Meet the 2025 National Pony Racing Series Grand Finalists!

Meet the 2025 National Pony Racing Series Grand Finalists! 

Now in its second season, the National Pony Racing Series has once again made its trip around Australia, hosting both “Taster Weekends” and “Qualifying Races” in NSW, QLD, SA, WA, VIC and TAS.  

Pony Racing Australia is led by the Thoroughbred Industry Careers Team, in partnership with Pony Club Australia, and major industry sponsors that include the likes of Ranvet, Chris Waller Racing, Ciaron Maher Racing, Woppitt Bloodstock, Arrowfield, Magic Millions and more.  

Across the annual program, each state is host to a taster weekend where riders participate in two instructional riding days, covering skills such as 2-point seat, bridge reins, racing straight, race control and riding safety. Riders also receive a Horse Health talk from Ranvet, which demonstrates all the vital signs riders need to check on their own ponies in the lead up to racing, just as they would a thoroughbred, as well as personal fitness and racing careers sessions. Successful riders from the taster weekends are then invited to participate in their relevant states “qualifying race”, which has taken place this season at tracks including Newcastle, Gold Coast Turf Club, Murray Bridge, Ascot, Moonee Valley and Launceston! On race day, two categories are run, a small and a large pony (based on pony height), with the 1st and 2nd place getters progressing to the Grand Finals. 

After 8 months of the Series 2 making its way around the country, all state qualifiers have been run, and the successful riders and their ponies are now up on the Gold Coast preparing for Saturday’s Grand Final.  

Meet all the successful riders below! 

Small Pony Category  

• Allara Edwards and “Savanna” representing RANVET 

Allara is 11 years old and is from Northern Suburbs Pony Club. She qualified via the QLD Small Pony Race at Gold Coast Turf Club. She is travelling 96km to the finals! “Savanna” loves to play hide and seek! 

• Sophie Bink and “Dazzle Me” representing YULONG 

Sophie is 10 years old and is from Nerang Pony Club. She qualified via the QLD Small Pony Race where she crossed the line first! She is one of the most local competitors to the finals. “Dazzle” always yawns after putting her bridle on! 

• Leilani Anderson and “Cosmo” representing LIZZIE JELFS / RACE WITH LIZZIE 

Leilani is 12 years old and is from Stratford Pony Club. She qualified via the Victorian Small Pony Race. She is travelling 1612km to the finals. Cosmo, when not pony racing, is a mounted games pony. 

• Jack Cumming and “Poppy” representing FRANK AND CHRISTINE COOK 

Jack is 13 years old and is from Kyneton Pony Club. He qualified via the Victorian leg of the series. He will be travelling almost 1700km for the grand finals. Poppy’s favourite treat is carrots. 

• Olivia Hanby and “Pippa” representing THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS AUSTRALIA 

Olivia is 10 years old and is from Denman pony Club. Olivia qualified via the NSW Small Pony Race. She will be travelling over 800km to the Gold Coast. Pippa loves the camera and can even smile on command! 

• Annie Wilson and “Pie” representing INGLIS 

Annie is 15 years old and is from Brighton and South Midlands Pony Club. Annie qualified via the Tasmanian Small Pony Race. With her fellow Tasmanian riders, Annie and Pie are travelling over 2400km, with both sea and land to cross. Pie isn’t a fan of the rain, so hopefully the Gold Coast weather is shining bright! 

• Isabella Swain and “Jenny” representing ARROWFIELD 

Isabella is 15 years old and is from West Tamar Pony Club. Isabella qualified via the Tasmanian Small Pony Race at Longford Racecourse. Isabella is travelling almost 2300km to the Gold Coast for the finals. Jenny loves to go fast, so the pair are very excited to race! 

• Tahnee Dodgson and “Rosie” representing SWETTENHAM STUD 

Tahnee is 15 years old and is from Naracoorte Hunt Pony Club. Tahnee qualified via the South Australia Small Pony Race at Murray Bridge late last year. Her and Rosie will be travelling over 200km to the North East Coast. Does the name Rosie sound familiar? Well, that is because Rosie was a Grand Finalist in 2024 as well, representing Ranvet with Jockey Madi-Rose on board 

• Stacey Edwards and “Napoleon” representing CARL AND LORRAINE HOLT 

Stacey is 14 years old and is from Glenelg Pony Club. Stacey qualified via the South Australian Small Pony Race last year. Stacey and Napoleon will be travelling almost 2100km to the Gold Coast for the Grand Finals. Stacey will be looking to defend her National Title as her and Napoleon were the Small Pony Champions in 2024! 

Large Pony Category  

• Lillianna Meyervale and “Honey” representing RIDGMONT STUD 

Lillianna is 15 years old and is from Benalla Pony Club. She qualified via the Victoria Large Pony Race at Moonee Valley. She is travelling 1493km to the Gold Coast finals. Lillianna wants to be a jockey one day! 

• Montana Griffith and “Gidget” representing SEYMOUR BLOODSTOCK 

Montana is 13 years old and is from Gulgong Pony Club. She qualified via the NSW series at Newcastle Racecourse. She is travelling over 800km to the finals. Gidget loves ‘smoochies’ as her favourite post-race treat!  

• Mia Kehoe and “Mav” representing HERMITAGE THOROUGHBREDS 

Mia is 14 years old and is from Wyong Pony Club. Mia qualified via the NSW leg of the series at Newcastle racecourse. She will be travelling 750km to the Gold Coast. Racing with Mav is extra special as Mia trained Mav herself. 

• Maci Brownrigg and “Valor Princess Sparky” representing GODOLPHIN 

Maci is 12 years old and is from Mersey Valley Pony Club. Maci qualified via the first ever Tasmanian Pony Races. She is travelling a huge 2217km to the Gold Coast, which includes a boat trip! Valor Princess Sparky is super speedy and the pair are looking forward to the grand finals 

• Charli-Anne Bennet and “Tommy” representing CHRIS WALLER RACING 

Charli-Anne is 15 years old and is from Deloraine Pony Club. She qualified via the inaugural Tasmanian Pony Race finals. Charlie-Anne and Tommy will be travelling a huge 2258km one way to the Gold Coast to contest the title. Charlie-Anne is no stranger to long distance competition though, having represented Tasmania twice at the Pony Club Australia Nationals! 

• Sharmay Bleakley and “Ghost” representing PEACHESTER LODGE 

Sharmay is 15 years old and is from Woodford Pony Club. She qualified in the QLD Large Pony Race, taking home the victory. Sharmay and Ghost will be travelling 160km to the finals. Ghost is very cheeky, but together they make the perfect speedy pair! 

• Ayla Griffin and “Roxy” representing MAGIC MILLIONS 

Ayla is 13 years old and is from Woodford Pony Club. She qualified via the Large Pony Race at Gold Coast Tuf Club QLD. Ayla will be travelling 160km to the Gold Coast for the finals. Travelling to the races is all in a day’s work though for Roxy, as she is a race day companion pony for the thoroughbreds! 

• Zara Green and “Stella” representing PINECLIFF 

Zara is 11 years old and is from Southport Pony Club. She qualified via the QLD series in the large pony category. Zara is a local to the Gol Coast, with her Pony Club Soutport being the training and home base for all the finalists throughout the week. Zara tells us that Stella is a big horse trapped in a small pony’s body- so no doubt she will be channeling her inner “big horse” energy whilst racing down the straight! 

• Katie Diamond and “Gamble” representing WOPPIT BLOODSTOCK 

Katie is 11 years old and is from Oxenford Pony Club. Katie qualified via the Large Pony Race in the QLD State finals. Katie is also a local to the Gold Coast and will be showing the finalists from around the country what the area has to offer! Gamble loves going fast, so the pair are very excited to be competing in the Grand Finals! 

• Leah Bice and “Sugar” representing CIARON MAHER RACING 

Leah is 15 years old is from Beaudesert Pony Club. Leah qualified at the Gold Coast Large Pony Race. She is travelling 68km to the finals, and is excited to explore the Gold Coast. The name Sugar is a fitting one, as Leah tells us that Sugar is both a sweet and sassy pony! 

Good luck to all the amazing finalists! You have already made your clubs, states, families, friends, and representing silks extremely proud! We wish you safe racing and a week filled with fun!