Nathan’s 1000 winners

Southland harness racing driver Nathan Williamson reached a milestone few reach in their driving career – 1000 winners.

The win came in his very first drive at the Riverton meeting today when Janaka’s Delight (Bettor’s Delight) trotted all the way to win the Bill Keast Memorial Trot. Trained by his good mate Brett Gray the three year old filly that was born to be a pacer beat stablemate Julie Jaccka (Father Patrick) by half a neck.

Mum Bev was on-course with no horses to look after while Nathan’s wife Katie and his two young children were also on hand to help celebrate this great achievement.

“It’s been a long time coming and I’d like to thank all the trainers, follow drivers and owners. It’s a big thrill,” he said when both the Riverton Trotting Club and Southern Harness presented him with gifts to celebrate the feat.

In his presentation speech Williamson thanked his father Phil for providing a great start to his driving career.

“He was great for starters. When I first started I was driving down here a lot and that was a lot behind the move to head south. I’m thankful to the people of Southland for giving me all the opportunities.”

In a show of respect and unity follow horseman donned T-Shirt with his name, 1000 wins and GOAT screen printed in the front.

“We’re one big family all of us racing folk down here and that’s why Southland is so special.” 

JANAKA’S DELIGHT RREPLAY

Reinsman Tony Herlihy and Clark Barron who have also driven 1000 winners also made speeches congratulating Williamson on the four figure feat.

Herlihy suggested the second 1000 is lot easier while Barron said he retired from driving once he hit the magic number. Someone in the presentation quipped that Williamson probably couldn’t afford to which drew laughter.

Williamson’s first winner was Brooker (Gee Whiz II) trained by his father at Forbury Park in August 2005. His best season as a driver was in 2016 when he reined 100 winners.  

He’s driven two Group One winners – Jasmyn’s Gift in the 2006 NZ Trotting FFA and Springbank Richard (Sundon) in the 2009 Dominion Handicap. Springbank Richard has been his biggest winner, taking out 20 races. All up he’s driven sixteen group winners.

Williamson won the Southland Junior Drivers premiership in 2009 and 2010. He’s won the Southland Driver premiership fourteen consecutive years 2009 to 2022.

Outside of his own stable drives he’s driven ninety seven winners for his father, fifty seven for Brent Shirley and forty seven for Roger, Katrina and John Price collectively.

He joins another Southland reinsman Clark Barron who was the first Southland based driver to reach 1,000 wins. 

Nathan and Matty Williamson are the fourth set of brothers to drive 1,000 winners. Other siblings to achieve the feat are Mike and Colin De Filippi, Dexter and John Dunn and Clark and Ken Barron.

Nathan’s 1000 fact sheet:

First winner: Brooker (Gee Whiz II) 18th August 2005 at Forbury Park.

100th winner: Waihemo Cullen (Christian Cullen) – Cromwell 7/01/2008

500th winner: Splash Cola (Sundon) – Invercargill 24/01/2015

1000th winner: Janaka’s Delight (Bettor’s Delight) – Invercargill 12/02/2023

Trainers for whom he’s driven winners: Own (307), Phil Williamson (97), Brent Shirley (57), Katrina, Roger and John Price (47) and Brett Gray (34).

Pacing winners: 637

Trotting winners: 361

Biggest winner: Springbank Richard 63-20-7-4.

Best season (winners and stakes): 2016 – 591-100-74-59 $719,327 UDR .2720

Most driving wins in one day: (5) Riverton Trotting Club 4th March 2022 (at Winton) Afterburner, Watchlist, Charlie P, Sand Wave and Lincoln Skipper. 

Listed winners:

• 2006 Ordeal Trotting Cup (Jasmyn’s Gift)
• 2007 Three Year Old Ruby (Springbank Richard)
• 2008 4 year old Ruby (Springbank Richard)
• 2009 Ordeal Trotting Cup (Springbank Richard)
• 2011 4 year old Trotters Championship (Larix)
• 2017 Uncut Gems Trotters Classic (Dark Horse)
• 2019 Yearling Sales Two Year Old Trotting Final (Ultimate Stride)

Group Three

• 2008 4 year old Trotters Championship (Springbank Richard)
• 2009 DG Jones Trotting Cup (Springbank Richard)
• 2009 Ashburton Trotters Flying Mile (Springbank Richard)
• 2010 DG Jones Trotting Cup (Springbank Richard)
• 2013 Trotters Championship (Phil’s Gift)
• 2021 Central Otago Trotting Club (Pembrook Playboy)
• 2021 Invercargill Trotting Cup (Pembrook Playboy)
• 2021 Summer Cup (Pembrook Playboy)
• 2021 Caduceus Club/Alabar Fillies Classic (Nutcracker)
• 2021 Northern Southland Cup (Pembrook Playboy)
• 2022 Sires Stakes Classique Mobile Trot (Hidden Talent)

Group Two

• Diamond Creek Farm Two Year Old Classic (You’re So Fine)
• Southern Supremacy Stakes (Ragazzo Mach)
• Southern Supremacy Stakes (Sand Wave)

Group One

• 2006 NZ Trotting FFA (Jasmyn’s Gift)
• 2009 Dominion Handicap (Springbank Richard)  

Overseas wins:

• 2007 Group One Victoria Trotting Derby (Springbank Richard)
• 2012 Group Three Interdominion Trotters Heat (Springbank Richard)

Southland Junior Drivers premiership: 2009 and 2010

Southland Driver premierships: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013,2014, 2015, 2016, 2017,2018,2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 (14).

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink