After becoming the Southern Hemisphere’s first $5 million pacer last year, the Queensland superstar made it a hat-trick of wins after being crowned Horse of the Year in 2023 and 2024.
He joins King Of Swing (2020, ’21 and ’22), Im Themightyquinn (2011, ’12 and ’13), Blacks A Fake (2007, ’08 and ’10), Our Sir Vancelot (1997, ’98 and ’99) and Westburn Grant (1989, ’91 and ’92)) as the only three-time winners.
Unsurprisingly, he was also named the Australian Pacer of the Year, Aged Pacing Horse/Gelding of the Year and the Australian Grand Circuit Champion.
Leap To Fame (Bettors Delight USA – Lettucereason) raced 22 times last year and posted an incredible record of 16-5-1, including record-breaking prize money of $1,758,424.
A second Inter Dominion crown highlighted his victories, which also included the $1 Million Race by Betcha in Cambridge and the Group 1 New Zealand Pacing Free-For-All.
The son of Bettors Delight also placed in the Hunter Cup, Miracle Mile, New Zealand Cup, Victoria Cup and Blacks A Fake.
The Australian Trotter of the Year came all the way, with Inter Dominion winner Arcee Phoenix narrowly edging out Keayang Zahara.
The Chris Svanosio-trained gelding took his stakes past the $1 million mark last year when he finished with a 6-2-3 record from 16 starts, including the $600,000 TAB Trot in Cambridge and the Group 1 Maori Mile in Bendigo.
Arcee Phonex (Trixton US – Justa Phoenix) was also named Aged Trotter Horse/Gelding of the Year and Australian Trotting Masters Champion.
While Keayang Zahara missed out on the grand trotting prize, she was unanimously chosen for the Aged Trotting Mare of the Year.
The JD Watts Award for leading Australian driver went to Victorian youngster James Herbertson on a consecutive occasion, while Queensland’s Grant Dixon also went back-to-back as the leading Australian trainer.
It’s the 10th time Dixon has captured the JD Watts Award since 2012, while his father, Bill, also earned a four-peat from 2008 to 2011.
HRA will make further announcements about the winners of the breeding prizes tomorrow.
The 2025 Australian Harness Racing Award winners are:
LAWN DERBY PRIZES – PACERS
Australian Pacer of the Year – Leap To Fame
2YO Pacing Filly of the Year – Wishing Belle
2YO Pacing colt/gelding of the year – Loucasso
3YO Pacing Filly of the Year – Soho Americano
3YO Pacing colt/gelding of the year – Fox Dan
Old pacing horse/gelding of the year – Leap To Fame
Old pacing mare of the year – Eye Keep Smiling
VANCLEVE PRIZES – TROTTERS
Australian Trotter of the Year – Arcee Phoenix
2YO Trotting Filly of the Year – Harperseven
2YO trotting foal/gelding of the year – Keayang Bazlenka
3YO Trotting Filly of the Year – Tracy The Jet
3YO trotting foal/gelding of the year – Mecarno
Old trotting horse/gelding of the year – Arcee Phoenix
Old trotting mare of the year – Keayang Zahara
JD WATTS PRIZES
Australian Driver of the Year – James Herbertson
Australian Coach of the Year – Grant Dixon
Through Adam Hamiltonfor Harness Racing Australia
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