Macklemore, better known as "Mackles" to Balclutha owner and rider Davinia McDonald, received the award for highest overall points in the in-hand class at the recent conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
Harness Racing New Zealand and the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders Association ran the competition in lieu of the cancelled 2026 Horse of the Year contest.
Entrants had to send in their top five results from Royal Agricultural Society/A&P shows from August 2025 to April 2026.
Points were then allocated depending on performance, with bonus points for those finishing champion or reserve champion.
McDonald said the highlight of her season was at the Otago-Taieri A&P Show in Mosgiel.
"We got Champion Led Standardbred, Champion Paced and Mannered Standardbred and Champion Open Ridden Standardbred.
"All at the same show on the same day — I’d struggle to do that again."
The office manager said she had only resumed riding a few years ago, in her 30s, having previously ridden in her teens.
The fact that Mackles was "not the easiest horse to train" made the journey to this year’s victory all the more special, she said.
"He’s got a big personality, lots of energy, and that can be hard to channel into consistent performances sometimes.
"The flipside of that is that he’s a big, sociable, friendly horse, and everyone loves him. He had a big grin when we received the award."
She put their shared success down to patiently "building a partnership".
"I’m stoked, honestly. I’ve reached my goals now so we might just do some A&P shows for fun.
"It’s great to see standardbreds getting the recognition for the versatile breed they are."
