Brittany Graham on her NZ gig – “daunting but exciting”

[Wandering Eyes]

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk  

A mixture of the familiar and the unknown awaits well-known racing personality Brittany Graham as she prepares to take up a new job on this side of the Tasman.

This week the born and bred Queenslander starts her new job with Entain/TAB. She’ll be a presenter on Trackside  on shows including The Box Seat and Friday Night Lights.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous,” says Graham, “but it’s good nerves.

“It’s a bit daunting but exciting too.”

The harness racing part of the job is not an issue.

“Harness racing really is my whole life .. it’s been all-consuming.”

So where does the “unknown” part come in?

That’s the move to New Zealand.

“I’ve never lived overseas. Apart from two years in Sydney I’ve lived my whole life in Queensland.”

“I’m also a country girl at heart who’s moving to a new country and a new city.”

Graham will be based in Christchurch where she’s already secured an inner city apartment.

Graham is no stranger to Trackside audiences in this country through her work as a presenter for Sky Racing in Australia.

“This is a real coup. Brittany is a rare talent,” says Entain’s Chief Media Officer Chris Haigh, “her expertise and infectious presenting style will be a fantastic addition to our strong talent line-up.”

Harness Racing New Zealand Chief Executive Brad Steele agrees :
 
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Brittany Graham to New Zealand as she brings her exceptional knowledge, passion, and fan engagement skills to our harness racing industry. As one of Queensland’s most respected racing personalities, Brittany has a unique ability to connect with both dedicated racing enthusiasts and new fans alike.”

As well as her talents as a broadcaster Graham is also a successful trainer and driver in her own right. She’s had 310 wins as a driver and 41 as a trainer with the highlight being a fifth with her horse Majestic Harry in the 2022 Inter Dominion won by the all conquering Just Believe.

2025 represents a fresh start – so why the move?

“I get asked this a lot. Things (harness racing) are going pretty well over there so why not? It’s right place right time really.”

“I got to the position where I knew everyone and the horses and you get a bit complacent at times and this is going to be very much a new challenge.”

Graham won’t be bringing any horses with her.

“I was going to bring Majestic Harry but by the time I got settled with him it would have been winter and he’s eight years old.”

“So I’ve retired him and he’ll become a show horse.”

Longer term she has plans to train one or two.

“I’m used to being hands-on with horses. Getting up and working the horses is what I do.”

“I’d love to have a horse that I could take to the summer circuit races and the grass tracks – that would be fun.”

One of Graham’s trademarks is her pre-race interviews with drivers.

“To be walking around the track and siding up to Grant Dixon and Leap To Fame just before they turn into the gates for the Miracle Mile is pretty cool.”

It’s a hit in Australia and it’s something she plans to do here as well.

“Drivers are much more open about things. They are aware their competitors can’t hear them and those who can know that it’s too late to change tactics!”

 “She will take NZ’s harness coverage to a new level with her pre and post race interviews out on the track, bringing the buzz of the sport into people’s living rooms,” says  Adam Hamilton, Entain’s Head of Group Talent and Racing, Australia and New Zealand.    

“Her arrival is a huge asset as we continue to showcase to the world just how exciting and world-class our New Zealand harness racing product truly is,” says Steele, “Welcome, Brittany – we can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make!”

Graham will  make some guest appearances on Trackside initially, with her first big gig being part of the team on-course for Cambridge’s Night of Champions on Friday, April 4 that features the $1m Race by betcha and the $600,000 TAB Trot.

“I’m ready to get stuck in!”

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