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ABOUT US

Individual care, attention to detail and communication

Arna Donnelly Harness Racing (ADHR) is located in the heart of the Waikato, behind Cambridge Raceway. 

The operation is owned and managed by Arna along with four full-time and two part-time staff members and a handful of weekend volunteers. 

Here at ADHR we pride ourselves on the presentation and preparation of all horses in our care. We like to think we’ve given your horse the best possible opportunity when it steps out onto the racetrack.   

Our philosophy is to treat each horse as an individual. We usually have between 25 to 30 horses in work, but we know that no two horses are the same and so their work and feeding patterns reflect their individual needs. Attention to detail is also very important to us as this ensures any abnormalities are readily detected and rectified. 

Wherever possible we try to use the same drivers, mainly David Butcher and Todd Mitchell.  However, all owners are welcome to suggest a driver of their choice.

Communication is also one of our key points of difference. We believe that every owner should be kept fully informed as to what’s happening with their horse. The methods we use to communicate are phone calls, miStable updates (includes voice messages, videos and photos), a monthly newsletter, weekly race previews, Facebook and this website. 

 Arna Donnelly Racing Arna Donnelly Racing Arna Donnelly Racing

Season Highlights

2022

Kango

3rd in the Franklin Cup (Group 2) 
1st in the Kaikoura Cup (Group 2)
1st in the Spring Cup
3rd in the Auckland Cup (Group 1)
2nd in the Roy Purdon Memorial (Listed)
1st in the Superstars Championship (Group 2)
3rd in the Summer Cup (Group 3)

Rough And Ready

1st in the Waikato Cup
1st in the Manawatu Country Cup
1st in the City of Palmerston North Cup

4 winners and 3 seconds

At Cambridge (11 February)

3 winners and 3 placings

At Cambridge (2 March)

2 winners in a night on 5 occasions

4 times at Cambridge and once at Alexandra Park

250 career wins

Win 250 - New York Minute

2023

Rough And Ready

1st in the Cambridge Gold Cup

New York Minute

1st in the Manawatu Country Cup

Kango

Selected to compete in The Race by Grins and ran a very creditable 6th
1st in the Roy Purdon Memorial (Listed)
2nd in the City of Auckland FFA (Group 2)

2 winners in a night on 6 occasions

Five at Cambridge and once at Alexandra Park

3 winners

At Manawatu (21 November)

Le Major

1st in the Sires Stakes - Heat 1
1st in the Sires Stakes - Heat 3
3rd in the Harness Millions - 2 year old C&G (Listed)

Jolimont

2nd in the 3YO Flying Stakes (Group 1)

300 career wins

Win 300 - Bad Medicine

Bad Medicine

1st in the Wairarapa Cup
1st in the Manawatu Cup

2024

Little Spike

1st in the Dinny Johnston Memorial
4th in the Northern Derby (Group 1)

Kango

1st in the Founders Cup (Group 3)
3rd in the City of Auckland FFA (Group 2)
3rd in The Race By Grins (Listed)

Jolimont

1st in the NZB Airfreight Country Cup

2 winners in a night on 3 occasions

Cambridge (4 April)
Cambridge (6 August)
Cambridge (20 August)