Down Under horses filling North American fields

Harness racing horses exported from New Zealand and Australia are starting to make a decent impact on fields carded in North America.

At Yonkers last night in Race 8 the whole field was made up of Down Under pacers.

This is a scenario repeating again on Monday night at Yonkers as well.

Already at most meetings in North America it is rare to see a day or night of racing without New Zealand bred horses popping up somewhere in the card.

New Zealand bred horses have raced exceptionally well against the best North America has to offer, evidenced by the likes of Shartin (Tintin In America) who became the fastest mare in history winning in 1:46.4 and also winning the 2019 USA Dan Patch Harness Horse of the Year.

Christen Me, Lazarus, Bit Of A Legend and a slew of others have graced the finest fields on North American soil and plenty of others are currently putting their hands up in the Open handicap harness racing ranks.

Fortunately the North American standardbred market is accommodating to New Zealand horses that have reached their mark, or have shown the potential to suit mile racing on bigger tracks. Over the last few years the list of New Zealand and Australian winners overseas keeps growing and growing.

This export market has been a real blessing for New Zealand Owners and Breeders as without it their financial situations would be career ending in many cases. It is one of the few ways that the Owners actually get a real return on their investments and it allows them to keep breeding and buying Yearlings at the Sales to keep trainers in business, because without the Owners there would be NO trainers.

Covid 19 and the inherent problems associated with travel for horses and owners will possibly have an impact on sales of horses overseas, but thankfully the North American market will still be available to New Zealand owners looking for somewhere to place their horses.

Harnesslink Media