Luke O’Neil’s first treble

While Ryan Hryhorec was rewriting the harness racing record books, driving seven winners on Monday at Globe Derby.

Leading square gaiter trainer Luke O’Neil was achieving a personal milestone himself. 

With Muscle Miss, Flingandwingit, and Majestic Summer, all part of that septet of Hryhorec’s winning drives, O’Neil was instrumental in providing three of Hryhorec’s winners. 

It was O’Neil’s first treble as a trainer. “I had plenty of doubles, two winners, and a second, but this is my first treble,” he said.

Muscle Miss and Majestic Summer, two of the stars of the show, are owned and bred by New South Welshman Micheal Taylor. Taylor, a remarkable breeder of the trotter, has been a long-term client of O’Neil’s Globe Derby Stable, contributing significantly to the success O’Neil has enjoyed as a trainer of the square gaiter. 

The journey of Luke O’Neil in Harness Racing is a testament to his unwavering dedication and relentless hard work. It was ignited by his father’s association with horses trained by Len and Ross Sugars, and it was under the guidance of trainer Graham Goldsworthy that he truly refined his skills with trotters. 

O’Neill also helped leading trainer Les Harding and others like Shaun Adams and Bronte Giorgio before branching out as a trainer on his own. 

When asked about the best horse he trained, O’Neil’s response was Me And Kel, who took out the Victor Harbor, Kadina, Port Pirie, and twice victories in the Fred Jones Trotters Cups, and Lleyton H, who won the Gramel Final along with the Port Pirie Trotters Cup.

He is currently working 24 horses from his Globe Derby Stables, 18 of which are trotters. The remainder of O’Neil’s 2024 looks bright. He currently sits a clear third on the South Australian Trainers Premiership with 22 winners for the season.

by Gary Newton