The Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship is more than a quest to find the world’s top driver. It’s a contest, a game of strategy, and a chance to win big, with over $250,000 up for grabs. This thrilling new slot racing series sees ten of the world's best harness drivers battling it out in a 20-race series across two feature nights at Albion Park on February 21 - 22, 2025.
The unique series has slot holders selecting both the drivers and horses to compete in the slots across the 20 races. Of the ten slots, nine were available for purchase at $20,000 each, with the Championship sponsor Ladbrokes taking the remaining slot. Applications for slots closed on 31 July 2024, and those selected now prepare for the event.
Slot holders are currently negotiating with leading drivers in Australia or overseas. Drivers must be A-grade or equivalent, with arrangements for the driver's services made between the slot holder and the driver. After securing a driver, slot holders will choose which horse their driver partners with via a 'snake order draft', ensuring fairness and competitiveness.
Slot holders earn points throughout the 20 races based on their driver's performance, with the top slot holder and their driver winning the first prize of $100,000. Slot holders also receive $1,000 for each race winner.
The series promises to attract global interest, with endorsements from top drivers like Tim Tetrick and Jody Jamieson, who praise its innovative approach and potential to boost harness racing's popularity. The Ultimate Driver Championship is set to be a spectacular showcase of talent and strategy, bringing the world’s best drivers to compete at Albion Park.
BARRIER SLOT HOLDER
Driver
Profile/stats
LADBROKES
Dexter Dunn
Nickname: Double D
Nationality – New Zealand
Lifetime Stakes Earnings: $120 Million+
Lifetime Wins: 4000 +
Best Horses Driven: Christen Me, Bulldog Hanover, Bettors Wish
Best Horses Driven: A Rocknroll Dance, Father Patrick, Foiled Again
Feature Race Wins: Breeders Crown (various), Little Brown Jug, Hambletonian, Yonkers Trot
Photo credit: Claus Andersen / Harness Racing Update
GLOUCESTER PARK GURUS
Gary Hall Jnr
Nickname: Junior
Nationality: Australian
Lifetime Stakes Earnings: $50 million+
Lifetime Wins: 4000+
Best Horses Driven: Im Themightyquinn, Chicago Bull, King Of Swing
Feature Race Wins: Inter Dominion, Hunter Cup, WA Pacing Cup
Photo credit: Hamilton Content Creators / Gloucester Park
TRIPLE PLAY SYNDICATE
Brad Hewitt
Nickname: Hollywood
Nationality: Australian
Lifetime Stakes Earnings: $8 million+
Lifetime Wins: 750+
Best Horses Driven: Bittersweet, Extreme Sea, Captains Knock
Feature Race Wins: 7 Time Group 1 winner including Gold Tiara, Breeders Challenge Finals (Numerous)
FIRST OVER CRUSH SYNDICATE
Nathan Dawson
Nickname: The Postman
Nationality: Australian
Lifetime Stakes Earnings: $13 million+
Lifetime Wins: 2023
Best Horses Driven: Not As Promised, Uptown Beachgirl, Frankie Ferocious
Feature Race Wins: 5 x Group 1 winner, Victorian Trotters Derby, Australasian Breeders Crown, QBRED Triads
GATH RACING GROUP SUPPORTING TEAM TEAL
SEN, GARRARDS AND 1EQUINE SYNDICATE
THE UNHARNESSED HAWKS SYNDICATE
N40 RACING / BOYS GET PAID SYNDICATE
TUMBY PARK SYNDICATE
The Ultimate Driver has the opportunity to become the greatest show on dirt.
It’s a very exciting event that is sure to pique the interest of drivers and racing and sporting fans not just in Australia but across the
globe.
I absolutely love the concept of the Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship - this type of innovation brings energy and excitement to reward our fans and fellow horse lovers, what a fantastic way to add interest to the sport of harness racing on a global
level.
“It’s a terrific concept, nothing like we’ve seen before, and we’d love to add to the international flavour of it.
It would be great to see some of the best drivers from around the world going at it across 20 races at Albion
Park.”
SLOT INFORMATION
BUY YOUR SLOT (COMPLETED)
In total, there will be 10 slot holders, nine available for purchase at $20,000 each, with Championship sponsor Ladbrokes filling the remaining slot. Slot applications can be made by syndicates (five or more), businesses, or individuals. A selection panel made up of RQ and Albion Park Harness Racing Club representatives will determine slot holders in line with the below selection criteria should there be more applicants than slots available.
Syndicates will be preferred to help maximise engagement providing they meet the other criteria;
Promotional value the Applicant will contribute to both the event and harness racing in Queensland.
CHOOSE YOUR DRIVER
Once a slot holder has paid the fee, they are free to negotiate with leading drivers either in Australia or overseas (must be an A-grade driver or equivalent). The arrangement is purely between the slot holder and the driver.
THE CONCEPT
THE FIELDS
Race fields for the series will be collated in the same manner as any other driver series where trainers nominate their horses without a driver assigned. To maximise fields and competitiveness, all races will be penalty-free with advertised prize money distributed to owners and trainers as per usual.
DRAFT
Following race fields being collated, slot holders will get the chance to choose which horses their driver is partnered with via a draft. For fairness, the draft will be conducted as a ‘snake order draft’, with slot holders able to choose any of the available horses left across the 20 races until all drivers/slot holders are assigned to a horse in each race.
THE RACE
Be there to cheer on your driver with Ladbrokes (pit) lane set up for slot holders to entertain guests. Slot holders will receive points throughout the 20 races (depending on where their driver places in each race), with the slot holder/driver who accrues the most points declared the winner.
PLACING & PRIZE MONEY
Placing
Prize Money
1st
$100,000
2nd
$50,000
3rd
$35,000
4th
$20,000
5th
$10,000
6th to 10th
$5,000
Race Winner
$1,000 per race (split in the case of a Dead Heat)
