VICTORIA’S NEWEST CLASSIC RACE SERIES

Friday 23 June 2023

Echuca Harness Racing Club will host the first of two heats in the new Heidi George Classic series on July 18, followed by a further heat at Swan Hill on July 26 and the $20,000 final at Bendigo on August 2. The series offers an opportunity for mid-class pacing mares to make their mark across an often quiet winter racing period.

Initiated by Kyabram standardbred stud Llowalong Farms, winners across the series will not only be competing for increased prizemoney but presentation rugs and free services to one of the stallions on Llowalong’s classy 2023 roster. The inaugural Heidi George Classic winner will also receive an etched crystal decanter trophy.

Llowalong Farms principal Dr Kath McIntosh said, “It’s so important for the broader industry to support mare and filly racing as it ensures we have viable commercial markets for fillies and sets up a progression to the breeding barn where all our race stock comes from. Llowalong Farms is proud to contribute through our support of this series, and with the addition of a stallion service to each winner, hopefully we can encourage owners to have a go at breeding this season too.”

The series is named after McIntosh’s two daughters, both avid equestriennes and harness racing fans. Llowalong Farms have just announced their full 2023 roster which includes freshman sire King Of The North for his first season down under, as well as the Australian pacing star with all-American bloodlines, Poster Boy. An open day where sires will be on parade will be hosted at the farm on Sunday 10 September. The stud is also continuing their $400,000 Stallion Bonus, which will see state futurity-eligible progeny by a select list of Llowalong sires able to add a $100,000 bonus to the state’s major stakes two-year-old races.

For more information, including race night bookings please contact the race clubs direct. For race programming and condition details, trainers and owners can refer to HarnessWeb.