The Cran and Chrissie Dalgety-trained star was lifted the top gong at the annual NZB Standardbred HRNZ awards at Addington Raceway tonight in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 300 people.
The Republican Party won nine races from sixteen starts during the year, including the Group 1 Auckland – Invercargill Cup double for the second year running.
He had previously won the 5+ Year Ruin of Entire of the Year award, beating the likes of Merlin and Leap To Fame, and was subsequently named Pacer of the Year.
Katrina and John Price (Price Bloodstock), who bred the Republican Party, were named Breeder of the Year.
The 4YO Entire/Gelding Pacer of the Year was won by all-conquering Australian visitor Kingman (Always B Miki) who won two out of two in this country: the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup and the Group 1 Christian Cullen.
Trotter of the Year was Bet N Win (What the hill). Bet N Win, trained by David and Stacey White, won six of 14 on both sides of the Tasman in 2025, culminating in victory in the Reharvest Group 1 Rowe Cup at Alexandra Park.
He was previously voted 5Y0 and over Gelding/Entire of the Year, ahead of Australian Gus who made such a big impression during Cup week with his double in the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot and the NZ Free For All on Show Day.
The 4YO category winner was one of the big players in this country’s trotting ranks in Hillbilly Blues (What the hill). He won seven of 18 in 2025, including the Group 1 Peter Breckon Memorial National Trot on New Year’s Eve at Alexandra Park.
One of the most highly anticipated categories of the night was the 3YO Colts/Entires, after Marketplace and Got The Chocolates were locked in an incredible rivalry in 2025. In 2025 they won five races each.
Ultimately it became Marktplaats (Bettor’s joy), who won the Group 1 New Zealand Pacing Derby, who got the nod.
Philip and Glenys Kennard, who are part of the Marketplace and Bet N Win ownership group, were named Owners of the Year.
Trainers of the Year Steve and Amanda Telfer (Stonewall Stud) were recognized for their record year. They reached 171 wins in 2025, surpassing the old 12-month mark set by Roy and Barry Purdon in 1993-94.
The Newcomer to Training award was won by Benjamin Butcher, who had eight winners in 2025 in what was his second season of training. He has also ridden more than 300 winners.
Blair Orange achieved its eighth consecutive Drivers’ Premiership with 168 wins, while Wilson House (94 wins) achieved its first in the Junior Drivers’ Premiership and Monika Ranger won the award for having the best success rate of all junior drivers. She finished 2025 with 23 wins from 129 rides and a UDR of .2980.
Cadet of the Year went to Southlander Riley Black ahead of Stonewall Stud stable rider Nikita Burton, while Bailey Anderson was named Stablehand of the Year and the year’s Unsung Hero and Outstanding Contribution awards went to Richard Bromley and industry heavyweights Ken and Karen Breckon.
The Moment of the Year, which was decided by public vote, went to Jim Curtin for winning his 100th race at Westport’s Patterson Park with Transtasman Bubble on Boxing Day.
The full list of winners is
Emblems New Zealand Ltd 2YO trotting filly of the year – Duchess Maria (Father Patrick)
Dunstan Horse Feeds 2YO Pacing Filly of the Year – All from me (On the coast)
Clarkson signs 2YO Trotting Colt or Gelding of the Year – Kyvalley Ray (Fat eagle)
Tire General 2YO Pacing Colt or Gelding of the Year – God (On the coast)
Gavelhouse Newcomer in training – Benjamin Butcher
OnTrack 3YO trotting filly of the year – Yes Rite Darl (What the hill)
Harnesslink 3YO Pacing Filly of the Year – Arafura (Dear Lou)
thetrots.nz 3YO trotting colt or gelding of the year – Meant to be (Father Patrick)
Majestic Horse Drives 3YO Pacing Colt or Gelding of the Year – Marketplace (Bettor’s joy)
Leading UDR Junior Driver – Monika Ranger
Garrards Horse and Hound 4YO Trotting Mare of the Year – Princess Sadie (Muscle mass)
Breckon Farms 4YO Pacing Mare of the Year – French (Vincent)
Hotel Montreal 4YO trotting whole or gelding of the year – Hillbilly blues (What the hill)
Owns the Thrill 4YO Pacing entirely or gelding of the year – Kingman (Always B Miki)
Next Generation Stable Hand of the Year – Bailey Anderson
Roseland Racing 5YO and older trotting mare of the year – I dream of Jean-
NO (Pegasus Spur)
Kentuckiana Lodge 5YO and older pacer mare of the year – Lakelsa (Captain Treacherous)
The NZ Horse Ambulance Trust 5YO and over trot whole or gelding of the year – Bet N Win (What the hill)
Woodlands Stud 5YO and older Pacing Entire or Gelding of the Year – Republican Party (Bettor’s joy)
Happy Hire Best moment of the season – Jim Curtin wins his 100e Westport Race
HERO Outstanding Contribution to Life After Racing – Elizabeth Chappell
The trotting broodmare of the breeders’ year – Kylie Ree
The Breeders Pacing Broodmare of the Year – Imaginary bet
Haras des Trotteurs Trotting Stallion of the Year – What the hill
Auckland Trotting Club Pacing Stallion of the Year – Gambler’s Delight (14e year)
The Breeders Breeder of the Year – John and Katrina Price
Addington Raceway Owner of the Year – Philip & Glenys Kennard
Fiber Fresh Cadet of the Year Second place – Nikita Burton
Southern Harness Leading Junior Driver – Wilson House
Fiber Fresh Cadet of the Year – Riley Black
TAB Leading Driver – Blair Orange
The Commodore Hotel Leading Trainer – Steve and Amanda Telfer
hrnz.co.nz Media Award – John Curtin
NZB Standard bred trotter of the year – Bet N Win (What the hill)
Diamond Racing Pacer of the Year – Republican Party (Bettor’s joy)
Club merit awards Chris Pearce, Dianne Dynes, Michael Douglas, Leona Prendergast, Ashburton Trotting Club and Winton Harness Racing Club
Harness Racing NZ Unsung Hero – Richard Bromley
Harness Racing NZ Outstanding Contribution to Harness Racing – Ken and Karen Breckon
NZB Standard Horse of the Year – Republican Party (Bettor’s joy)
Through Bruce Stewartfor Harnesslink
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