Racing Queensland has unveiled the finalists for the 2024 Queensland Harness Awards.
Staged at Victoria Park on Sunday, February 16, the Queensland Harness Awards will acknowledge the Sunshine State’s outstanding pacers, trotters and participants throughout the past year.
Ever-consistent pacers Aardie B Miki, Fate Awaits and Wisper A Secret join two-time reigning Horse of the Year and Triple Crown Champion, Leap To Fame in the running for the top gong.
Leap To Fame, who also claimed both the Group 1 Blacks A Fake and Group 1 Sunshine Sprint as part of the Queensland Constellations, also leads the finalists for Queensland Aged Pacer of the Year.
Other Group 1 performers amongst the nominations for an award on the night include Cool And Classy and Bronski Zulu.
“The Queensland Harness Awards are always a fitting way for the industry to celebrate the accomplishments of our equine and human participants,” Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott said.
“We have seen some incredible accomplishments at home and interstate over the past year, highlighted by Leap To Fame completing the Triple Crown, along with another outstanding Queensland Constellations Carnival.
“The strength in our ranks is highlighted through this year’s finalists, and I look forward to welcoming our participants for what should be an enjoyable evening.”
In total, close to 30 Awards of distinction will be presented to Queensland's outstanding achievers including Horse of the Year, Trotter of the Year, Trainer of the Year and Driver of the Year, as well as Albion Park, Redcliffe and Marburg club awards.
The latest Queensland Harness Racing Hall Of Fame inductees will also be announced, as well as the Queensland Off-The-Track Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year.
Click here for more information on the 2024 Queensland Harness Awards.
2024 Harness Awards Finalists
The established voting criteria states that horses must be trained in Queensland for a minimum of six months to be eligible as finalists.
Queensland Harness Horse of the Year
Aardie B Miki – trained by Chantal Turpin
Season 2024: 10 starts for seven wins, two placings and $182,253 in prize money.
Highlights: Winner of the Group 1 Queensland Oaks, Group 2 South East Oaks. Placed in Group 3 Redcliffe Oaks.
Fate Awaits – trained by Grant Dixon
Season 2024: Nine starts for five wins, three placings and $394,832 in prize money.
Highlights: Winner of the Group 1 Protostar, Group 1 NSW Breeders Challenge 2YO Colts and Geldings Final. Placed in Nutrien Equine Classic 2YO Colts and Geldings Final.
Leap To Fame – trained by Grant Dixon
Season 2024: 16 starts for 15 wins, one placing and $1,451,428 in prize money.
Highlights: Winner of the Group 1 Blacks A Fake, Group 1 Sunshine Sprint, Group 1 A.G Hunter Cup, Group 1 Miracle Mile, Group 2 Newcastle Mile, Group 2 Cranbourne Cup, Group 3 Mr Feelgood Open, Group 3 Smoken Up Sprint. Runner-up in Group 3 Patron’s Purse.
Wisper A Secret – trained by Chantal Turpin
Season 2024: 12 starts for six wins, two placings and $374,581 in prize money.
Highlights: Winner of the Group 1 The Rising Sun. Finished fourth in The Eureka.
Queensland Aged Pacer of the Year
- Leap To Fame
- Speak The Truth
- Wisper A Secret
Queensland Trotter of the Year
- Gus NZ
- Hammer Son
- Zealous Spur
Queensland 3YO Pacer of the Year
- Aardie B Miki
- Bronski Zulu
- Soap Opera
Queensland 2YO Pacer of the Year
- Cool And Classy
- Fate Awaits
- Sinabun
Queensland Juvenile Trotter of the Year
- Agent Black
- Monterey Lass
- Northern Heights
Queensland Filly or Mare of the Year
- Aardie B Miki
- Chynchilla
- Cool And Classy
Queensland Broodmare of the Year
- Effective Torque
- Morethanmeetstheye
- Washington Lass NZ
Queensland Breeder of the Year
- Ian Corazzol
- Jeff & Le-Ann Wallace
- Solid Earth Pty Ltd
Queensland Owner of the Year
- Craig Whiteoak
- Solid Earth Pty Ltd
- Summit Bloodstock
