Harness Racing Australia is thrilled to announce the J.D. Watts Awards to our sports highest performers for the 2021 season.
The Awards are named after the great J.D. (Jack) Watts, who trained and drove winners in all states of Australia and New Zealand in a remarkable fifty-year career, highlighted by driving the champion pacer Caduceus. The Awards named in Jack’s honour celebrate the sports leading trainer and driver.
2021 Australian Driver of the Year
PETE McMULLEN
Pete McMullen of Queensland was Australia’s leading driver with 315 wins in the 2021 season.
This is Pete’s first national title and becomes just the third Queenslander to win the title after Shane Graham in 2015 and Kevin Thomas in 1976, 1977 and 1981.
2021 Australian Trainer of the Year
BEN YOLE
Ben Yole of Tasmania was Australia’s leading trainer with 231 wins for the season.
In winning the Australian Trainer of the Year, Ben became the first Tasmanian to win the national title since the commencement of the Awards in 1976.
The Members of Harness Racing Australia congratulate Pete and Ben on their outstanding achievements.
