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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 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. 

Communication is also one of our key points of difference. We believe 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

2024

Arna

  • 48 wins

  • 5th equal on the NZ trainers premiership

  • Highest number of wins for a solo trainer in the North Island

Little Spike

  • 1st in the Dinny Johnston Memorial

  • 4th in the Northern Derby (Group 1)

  • 1st in the Cambridge Pacers Christmas Cup

Kango

  • 1st in the Founders Cup (Group 3)

  • 3rd in the City of Auckland FFA (Group 2)

  • 3rd in The Race By Grins (Listed)

  • 3rd in the Golden Gait

Jolimont

  • 1st in the NZB Airfreight Country Cup

  • 3rd in the Franklin Cup (Group 2)

  • 5th in the Auckland Cup (Group 1)

2 winners in a night on 7 occasions

  • Cambridge (4 April)

  • Cambridge (6 August)

  • Cambridge (20 August)

  • Alexandra Park (29 November)

  • Alexandra Park (6 December)

  • Manawatu (10 December)

  • Cambridge (24 December)

Red Rackham

  • 1st in the Wairarapa Cup

Golden Gait 2024 - 3 wins

  • Chase Me

  • Jolimont

  • Rough And Ready

350 career wins

  • Win 350 - Jolimont

2025

2 winners in a night on 7 occasions

  • Cambridge (17 January)

  • Manawatu (11 March)

  • Manawatu (1 May)

  • Cambridge (21 August)

  • Cambridge (11 September)

  • Alexandra Park (19 September)

  • Cambridge (14 November)

Jolimont

  • 1st in the Lincoln Farms Founders Cup  (Group 3)

  • 1st in the Thames Goldfields Summer Cup

  • 3rd in the Golden Gait

Rough And Ready

  • 1st in the Manawatu Cup Prelude

  • 20 wins

  • 1st in the Wairarapa Cup 

  • 1st in the Cambridge Pacers Christmas Cup

Little Spike

  • 3rd in the Lincoln Farms Founders Cup (Group 3)

  • 3rd in the City of Auckland FFA (Group 2)

  • 2nd in the Thames Goldfields Summer Cup

  • 2nd in the Lincoln Farms Franklin Cup (Group 2)

  • 1st in the Harness 5000 - 4YO Geldings & Entires (Listed)

The Surfer

  • 1st in the BetaVet Bay of Plenty Country Cup

  • 1st in the Northern Region Pacers Final

  • 2nd in the Country Championship Final (Listed)

  • 2nd in the Spring Cup 

  • 3rd in the Thames Goldfields Summer Cup

Beta Prepare

  • 1st in the Franklin Country Cup

  • 4th in the Golden Gait

Joes Rock

  • 3rd in the Harness 5000 - 5YO Mares (Listed)

400 career wins

  • Win 400 - Buddy Good

2026

Signman

  • 2nd in the Harness Millions - 2 year old Colts and Geldings (Listed)

3 winners in a night

  • Cambridge (26 March)

2 winners in a night

  • Cambridge (2 April)

Beta Prepare

  • 1st in the Bay of Plenty Country Cup