What is Harness racing? The answer is - one of the most exiting equestrian sports there is.

To the uninitiated – Harness racing horses are called Standard “breds” and are specifically bred for their type of racing – they race in two categories – 'Trotters' that have a diagonal gate (as a normal trot only at great speed) and 'Pacers' that have a lateral gate i.e.: both legs on one side forward together (as a camel moves) 90% of the horses in the UK are Pacers. Both Trotters and Pacers can reach speeds of 30mph., even faster on hard tracks.  The horses are driven in a small cart called a sulky, with as many as 10 horses per race.

They usually race two circuits of a track ½ a mile in length – and races are divided into lower grade, for newly qualified horses and those that have won a small amount, after which they move up to races in which they are handicapped according to the amount of monies won.

At Hartington the horses race round a grass track, the handicapped horses run in qualifying races and then the winner and placed horses run in a final at the end of the day

There is always a good crowd around the Bookmakers adding to the atmosphere, with many major bets being struck.

If you have never seen Harness racing before, then make a date to visit Hartington Sports and join the growing number of fans of this very exiting sport.

Visit www.pikehallharnessracing.co.uk for further information

For results please visit The British Harness Racing Club website at  www.bhrc.org.uk.

Click on results and fixtures - Results 19 Sept 2010 Hartington

 

Harness Racing 2009 Results

Race 1 - Heat 1 Grades 3-4

1^st - Boston Accent - Driver: Richard Haythornthwaite  Time: 2.40.2

2^nd - Stormy Seas - Driver: Jim McKinally

3^rd - Easy Goin - Driver: John Wright

Race 2 - Heat 2 Grades 3, 4 & 5

1^st - Mach Little - Driver: Jason Podmore  Time: 2.44

2^nd - Keep In Touch - Driver: Alan Haythornthwaite 

3^rd - Nito Lobell - Driver:  Lee Fletcher

 Race 3 - Heat 3 Grades 5 & 6

1^st - Royal Whisper - Driver: Mick Lord  Time: 2.39

2^nd - Ayr Kid - Driver: Jason Podmore

3^rd - Gonastray - Driver: Alan Haythornthwaite 

Race 4 - Heat 4 Grades 7 & 8

1^st - Magical Star - Driver: Erica Brian  Time: 2.39.6

2^nd - Strike Gold - Driver: Andrew Stenhouse

3^rd - Lyons Robinhood - Driver: Jason Podmore

Race 5 - Grade 0

1^st - On Top 24-6 - Driver: Chris Nichol  Time: 2.95

2^nd - Kathryn Howard - Driver: Gary Dowse

3^rd - Roman Art - Driver: Shane Ward

Race 6 - Grades 0 & 1

1^st - County Buddies - Driver: Gary Dowse  Time: 2.95

2^nd - Brywins Budwizer - Driver: Maurice Ward

3^rd - Gillies Makemyday - Driver: Vicky Gill

Race 7 - Grades 1 & 2

1^st - High Goodbye - Driver: Andrew Cairns  Time: 2.7.2

2^nd - Beyonce Seelster - Driver: Andrew Stenhouse

3^rd - Oakey Dokey - Driver: Lee Fletcher

Race 8 - Grade 2

1st - Chipnpin - Driver: Gary Clark  Time: 2.9.2

2^nd  - Wellfield Blaze - Driver: Kelly Rushton

3^rd  - Howards Gigolo - Driver: John Howard Jnr

Race 9 - Final

1st - Strike Gold - Driver: Andrew Stenhouse  Time: 2.41.5

2^nd  - Royal Whisper - Driver: Mick Lord

3^rd  - Ayr Kid - Driver: Jason Podmore