The 2024 Harness Breeders Victoria awards were celebrated at the Victorian Horse of the Year event in Melton, recognizing outstanding contributions in various categories. Yabby Dam Farms, led by Pat Driscoll, was named the Woodlands Stud Victorian Breeder of the Year, achieving 169 wins from 96 starters and earning over $3.08 million in stakes. Other notable nominees included Peter Gleeson and Adam Cahill, who also had impressive results in the breeding season.
The Benstud Standardbreds Victorian Pacing Broodmare of the Year was awarded to the late Coppagoodone for the second consecutive year, recognized for producing top performers like Catch A Wave and Yambukian, who collectively earned over $852,000. Other nominees included Delightful Jade and Our Celebrity, showcasing the competitive nature of the breeding industry.
Heavens Above, bred by Yabby Dam Farms, won the Aldebaran Park Victorian Trotting Broodmare of the Year, contributing to Just Believe’s impressive $974,000 in stakes. The Pangrazio family’s longstanding impact on the Victorian breeding scene was honored with the 2024 Metro Printing Ian Daff Memorial Trophy, highlighting their commitment to harness racing since the 1970s. The event underscored the vital role of sponsors in supporting the annual Breeder Awards program.
