Major Ouch and Claire Downey’s long-awaited success at HOY

[Wandering Eyes]

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  

It’s been years in the making and Claire Downey is still in a bit of disbelief that she and her “Mr Reliable” Major Ouch are Horse of the Year winners.

Yesterday at equestrian’s biggest event, the Defender Horse of the Year show, the combo were crowned NZ Standardbred Breeders Association Ridden Standardbred of the Year at Hastings.

“It was a shock to the system, I can’t really believe it,” says Downey, “but I’m stoked to have won it with him.”

Over the years she has literally collected buckets of ribbons in the Show Ring but before yesterday she hadn’t won the title she wanted the most.

“This was Ouch’s fourth or fifth year in the Ridden class. So much time and effort and money go into it,” says Downey, “it was emotional.”

She has been close before, and just last year the pair finished third in both the Inhand and the Ridden disciplines.

So what changed this year?

“I thought beforehand he’s 17 now and maybe this is our swansong so I was pretty relaxed about it.”

“I just took the pressure off myself and thought he’s nothing left to prove to anyone.”

“He’s also had a much easier season. He’s only been to two shows and in the past he’s been to 12 or 13. He was the happiest he’s been.”

“If this is the last time we go to HOY what better way to finish?”

The win caps off a remarkable association between horse and rider.

Major Ouch was a six race winner on the track. The son of Art Major had four wins for dual New Zealand Cup-winning trainer Ray Green before getting injured.

In 2012 Downey then took the horse and re-educated him under saddle. She thought his racing days were over until she was noticed “he was just hooning around the paddock”.

After an absence of over two years, and after getting approval for Major Ouch’s owners John and Lynne Street, he returned to the racetrack, winning fresh up at Pukekohe. Trained by Claire’s husband Roydon and/or his late father Errol, Major Ouch also took out the 2014 Taranaki Cup.

Major Ouch finished racing at Hawera in 2015 after winning six races from 35 starts.

Since then he’s done all sorts of things in his life after racing – saddle paces, endurance races and of course many events in the show ring.

“I know him inside out,” says Downey, “he’s Mr Reliable, just the coolest easiest horse.”

While yesterday was a huge day in their lives together there was no time for celebration. They had an eight hour road trip back to Kumeu!

Tonight though they might be able to relax a bit with Claire off to see country star Chris Stapleton at Auckland’s Spark Arena.

Horse of the Year 2025 Results :

The NZ Standardbred Breeders Association Ridden Standardbred of the Year :

1st- Claire Downey and Major Ouch
2nd- Taylah Dolan and Michelangelo
3rd- Tash Higgs and You Can Fly Arden
4th- Chanelle Dickie and Eagles Nest
5th- Sarah Collinson and Smith Willow Bay
6th- Annie Eldershaw and Ideal Zen

The Harness Racing NZ Inhand Standardbred of the Year :

1st- Connor Hill and Hawk (pictured above)
2nd- Simon Higgs and Does It On His Ear
3rd- Chanelle Dickie and Eagles Nest
4th- Tash Higgs and You Can Fly Arden
5th- Christina Bird and Shake Your Bon Bon
6th- Alessandra MacFarlane and Seize the Moment

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