THE Leeton Harness Racing Club cleaned up at a recent awards night for the state sporting body.
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Held in Sydney on the weekend, Harness Racing NSW used its annual awards night to recognise talented drivers, trainers and more across the state.
Clubs, volunteers and owners were also recognised.
Leeton shire’s David Eurell was named as the leading hobbyist trainer, with fellow resident Bob Pettit recognised for his hours of hard work with the Harness Racing NSW volunteer appreciation award.
The Leeton Harness Racing Club was named the best fraternity engagement club, while former resident Martelle Maguire, won the junior driver encouragement award that has earned her a trip to New Zealand.
She will be given the opportunity to work with top trainers Barry Purdon and Cran Dalgetty.
Leeton Harness Racing Club secretary Joanne Punch was pleased with the recognition.
“There’s a lot of hard work that happens behind the scenes by a lot of people,” she said.
“We always try to do the best job possible as a club and at our race meetings.”
Eurell has been training horses for 56 years and said the award was a good feeling.
“It’s certainly nice,” he said.
“I still love doing it even after 56 years.
“It gives you a reason to get up every morning.
“Hopefully I’ll still be doing it for a long time to come.”
There’s a lot of hard work that happens behind the scenes by a lot of people
- Leeton Harness Racing Club secretary Joanne Punch
For Pettit, he knew just how much effort was required to keep an organisation like the Leeton Harness Racing Club operational.
“If we didn’t have volunteers, there wouldn’t be a club,” he said.
“It’s not just me … our whole club is full of volunteers.
“I was a trainer and driver professionally, but now I focus on the other side of things.”
