Kelvin Harrison to train Auckland Reactor in U.S.

One of the greatest racehorses to have set foot on a New Zealand race track will continue to have a Kiwi connection thanks to a decision made this week by the directors of Auckland Reactor Limited. The resolution was made via a phone conference call. Not only will the brilliant 5-year-old Mach Three stallion be trained by former Kiwi Kelvin Harrison in New Jersey but the directors also agreed that "Reactor’s" groom and constant friend, Jeremy Young will continue to be by his side. They leave on Jan. 19.

 

Methven-born (Mid-Canterbury) Harrison has been one of North America’s most consistent trainers having trained many good horses over the last twenty years and one of the fastest mares in history the Camtastic mare Frightening P, 1:48.4.

 

But it was that fact that he was trainer of a smaller team of horses and his knowledge of Auckland Reactor’s history and his phone conference interview which won over the directors. He was one of several trainers spoken to by the directors.

 

"One of the owners late in the piece suggested Kelvin Harrison and we got him on the conference call. He really impressed the directors not only with his Down Under Heritage but with his record with imported horses from New Zealand and his standing in the Harness Racing Industry in North America that really got them," said John Curtin.

 

Auckland Reactor owners will pay about $40,000 to stake Auckland Reactor for the richest open aged races in North America this year.

 

Winning big Stakes races is not foreign to Harrison. Since is arrival in the United States in 1992 Harrison has trained 756 winners and has earnings of $9.6 million.

 

Harrison was also renowned for campaigning North American pacer Dare You To at the 1991 Interdominions in Auckland. The Abercrombie stallion won the 6th Pacers heat in a then New Zealand record time of 2:02.6 for the 1,700-meter race with a mobile start.

 

Curtin has no doubts about Harrison’s training abilities. He’s also adamant Auckland Reactor is the fastest racehorse he has seen. And that’s some statement considering Curtin has sold and watched thousands of Standardbreds in countries all over the world.

 

"The plan is to race Auckland Reactor up there this year and if he shows his best he will probably be retired to stud there at the end of this year," he said. "There is also a lucrative stud career waiting for him ‘Down Under’ because he was a sensation on the racetrack and people here will never forget what he achieved.

 

"He was incredible as a 3 year old winning all 11 of his starts and went on to win 17 races in a row. He was a two times ‘New Zealand Harness Horse Of The Year’ and was only ever beaten in this country three times.

"I don’t think many Southlanders will forget the day he recorded 54 and 25.9 sectionals when winning at Invercargill in April 2008. He brought the crowds to every track he raced on and the people loved him. He will be a great loss to the industry Down Under."

 

But he said Auckland Reactor could also be a great ambassador for the New Zealand Harness Racing Industry and the export market if he performs the way we think he will.