Herbertson ready to pack his bags for France

It’s been a whirlwind year for Australia’s leading harness racing reinsman, James Herbertson – and it’s about to get even bigger!

Herbertson will compete in France for the Prix des Recontres Internationales (International Prize) at Vincennes in December, as well as spending 10 days working alongside world-renowned horseman Jean-Michel Bazire at the stunning Domaine de Grosbois training centre.

“It’s still sinking in, but I am really looking forward to being part of it all, meeting people and learning whatever I can from being there,” Herbertson said, when his selection was announced as part of Victoria Cup night at Melton on Saturday night (Oct 12).

Appropriately, Herbertson had just picked up the sixth Group One victory of his career in the Victorian Oaks on Kiwi Coastal Babe (Downbytheseaside) when the announcement was made.

The opportunity is part of a five-year commitment between Harness Racing Australia and Harness Racing Victoria, in collaboration with the Victorian Trainers and Drivers Association and Victorian Square Trotters Association to reward a talented Victorian participant aged under 25.

He was selected by a panel of HRV personnel, media and integrity representatives and will be the second young reinsman to represent Australia in the series with all expenses paid, following in the footsteps of Ryan Sanderson in 2023.

Herbertson, who is 24, has been taking all before him in his best-ever season in the sulky, and his first Australian title seems well within reach.

He recorded 47 winners during September, and in the past week added another career milestone surpassing his previous season best (2023) of 252 – his total for 2024 is now at 269 wins, putting him 56 clear of his nearest challenger for the national title, Queenslander Pete McMullen.

“Herbie”, who puts in the hard yards crisscrossing the State and covering thousands of kilometres a week, drives at almost every track in Victoria.

“There are pretty much no days off and I probably won’t get too many off before I go (on November 21),” Herbertson said.

“I’ll try to keep the foot down until then.  I’d love to get 300 wins this season if I can and there’s still time so it’ll be pretty full on until then.  A break will be good to be honest!” he said.

“I’m absolutely looking forward to the whole experience, the racing, the stables and finding out how they do things over there.  But I’m looking forward to the touristy things too, and I’m a bit of a history buff, so I’ll enjoy all that side of it too.

“I followed Ryan when he went over there last year and was a bit jealous to be honest! So to be doing it myself this year it’s hard to your head around.

“Hopefully the weather over there won’t be too bad, but I am used to Ballarat!”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink