2025 HRNZ annual awards – Voting Breakdown

Some unanimous decisions, some close calls and some surprising results – that’s how voting ended up for the annual NZB Standardbred Harness Racing New Zealand awards.

The awards dinner was held on January 31 at Addington Raceway. Until now  the voting for the “Top Horse Contenders” has been kept under wraps.

But,  as has become the way in recent years, all votes are being made public – and there are some interesting results.

For instance, after their epic battles on the track, Marketplace was a runaway winner in the 3YO Pacing Colt or Gelding of the Year, getting 24 votes compared to Got the Chocolates’ one.

Other good head-to-heads were in the 5YO Entire or Gelding of the Year. Bet N Win got 13 votes ahead of Cup week star Gus (10) in the Trotters category while Republican Party got 18 votes in the Pacing category, with Leap To Fame next on seven.

Republican Party then beat New Zealand Cup champion Kingman for Pacer of the Year on his way to winning Horse of the Year with 18 votes, well clear of Gus (2), Kingman (2), Marketplace (2) and Leap To Fame (1).

From Harness Racing New Zealand