In another excellent season, the now seven-year-old continued to cement his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats, highlighted by two Group 1 victories in the Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Final and NZ Pacing Free-For-All.
Furthermore, a successful defense of his titles in the Group 2 Newcastle Mile and Cranbourne Cup, on top of placings in Group 1 events the Blacks A Fake, NZ Cup, Hunter Cup, Miracle Mile and Victoria Cup, ensured the pacer was once again the judges’ unanimous choice for the state’s top honour.
From 22 starts in 2025, the Grant Dixon-trained champion racked up an impressive 16 wins and six placings, along with $1,758,424 in prize money – in a year that also saw him become the highest-earning pacer in Australasian history.
In another record-setting season, he was also again named Queensland Aged Pacer of the Year and 2025 APHRC Horse of the Year, while Dixon was crowned Queensland Trainer of the Year for the third year running.
The Dixon-trained Fate Awaits won the 3YO Pacer of the Year after becoming the first three-year-old to win the Group 1 Rising Sun, contributing to his placings in the Group 1 Queensland Derby and Group 3 Redcliffe Derby, as well as competing in the world’s richest harness race, the $2.1 million Eureka.
To round off the evening for the Dixon stable, rising star Fire And Passion were named 2YO Pacer of the Year after an incredible debut season that saw eight wins from 10 starts including the Group 1 QBRED Triad Final for Colts & Geldings and Group 3 Paleface Adios Classic.
“The 2025 season was another history-making season for the Queensland harness code, highlighted by the performances of superstars Leap To Fame and Gus here at home, on the highway and abroad,” Racing Minister Tim Mander said.
“The return of the Inter Dominion Championship to Albion Park, along with the revamped Summer Carnival, the Starlights and the Ultimate Driver Championship, ensured Queensland maintained its status as one of the world’s top harness racing destinations.
“I congratulate all of tonight’s deserving winners and look forward to what is already another excellent season for the code in 2026.”
Meanwhile, Gus was crowned Trotter of the Year for the second season in a row, having recorded five wins and six placings from 13 starts, highlighted by victories in the Group 1 NZ Dominion Trot and Group 1 NZ Trotting Free-For-All.
Nathan Dawon’s excellent season in the Sulky saw him claim the Queensland Driver of the Year crown, with 266 wins and 420 placings.
Youngster Angus Garrard was named Queensland Concession Driver of the Year for the fifth season in a row, with the 22-year-old finishing third in the State Drivers Premiership standings with 187 wins – a sixth Centurion tally in as many years – in addition to his victory in the inaugural Ultimate Driver Championship.
For her work as part of the Queensland Off-The-Track Program, Giuditta Crisci was crowned Queensland Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year for a consecutive year.
Since the inception of the QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers Program in January 2022, Giuditta has successfully retrained and rehomed 40 industry standard breeds into a range of rewarding and varied post-racing career paths.
Finally, Queensland trotting pioneer Jim McNeil and leading standard stud Egmont Park Stud were unveiled as the newest inductees into the Queensland Harness Racing Hall of Fame.
“Our competitors at the pinnacle of the sport have been instrumental in the many successes we have celebrated here tonight, both on and off the track,” said acting RQ CEO Lachlan Murray.
“I would like to give Leap To Fame a special mention for another remarkable season, and it is fitting that our Queensland champion has taken home top honors for the fourth year in a row.
“There is no better time to be involved in harness racing in Queensland than now, and we have so much to look forward to for the code in 2026 and beyond, as we look forward to welcoming the Inter Dominion back later this year.”
In total, nearly 30 awards were presented during tonight’s ceremony.
2025 Queensland Harness Award Winners
- Queensland Harness Horse of the Year – Leap To Fame (Grant Dixon)
- Queensland Trotter of the Year – Gus (Chantal Turpin)
- Garrard’s Queensland Trainer of the Year – Grant Dixon
- Queensland Driver of the Year – Nathan Dawson
- Queensland filly or mare of the year – cool and stylish (Grant Dixon)
- Queensland Aged Pacer of the Year – Leap To Fame (Grant Dixon)
- Queensland 3YO Pacer of the Year – Fate Awaits (Grant Dixon)
- Queensland 2YO Pacer of the Year – Fire and Passion (Grant Dixon)
- Queensland Juvenile Trotter of the Year – Laydownluna (Matt Crone)
- Queensland Broodmare of the Year – Washington Lass
- Queensland Breeder of the Year – Solid Earth P/L
- Queensland Owner of the Year – Solid Earth P/L
- Queensland Concession Driver of the Year – Angus Garrard
- Queensland off-the-track retrainer of the year – Giuditta Crisci
National award winners
- HRA Australian Pacing Grand Circuit Champion – Leap to Fame
Albion Park Harness Racing Club
- Horse of the Year – Leap To Fame (Grant Dixon)
- Drivers’ Premiership – Pete McMullen
- Premiership for trainers – Grant Dixon
- Mini Trot Rider of the Year – Lorelei Limpus
Redcliffe Harness Racing Club
- Horse of the Year – Betting Baron (Charlie Chiang)
- Drivers’ Premiership – Nathan Dawson
- Premiership for trainers – Grant Dixon
- Mini Trotting Driver of the Year – Montana Sullivan
- Feehely Achievement Award – Dan Costello
Marburg Harness Racing Club
- Horse of the Year – Saint Louis Beat/One Last Roll/My Ultimate Rudi (tie)
- Drivers’ Premiership – Taleah McMullen
- Coach of the Year – John McMullen
- Mini Trot Rider of the Year – Lorelei Limpus
From RQ media
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