John Smith

Fresh off his fifth USA driver of the year award in the last six years, New Zealand-born Dexter Dunn returns to Australia for the Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Challenge as a true global star of harness racing. Thirty-five-year-old Dunn, who claimed 10 New Zealand driving premierships in a row before venturing to the United States, was the very first driver announced for this inaugural series and will drive in the Entain (Ladbrokes) slot.

Dunn drove 304 winners in North America in 2024 to reclaim the driver of the year award with his best ever prizemoney tally of $16.645 million, which was more than $2 million clear of nearest rival Yannick Gingras.
His year was highlighted by winning a record six Breeders Crown championships at Meadowlands in October. Dunn is a household name in Australasian harness racing circles and is one of the most successful drivers produced in this part of the world, driving 2226 winners in New Zealand and 55 in Australia before relocating to USA 2018 where his impact has been phenomenal.

He is well known to Australian fans through his multiple visits to drive in some of our biggest races, highlighted by his association with Christen Me who won a Miracle Mile, Hunter Cup, Victoria Cup and Chariots of Fire.

He’ll be warmly welcomed back to Albion Park having driven with success in Brisbane in the past, winning the 2018 Group 1 Blacks A Fake with Let It Ride just before heading to the US.