Duffy clocks up 300 wins

Ryan Duffy is looking ahead to bigger and better things after clocking up the 300-win harness racing milestone with Crookwell Eyes (Lawman) at Boort earlier this month.

The 28-year-old has always had his eyes firmly set on being a driver and following in the footsteps of his father, former reinsman and now trainer, Steve.

“My old man drove. He has been around it since we were little whipper-snappers,” Duffy said.

“We have been going to the trots since we were three or four, been in it for about 25 years.

“Dad trained a heap of horses. I decided after I finished my apprenticeship that I would have a go at it.”

Duffy has faced the rigorous lifestyle of being a driver head-on, including the long trips to the races and late nights.

“It’s a pretty demanding job, I think, as far as the hours you put in,” he said.

Duffy has enjoyed his fair share of success along the journey, with Sundons Courage’s victory in the 2022 Breeders Crown Graduate Trotters Free For All and Sky Petite’s triumph in the 2018 Yarra Valley Trotters Cup among his biggest moments in the sulky.

“Driving her (Sky Petite) through the Inter Dominion series (was a highlight). I think I won five or six country cups on her,” he said.

“I was very lucky and thankful for the opportunity that Noel Patterson (owner) gave me and he has actually passed away now.”

The lure of Group 1 success still drives the reinsman to be the best version of himself.

“I’ve been there and abouts in Group 1s. I think Sky Petite ran third in the Great Southern Star and was a bit stiff not to win,” he said.

“The ultimate goal is to win better races and establish yourself at the top end.”

The father of three admits that parenthood has changed his priorities.

“Before kids, you push yourself and you go and do double-headers and try and get to meetings,“ he said.

“Now I have got kids … it just changes the whole dynamic of it. I’m very lucky I have a great partner who allows me to do what I do.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Lachlan Mitchell, for Harness Racing Victoria