# Harness racing in New Zealand

Harness racing in New Zealand is primarily a professional sport which involves pacing and trotting competitions for Standardbred racehorses. The difference is the horse's gait or running style:
* pacing is where the two legs on the same side of the horse move forward at the same time, and
* trotting is where the horse moves its two diagonally opposite legs forward at the same time.
In New Zealand the majority of standardbred races are for pacers and the most lucrative races are in that gait. Pacers are generally faster than trotters. However, harness racing is still often called trotting as that was the sport's traditional name.

## History

Trotting races were held as part of the programme of some of the galloping meetings in the Otago Southland area as early as 1864. The first totalisators were introduced about this time. They faced opposition from a curious alliance of bookmakers and anti-gambling factions but were approved by the Clubs and licensed by the Colonial Secretary. The first trotting race on a racecourse in Canterbury, in 1875, before the totalisator was introduced, the stake was only about a "tenner" (£10), but the match created a lot of interest. About 1880, Lower Heathcote Racing Club was founded, supporting gallops, but added trotting events to its programme, giving smaller stakes. Some years later the club discontinued gallops and became the Lower Heathcote Trotting Club, which gave stakes ranging from £15 to £35.
The New South Wales bred, Lawn Derby, racing un-hoppled, was the first pacer to break the two-minute barrier in Australia or New Zealand when he recorded 1:59.4 at the Addington track in New Zealand in 1938.
From these early stages, the sport has developed with top races and top horses from then right up to the present day.

## Racing rules

In New Zealand, the metric distances are used. Races are at distances between 1600m and 3200m.
Racing the leader does not have to hand up the lead to any horse that challenges, often leaving a horse parked outside the leader in the "death seat", "the death", or "facing the breeze", which results in this horse covers more ground than the leader.
New Zealand races may have a field of up to 16 horses, although as numbers of horses have reduced some races will have less than 10 starters. This generally means that with the smaller tracks a "three wide train" starts as the field gets the bell to signal their final lap.
There is a system of an 'open lane' or 'passing lane' ('sprint lane' in Australia). These lanes do not operate on all tracks and have been a point of argument between many industry participants.
New Zealand horses are able to easily "cross the Tasman" to Australia, and Australian horses often compete in major New Zealand races.
In 2021, New Zealand aligned the deemed birth date of horses from 1 August to 1 January.

## Prominent New Zealand pacers

The following are some of New Zealand's greatest pacers and races they have won.
Key for 3-year-old and Australian races:
* NZSS – New Zealand Sires Stakes
* GND – Great Northern Derby
* NZD – New Zealand Trotting Derby
* NSWD – New South Wales Derby
* QuD – Queensland Derby
* MM – Miracle Mile Pace
* HC – A G Hunter Cup
* VC – Victoria Cup
* WAPC – Western Australian Pacing Cup
| Horse | Sire | Dam | Dam Sire | 3YO races | Auck Cup | NZ Cup | NZ FFA | Inter Dom | Major Aust. races | NZ or Australian Horse of the Year | Other notes |
| Auckland Reactor | Mach Three | Atomic Lass | Soky’s Atom | 2007 NZSS 1st 2008 NZD 1st | 2009 1st | | 2008 1st 2009 5th | 2009 12th 2012 7th | 2009 MM 6th 2012 HC 2nd | 2008, 2009 | |
| Blossom Lady | Farm Timer (US) | Lumber Lady | Lumber Dream (US) | | | 1992 1st | 1992 1st | | 1994 HC 1st 1995 HC 1st | 1993 | |
| Caduceus | U Scott (US) | Little Ada | Frank Worthy (US) | 1953 NZD 1st | 1954 1st | 1956 3rd 1958 2nd 1959 3rd | 1956 1st 1958 1st 1959 1st | 1960 1st | | | |
| Captain Sandy | Sandydale (US) | Waikura (US) | Guy Parrish (US) | | 1948 1st 1949 1st | 1949 2nd | | 1950 1st 1953 1st | | | |
| Cardigan Bay | Hal Tryax (US) | Colwyn Bay | Josedale Dictator (US) | | 1962 1st 1963 1st | 1963 1st | 1961 1st 1963 1st | 1963 1st | | | The 1st horse to win $1M. 154 starts for 80 wins and 45 places. |
| Changeover | In The Pocket | Chaangerr | Vance Hanover (US) | 2007 GND 1st 2007 NZD 1st | | 2007 4th 2008 1st | 2008 3rd 2009 3rd | | | | |
| Chokin | Vance Hanover (US) | Nell's Pride | Tuft (US) | 1991 NZSS 1st | 1993 1st 1994 1st | 1993 1st | 1993 1st | | 1993 MM 1st 1994 MM 1st 1994 VC 1st | 1991, 1994 | |
| Christian Cullen | In The Pocket | Pleasant Franco, | by Bo Scots Blue Chip | 1997 NZSS 1st | 1998 1st | 1998 1st | 1998 1st | | | 1999 | |
| Christopher Vance | Vance Hanover (US) | Disco Girl (NZ) | Berry Hanover (US) | 1990 GND 1st | 1990 2nd 1991 1st 1992 2nd 1993 3rd 1994 3rd | 1991 1st 1992 3rd | | | 1991 MM 1st | 1992 | |
| Copy That | American Ideal | Lively Nights | Live Or Die | | 2020 3rd, | 2021 1st 2022 1st | | | | | |
| Courage Under Fire | In The Pocket | Advance Debra | Vance Hanover (US) | 1998 NZSS 1st 1998 GND 1st 1999 NZD 1st | | | | | | | |
| Delightful Lady | Tudor Hanover (US) | Desilu (NZ) | U Scott (USA) | | 1980 1st 1981 1st | 1980 2nd | | | | 1981 | |
| Elsu | Falcon Seelster (US) | Interchange (NZ) | New York Motoring (US) | 2002 GND 1st 2003 NZD 1st | 2003 1st 2004 1st | 2003 2nd 2004 2nd | 2003 3rd | 2005 1st | 2005 HC 1st | 2004, 2005 | |
| False Step | Fallacy (NZ) | Dainty Direct (NZ) | Dan | 1956 NZD 1st | | 1957 4th 1958 1st, 1959 1st 1960 1st | 1960 1st | | | | |
| Flashing Red | Echelon | Courvy Kazi | Courvosier | | 2007 1st | 2006 1st 2007 1st | 2006 2nd 2007 4th | | | 2007 | |
| Great Evander | Bill B Scott (US) | Ayrshire Scott (NZ) | U Scott (US) | | | | | | | | |
| Harold Logan | Logan Pointer (US) | Ivy Cole (NZ) | King Cole (NZ) | | | 1931 1st, 1932 1st, 1934 3rd | 1931 1st, 1934 1st, 1936 1st | | | | |
| Highland Fling | U Scott (US) | Queen Ayesha | Frank Worthy (US) | | | 1947 1st, 1948 1st | 1948 1st | | | | |
| Il Vicolo | Vance Hanover (US) | Burgundy Lass (NZ) | Noodlum (NZ) | 1994 NZSS 1st, 1995 GND 1st, 1995 NZD 1st | | 1995 1st, 1996 1st | 1995 1st | | | 1995, 1996 | |
| I’m The mightyquinn | Washington V C | Love Sign | Soky’s Atom | | 2011 1st, 2013 1st | | | 2011 1st, 2012 1st, 2013 1st | | 2011, 2012 and 2013 (Aust) | |
| Indianapolis | Wrack (US) | Estella Amos (US) | Dale Axworthy | 1932 GND 1st | 1933 1st | 1934 1st, 1935 1st, 1936 1st | 1935 1st | | | | |
| Johnny Globe | Logan Derby | Sandfast | Sandydale (US) | 1950 GND 1st, 1950 NZD 1st | | 1951 2nd, 1953 2nd, 1954 1st | 1953 1st, 1954 1st | | | | |
| Just An Excuse | Live Or Die | My Excuse | Smooth Fella | | | 2003 1st, 2004 1st, 2005 3rd, | 2004 1st, 2005 3rd | | | | |
| Lazarus | Bettor's Delight | Bethany | Christian Cullen | 2016 GND 1st, 2016 NZD 1st | | 2016 1st, 2017 1st | 2016 1st | 2017 1st | 2017 VC 1st 2018 HC 1st | 2017 and 2018 NZ, 2018 (Aust) | Raced and won in America |
| Lord Module | Lordship | Module (NZ) | Bachelor Hanover (USA) | | | 1978 5th, 1979 1st | 1978 3rd, 1979 1st, 1980 2nd | | | 1980 | |
| Lordship | Johnny Globe (NZ) | Ladyship (NZ) | U Scott (US) | 1961 NZD 1st | 1964 1st | 1962 1st, 1964 3rd, 1966 1st | 1962 1st, 1964 1st, 1967 1st | | | | |
| Monkey King | Sands A Flyin | Tuapeka Vale | Smooth Fella | 2005 GND 1st, | 2008 2nd, 2009 2nd, 2010 1st, | 2007 2nd, 2009 1st, 2010 1st, | 2009 1st, 2010 1st, 2011 5th | | 2009 MM 1st | 2010 | |
| Noodlum | Bachelor Hanover | Deft | Captain Adios | 1974 NZD 1st | | | | | | | 15 straight wins (28 in career) |
| Our Sir Vancelot | Vance Hanover (US) | Teeny Teeny (AU) | Overtrick (USA) | | | | | 1997 1st, 1998 1st, 1999 1st | 1997 MM 1st, 1997 WAPC 1st, 1998 WAPC 1st | 1997, 1998 and 1999 (Aust) | |
| Robalan | Lumber Dream (US) | Elsinor (NZ) | U Scott (US) | | | 1972 3rd, 1973 4th, 1974 1st, 1975 3rd | 1971 4th, 1972 1st, 1973 1st, 1974 1st | | | 1974 | A free-legged pacer. |
| Robin Dundee | Hal Tryax | Cherry Blossum | Dillon Hall | | 1965 1st | 1963 2nd, 1965 2nd, 1966 2nd | 1965 1st | 1965 1st= | 1967 MM 1st | | Dead-heated in Interdom with Jay Ar |
| Roydon Glen | Smooth Fella | Roydon Dream | Lumber Dream (US) | 1984 GND 1st | 1985 1st | 1985 3rd | | | | 1985 | |
| Self Assured | Bettor's Delight | Star Of Venus | Christian Cullen | 2019 QuD 1st | 2019 1st, 2022 1st | 2020 1st, 2021 2nd, 2022 5th | 2021 2nd, 2022 1st, 2023 1st | | | | |
| Smoken Up | Tinted Cloud | Carnlough Bay | Camtastic | | | 2009 3rd, 2010 2nd, 2011 2nd | 2010 3rd, 2011 1st | | 2010 MM 1st, 2011 MM 1st, 2011 VC 1st | | |
| Terror to Love | Western Terror | Love To Live | Live Or Die | | 2012 2nd, 2013 2nd, 2014 1st | 2011 1st, 2012 1st, 2013 1st, 2014 4th | 2012 3rd, 2014 4th | | | 2013 & 2014 | |
| Young Quinn | Young Charles (NZ) | Loyal Trick (NZ) | Hal Tryax (US) | | 1974 1st | 1973 3rd, 1974 3rd | 1973 4th, 1974 3rd | 1975 1st | 1975 MM 1st, | 1975 | |

## Prominent New Zealand trotters

The following are some of New Zealand's greatest trotters and races they have won:
| Horse | Sire | Dam | Dam Sire | NZ Trotting Derby / Stakes | Dominion Handicap | National Trot | Rowe Cup | Inter Dominion Trotting Championship | Notes |
| David Moss | Gekoj | Proud Countess | Hickory Pride | | 1993 1994 | | 1993 | | |
| Easton Light | Great Evander | Beverley Light | Light Brigade | | 1972 1974 | 1973 | 1976 | | 167 starts, 36 wins and 76 placings |
| I Can Doosit | Muscles Yankee | Sheezadoosie | Chiola Hanover | | | 2011 | 2011 2012 | 2011 2012 | 2012 New Zealand Horse of the Year |
| Johnny Gee | Johnny Globe | Atone | | 1965 | 1970 | | | | |
| Lyell Creek | Royden Glen (NZ) | Kahlum (NZ) | Noodlum | | 1999 2001 2004 | 1999 2000 | 2000 2001 2004 | 2000 | Raced and won in America and Europe. 2000 New Zealand Horse of the Year |
| Nigel Craig | Protector | Pipetre | | | 1977 | | | | |
| No Response | Hodgen's Surprise | Cordsworth | Ripcord | - | - | 1978 | 1981 | 1979 | 1979 New Zealand Horse of the Year |
| Petite Evander | Great Evander | Thearle (NZ) | Light Brigade | | | | | | 21 wins in NZ, 26 wins in America and Europe, 184 starts for 47 wins world wide and over $800,000 stakes |
| Ordeal | Light Brigade (US) | Arizona (NZ) | U Scott (USA) | | 1960 | | 1961 | | |
| Pride Of Petite | Royal Prestige | Petite Evander | Great Evander | | | | | 1996 1997 | |
| Take A Moment | Armbro Invasion (NZ) | Nakura (NZ) | Jet D'Emeraude | | 2001 2002 2003 | 2002 2003 | 2001 | 2001 2003 | 2003 New Zealand Horse of the Year |

## Prominent people

The following are some notable people in New Zealand harness racing history:
| Person | Achievements & Comments | Other horses associated with |
| James (“Scotty”) Bryce | Winning driver of 4 NZ Cups (Cathedral Chimes, Ahuriri x2, Red Shadow) & 3 Auckland Cups (Ahuriri, Cathedral Chimes, Man O'War) | Captain Sandy, Great Hope, Sea Born, Shadow Maid |
| James Bryce Junior | Winning driver of NZ Cup (Great Hope) & 4 Auckland Cups (Captain Sandy x2, Sea Born, Shadow Maid) | Kohara, Red Shadow |
| Anthony Butt | Winning driver of 3 NZ Cups (Blossom Lady, Flashing Red (x2), 2 Auckland Cups (Flashing Red & Happy Asset), 1 NZ FFA (Blossom Lady), Inter Dominion Hall of Fame | Lyell Creek, Simon Katz, Stunin Cullen, Take A Moment |
| Cecil Devine (1915-1990 | Winning driver of 6 NZ Cups (Van Dieman, Thunder, False Step x3, Lord Module) & 2 NZ FFAs (False Step, Lord Module). New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame. | Bass Strait |
| Tony Herlihy | Winning driver of 3 NZ Cups (Luxury Liner, Christopher Vance & Chokin), 8 Auckland Cups (Chokin x2, Christopher Vance, Comedy Lad, Gotta Go Cullen, Luxury Liner x2, Sharp And Telford) & 7 NZ FFAs (Luxury Liner, Tight Connection, Christopher Vance, Chokin, Brabham, Sly Flyin, Gold Ace), Inter Dominion Hall of Fame, New Zealand Order of Merit | |
| Freeman Holmes (1871-1967 ) | Was a champion thoroughbred jockey and standardbred driver and trainer of both codes. Winning jockey of the New Zealand Cup and driver of the New Zealand Trotting Cup (Trix Pointer) & 2 Auckland Cups (Graham Direct, Roi L'Or). | Bonilene, Frank Worthy, Grattan Loyal, Logan Pointer, Stonewall Jackson, |
| Maurice Holmes (1908–1998) | Winning driver of 3 NZ Cups (Wrackler, Chamfer, Lookaway), 2 Interdominion finals, 2 Auckland Cups (Robin Dundee, Talaro) & 4 NZ FFAs (Harold Logan, Vedette, Lookaway, Robin Dundee). Drove 1666 winners over 49 years. Order of the British Empire. Son of Free Holmes | Noodlum, Pot Luck |
| Charlie Hunter | Winning driver of Auckland Cup (Young Quinn), trainer of 1975 Inter Dominion champions Young Quinn and Castleton's Pride | |
| Derek Jones (harness racing) MNZM | Winning trainer of NZ Cup (Hands Down, Blossom Lady). Father of Peter Jones and grandfather of Mark Jones and Anthony, Tim & Rodney Butt. | Rewa Scott, Soangetaha |
| John Langdon | Winning driver of NZ Cup (Neroship), Auckland Cup (Neroship), Inter Dominion Pacing Championship (Young Quinn) & Inter Dominion Trotting Championship (Castleton’s Pride). Inter Dominion Hall of Fame | |
| Maurice McKendry | Winning driver of Auckland Cup (Sir Lincoln) | |
| Sir Roy McKenzie (1922-2007 ) | Winning owner of 4 Auckland Cups (Garcon Roux, Highland Air, Roydon Glen, Scottish Command) | Game Pride, Sundon |
| Ricky May (harness racing) | Winning driver of 7 NZ Cups (Inky Lord, Iraklis, Mainland Banner, Monkey King x2, Terror To Love x2), 2 Auckland Cups (Terror To Love x2) & 3 NZ FFAs (Iraklis, Monkey King x2), driver of over 3000 winners. | |
| Todd Mitchell | Winning driver of 4 NZ Cups (Homin Hosed, Gracious Knight, Just An Excuse x2) & 1 NZ FFA (Just An Excuse) | |
| Reon Murtha | Long-standing South Island race caller | |
| D D (Denis) Nyhan | Winning driver of 3 NZ Cups (Lordship x2, Robalan), 1 Auckland Cup (Lordship) & 5 NZ FFAs (Lordship x2, Robalan x3). Son of Don Nyhan, brother of Barry Nyhan. | |
| D G (Don) Nyhan (1909/10–2009) | Winning driver of NZ Cup (Johnny Globe) & 3 NZ FFAs (Johnny Globe x2, Lordship). Son of Dan Nyhan, father of Denis Nyhan & Barry Nyhan. | |
| Mark Purdon | Winning driver of 6 NZ Cups (Il Vicolo x2, Adore Me, Lazarus x2, Self Assured), 6 Auckland Cups (Amazing Dream, Auckland Reactor, Dream About Me, Self Assured, Turn It Up, Young Rufus) & 5 NZ FFAs (Il Vicolo, Tax Credit, Young Rufus, Jack Cade, Auckland Reactor, Lazarus). Son of Roy Purdon, brother of Barry Purdon. | Pride Of Petite, |
| Roy Purdon (1927–2022) | Father of Barry & Mark Purdon. Champion trainer. | Comedy Lad, Framalda, Hi Foyle, Luxury Liner, Melton Monarch, Scottish Charm, Sole Command, |
| Natalie Rasmussen | Winning driver of 1 NZ Cup (Thefixer), 2 NZ FFAs (Ultimate Machete, Cruz Bromac), 1 Auckland Cup (Vincent), Inter Dominion Pacing Championship (Blacks A Fake x4, Ultimate Sniper) | Chase Auckland, Cruz Bromac, Ultimate Machete |
| Steven Reid | NZ trainers premiership winner 1997/98, trainer of over 1000 wins | Baileys Dream, Gold Ace, Monkey King |
| Jack Smolenski (1935–2013) | Winning driver of NZ Cup (Arapaho) & Auckland Cup (Arapaho) | |
| Doody Townley (1925–1999) | Winning driver of NZ Cup (True Averill), 2 Auckland Cups (Stella Frost & Waitaki Hanover) & 2 NZ FFAs (Stella Frost, Waitaki Hanover). | Bellajily, Hano Direct, Rupee, Stylish Major, Sun Chief, Tactile |
| Peter Wolfenden (1935–present) | Winning driver of 4 NZ Cups (Cardigan Bay, Garry Dillon, James, Sole Command), 6 Auckland Cups (Armalight, Cardigan Bay x2, Damian, Enterprise, Sole Command) & 2 NZ FFAs (Cardigan Bay x2). | |

## Major New Zealand harness races

In New Zealand the richest and most important race is the New Zealand Trotting Cup, run for open class pacers in November at Addington Raceway. Other major races include the Auckland Trotting Cup as well as the Noel J Taylor Memorial Mile and the New Zealand Messenger Championship for four-year-olds. There are also the New Zealand Derby and the Great Northern Derby for three-year-olds, and the Dominion Handicap and Rowe Cup for trotters. The Harness Jewels raceday (the end-of year championships for two-, three- and four-year-olds) takes place in late May or early June
A marquee event is the annual series which takes place between New Zealand and Australia called the Inter Dominion. The series, which includes a pacing series and a trotting series, is held yearly and rotated around the Australian State Controlling Bodies and once every four years the Inter Dominion Championships are held in New Zealand.
There is also the Australasian Pacers Grand Circuit in which each year points are awarded for placings in the major races in Australia and New Zealand to determine the overall winner.

## Harness racing clubs and courses of New Zealand

Harness racing is held throughout New Zealand, including courses in some of the smaller centres. The following trotting clubs were listed in the 1972 DB Trotting Annual.
| Club | Course, Town/city/province | Notes |
| Northland TC | Kensington Park | |
| Auckland TC | Alexandra Park, Auckland | 1006m right-handed all weather track |
| Thames TC | Alexandra Park, Auckland | |
| Franklin TC | Alexandra Park, Auckland | |
| Waikato TC | Claudelands Raceway | |
| Bay of Plenty TC | Tauranga | |
| Cambridge TC | Cambridge Raceway | 1000m left-handed all weather track |
| Te Awamutu TC | Cambridge Raceway | |
| Morrinsville TC | Cambridge Raceway | |
| Rotorua TC | Rotorua | |
| Taranaki TC | New Plymouth | |
| Stratford TC | Stratford | |
| Hawera TC | Hāwera | |
| Wanganui TC | Whanganui | |
| Manawatu TC | Palmerston North | 900m left-handed all weather track |
| Otaki TC | Otaki Racecourse | 1835m left-handed grass track |
| Masterton TC | Tauherenikau | 1800m left-handed grass track |
| Wellington TC | Hutt Park | The Wellington TC was created in 1916, and racing commenced at Hutt Park. The TC ceased holding race meetings at Hutt Park in 2002 |
| Nelson TC | Nelson | |
| Marlborough TC | Blenheim | |
| Westport TC | Patterson Park, Westport | 1206m left-handed grass track |
| Reefton TC | Refton | |
| Greymouth TC | Greymouth | |
| Kaikoura TC | Kaikōura | |
| Rangiora TC | Rangiora | 1206m left-handed all weather track |
| Cheviot TC | Rangiora | |
| Hororata TC | Hororata | |
| New Zealand Metropolitan TC | Addington Raceway | 1193m left handed all weather track. Created by amalgamation of the Canterbury Trotting Club and Lancaster Park Amateur Trotting Club. In 1899 it held its first meetings at Addington. In 1998 it amalgamated with the Canterbury Park TC and New Brighton TC into a "new" New Zealand Metropolitan Club. |
| Canterbury Park TC | Addington Raceway | In 1922 the Club purchased the lease to Addington Raceway from the NZMTC, which was intending on moving to Riccarton. The NZMTC's move never eventuated so it became a tenant of Canterbury Park TC. In 1998 it amalgamated into "new" New Zealand Metropolitan TC. |
| New Brighton TC | Addington Raceway | The New Brighton Trotting Club held its first official race meeting on March 16, 1895. In 1963 it moved to Addington Raceway. In 1998 it amalgamated into the "new" New Zealand Metropolitan TC. |
| Banks Peninsula TC | Motukarara | 1811m left-handed grass track |
| Methven TC | Mt Harding Racecourse, Methven | 1386m Left-handed track |
| Ashburton TC | Ashburton | |
| Geraldine TC | Geraldine | |
| South Canterbury TC | Timaru | |
| Waimate TC | Waimate | |
| Oamaru TC | Oamaru | |
| Kurow TC | Oamaru | |
| Central Otago TC | Omakau | 1200m left-handed all weather track |
| Waikouaiti TC | Waikouaiti | |
| Roxburgh TC | Roxburgh | 1010m left-handed all weather track |
| Forbury Park TC | Forbury Park, Dunedin | |
| Cromwell | Cromwell Racecourse | 1627m left-handed grass track |
| Gore TC | Gore | 1000m left-handed all weather track |
| Winton TC | Winton | |
| Wairio TC | Winton | |
| Wyndham TC | Wyndham | |
| Invercargill TC | Invercargill | 1029m left-handed all weather track |
The Amberley Racing Club also held trotting races at Amberley Racecourse and eventually an Amberley TC was formed and held trotting meetings. When the Amberley racecourse closed in 1973 the club then held meetings at Rangiora in February and September 1974 and conducted Equalisator meetings at its qualifying trials meetings through until 1980. The Amberley TC held its first full Totalisator meeting on 23 January 1994.

## United States and Canada

The association with trotting in New Zealand and the United States has always been strong, with much of the breeding stock coming from America. Particularly in the 1950s and 1960s, New Zealand horses competed in both Canada and the United States. The first New Zealand horse to be raced in America by a New Zealander was the trotter Vodka, the winner of the 1953 Dominion Handicap. He was taken there in 1956 by his owner, J. S. Shaw, won 11 races and was later leased to American interests.
In 1960 Caduceus was the first New Zealand pacer to compete in the Yonkers International Series with his trainer-driver, J. D. Litten. Despite his nine years, Caduceus showed he was the equal of the top American horses, winning the last race of the series, only to be disqualified. He also was leased to American interests and at 10 years of age was still winning races.
False Step was driven in the Yonkers International series during the 1960–61 season by his trainer C C Devine. False Step's performances showed he was one of the greatest pacers in the world. He beat the acknowledged American champion, Adios Butler, in a 1+1⁄2-mile race. He was sold in America for 115,000 dollars, the fifth-highest price paid for a pacer in the United States.
Arania also entered the series with False Step. She did not do well, but after being leased won several races and proved she was able to race with the best in America, and in fact created a record of 1 min 57 sec for 1 mile in the Lexington Red Mile.
In 1964, Cardigan Bay was to travel to America with reinsman Stanley Dancer, who paid 100,000 dollars for the horse. Cardigan Bay was already an established racehorse in New Zealand, having won the 1963 New Zealand Trotting Cup and other top races in Australia and New Zealand. He went on to win over a million dollars in the United States, the first harness horse ever to do so.