Image courtesy National Trotguide - De Fillipe with the best trotter he’s ever trained, the brilliant Stent.
New Zealand has long been the breeding ground of great horses and great horsemen. On behalf of HRNSW we catch up with champion Kiwi harness trainer/driver Colin de Fillipe.
Colin talks of his early days in the sport and his first winning drive at Greymouth in 1974. That was the first of well over 2000 winning drives for the South Island horseman.
Colin reflects on the great pacer Courage Under Fire who won a total of 41 races. Bruce Negus trained the champ for the first half of his career and De Fillipe drove him in 24 consecutive victories.
Col also talks about the bonny mare Kym’s Girl which he co-trained and drove to win the famous NZ Cup.
Trot fans will enjoy this trip down memory lane with a gentleman of NZ harness racing.
(Banner image courtesy National Trotguide - One of Colin’s 24 wins with Courage Under Fire - The Great Northern Derby Auckland 1998.)
Image courtesy National Trotguide - Col doffs his cap after winning the 2004 NSW Derby on Roman Gladiator.