The Southern traveller

Southland junior driver Mark Hurrell is one of the most travelled junior harness racing drivers in the country, getting up there with Sarah O’Reilly.

In his push to drive more winners, he’s always ready to jump in his car or catch a flight. That determination has seen him win races in Auckland and Canterbury, and he’s certainly one of the movers in the young driving ranks. 

“As a young fella you have to travel to get your opportunities. I’m not afraid to go as far as I need to. Auckland has been good to me, and I try to get to Christchurch most weeks.  You have to chance your arm,” Hurrell said.

In his short career he’s driven one hundred and fifty two winners, his first being It Ain’t The Money at the Riverton meeting in October 2016.

In all, Mark has driven twenty one winners for Amber Hoffman, eighteen for Syd Breen and ten for Regan Todd.

Like Regan Todd and Craig Ferguson, the twenty four year old who they call Skiddy started his career with Wyndham trainer Brendon McLellan.

“I was keen from when I was a young fella. I used to go home after school and look at the fields in the newspaper. At the weekend I’d watch all the races.”

At fifteen he got his first stable experience, working at McLellan’s stable.

“I left school when I was sixteen and I’ve never looked back. I worked at Brendon’s full time for four and a half years. Before I went there, I’d never driven a horse so Snow taught me how to drive.”

He then ventured into the highly competitive Canterbury Harness Racing scene, working for Ohoka trainer Tom Bagrie for eighteen months.

“Amber Hoffman then offered me a stable driver’s job and I was there for thirteen months.”

It was on one of the trips to Auckland last month that the opportunity to drive in Australia came his way. He’d picked up the drive on Aldebaran Keepa (Kadabra) which is trained by Michelle and Bernie Hackett at Alexandra Park. The horse ran fifth in a handicap trot and was subsequently sent to Australia to compete in the Need for Speed Series at Melton. He drove, and the filly ran fourth in it’s heat.

“It was a bit of a shame In the final. She made a mistake and didn’t take any part. It was good to have a drive at Melton because it’s a great track and hopefully it’s not the last time I can go over to Aussie.”

Hurrell says he has great support from his mother and father.

“They love racing and watch every race I’m in, and hopefully I can drive more winners for them.”

Local driver and trainer Craig Ferguson has also been a mentor.

“He was at Snows when I was there, and we’ve been mates ever since. He’s not afraid of giving me some advice or criticism and I ended up coming back and working for him. He’s been a good boss as well.” 

Hurrell has also had great support from Gore based seed merchants Kubala Seeds.

“Peter looks after me and gives me all my gear. He’s real passionate for the racing game.”

Hurrell says the rewards are there for junior drivers but hard work is required.

“It hard when you’re starting out. You’re a nobody and you’ve got to work hard to get your name out there. I’ve been lucky enough to have had good support in the last couple of years from some good trainers. You have to stick at it and eventually if you work hard enough things will come your way.”

Although it’s not on his immediate radar Hurrell says training a few horses could be a possibility in the future.

“When I finish as a junior (July 2023) I’ll look at having a couple of horses of my own to muck around with.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink