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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