The winner of 25 races, including eight in New Zealand, has retired and will spend his post-racing life with trainer/driver Gavin Smith.
The decision to take time off his racing days was made after finishing 12th in the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at Addington during Cup week and eighth at the Green Mile at Methven in November.
“There were signs of wear and tear,” says breeder Lex Williams, “and Gav wanted a riding horse, so it’s a great result.”
“A scintigraphy (scans) showed that his knees were not good and while we tried the water walker and swam here, he just wasn’t racing as well as he could,” says Smith.
“The welfare of the horse always came first”
Smith initially had reservations about how the now eight-year-old gelding would adapt to his new life.
“He’s always been a bit of a firecracker,” Smith says.
In December he was sent to Chanelle Dickie to be retrained as a saddler. She is a well-known figure in Canterbury equestrian circles and is part of HRNZ’s Hero program (Harness Education and Rehoming Opportunities).
“After a few days she said you can pick it up now and it’s perfect, as good as gold,” says Smith.
“He has been a gentleman and loves it.”
“I was looking for a horse to go riding with my wife (and vet Alisa). She loves riding as a way to relax and I always intended to do the same.”
By Angus Hall from Williams’ million-earner One Over Kenny, One Over All started and ended his career with Smith.
“If you had told me as a yearling or two-year-old that he would win almost half a million dollars, I would have laughed and said you were crazy,” Smith says.
It was tough in the early days.
“He was difficult to raise, he always ran away in the cart and he just wanted to go fast.”
Smith recorded a total of eight victories with him, including three Group 3 victories in Addington, Invercargill and Omakau.
In between, One Over All raced in Australia and took 17 wins between 2021 and 2024 for Smith’s great friends Greg Sugars and Jess Tubbs.
Williams’ biggest thrill was seeing One Over All and his half-brother Ultimate Stride quinella in the 2023 Group 3 Bendigo Trotters Cup.
Williams bred them both.
“They had a real fight and Stride hit him with a nostril.”
Another major factor in Smith keeping the horse has to do with Sugars’ shock death in Sydney last April.
“Our connection with Greg meant it felt good that One Over All’s story with us didn’t end with his racing career.”
One about everything:
96 starts (2021-24)
25 wins
Revenue $462,091
Best time: 2.24.5 (MR: 1.57.4) Addington 07/02/2025.
Through Dave Di Sommafor Harness News Desk
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