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Harness Racing Results

Harness racing, popularly known as trotting, is a different type of horse racing. Instead of jockeys riding the horses and guiding them through a set course, the horses have to pull a cart. The uniformity of pace at which the horses have to move is the reason why the sport is called trotting.

Harness racing is practiced in many countries across the world, including

  • New Zealand
  • Australia
  • The US
  • The UK
  • Canada
  • Hong Kong
  • Singapore
  • South Africa

Different countries have different rules for the sport, but the ones most commonly followed originated in North America. Harness racing is one of the foremost racing events in Australia and has gained a wide following. It also attracts a vast bookmaking market.

Origins

Harness racing emerged in the early 19th century in Australia. The first racing event was conducted on 30th April 1810, as part of a sports carnival. From that time onwards, harness racing became more and more popular and many clubs and organizations for the sport started emerging. Harness racing for juniors aged 6 to 16 was introduced in 1975. Innovations to the sport include changing the length of the track as well as staging races under lights. In Australia, harness racing is as popular as horse racing.

Overview

All harness races in Australia have Standardbred horses pulling two-wheeled carts. Thoroughbreds and other breeds of horses are used in races in several countries across Europe. The cart is known as a sulky, bike or gig. A driver sits on the cart and he guides the horse to complete the race in the desired order. Harness racing is divided into two different gaits. Each gait requires the horse to move in a specific rhythm.

  • Pacing

In a pacing gait, the horse’s legs on one side have to move simultaneously. The right legs have to move forward together and same for the left legs. At any given moment in the race, two legs on the same side of the horse are off the ground. Pacing is the preferred form of harness racing, where almost 80% to 90% of events require the horses to pace rather than trot. Standardbred horses are also known to be better at pacing than trotting. Trotters can enter into pacing competitions but pacers cannot take part in trotting events. The general length of a pacing track is 700 to 1,000 metres.

 

  • Trotting

Trotting is different from pacing in the sense that the diagonal pairs of legs of a horse move together. The right front and the left hind, and left front and right hind legs move together. When the horse’s right front leg moves, the left hind leg moves as well. This means that that the diagonal legs are in the air and on the ground at the same time. Like trotting, two legs of the horse are in the air at any given point during the race. The difference is that the legs are diagonal rather than on the same side.

The two types of harness racing contested in Australia attract thousands of spectators and are also bet on.

Major Events

The biggest competition for harness racing in Australia is the Inter Dominion. The tournament is held between horses from Australia and New Zealand and the two countries alternate hosting duties. There are several other major events and competitions held in Australia.

  • The Miracle Mile
  • Victoria Cup
  • Australian Pacing Championship
  • Chariots of Fire
  • A G Hunter Cup

Clubs and Tracks

There are currently 91 harness racing tracks in Australia. Over the year, 1,900 meetings are conducted. The number of trainers and horses increase each year, with an average of 5,000 horses being registered for competing in harness racing events each year. The number of drivers and trainers also increases with the increase in the number of horses.

Betting on Harness Racing in Australia

Throughout the year, millions of dollars are wagered on harness racing. It is one of the most popular sports in Australia. There are many bookmakers, online and offline, who offer betting on harness racing events. Bets are also placed with the Totalisator Agency Board (TAB), which covers harness races in Australia and New Zealand.

Australia is one of the foremost countries where harness racing is practiced. If you are looking to engage in betting on harness racing, then Australia is your best option.

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