DRIVING HORSE & PONY CLUB OF BERMUDA

The first meeting of The Driving Horse & Pony Club of Bermuda (D.H.P.C.) was held on July 4, 1973 and even though the purpose of the Club has transitioned from hosting driving shows to harness racing, the relaxation and enjoyment people have in watching driving remains the same.

 

Harness racing is a worldwide sport but in Bermuda the challenge of racing has higher demands due to the size and shape of our race track. Competitors and spectators feel the power of the ponies as they strive to do what they do best which is go fast and win.  This sport requires dedication, determination and commitment from its competitors but it is also dependent upon a strong support group, like any other sport.  The Club’s Executive Committee, its membership and those that have an interest in the Club are all volunteers and are committed to working together to ensure a strong foundation by which the sport of harness racing can continue to develop and grow. 

 

The Executive Committee’s objective is to improve upon this sport and to provide social entertainment for families and businesses.  This year’s harness racing season has attracted the highest level of junior drivers that the Club has had in many years as well as seasoned drivers.  We therefore anticipate increased spectator attendance for this upcoming season.

 

The main events during the season continue to be the Boxing Day and New Year's Day Stake Races and the Champion of Champions weekend.

 

The Boxing Day Stakes are held on Boxing Day and have proven year over year to be a spectator favorite with finals being held on New Year's Day.  There are four race categories which include the two year old's, three year old's, four year old's and aged ponies. The four fastest ponies from each category will advance to the final dash while any remaining ponies in each category will advance to the consolation race for that category. 

 

The Grand Finale of the harness racing season is the Champion of Champions which is a two day race weekend scheduled for the last race weekend in the season and involves the fastest eligible ponies from the current race season regardless of the age of the ponies. These ponies will race it out to determine the ultimate winner and therefore the Champion of all Champions.

On the Friday evening before Champion of Champions race weekend, a Calcutta dinner will be hosted where the eligible and entered ponies will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Then the very next day these ponies will hit the track and race it out ~ owners/trainers/drivers will draw for their ponies post-position. The fastest average times will move onto the finals on the second race day. 

It is also the hope of the Executive Committee to be able to bring back the Best 3 Series stakes races in a future race season.