Brad Williamson wins, and wins again, at Gore surging past 500
Jonny Turner • August 27th, 2025 9:45 AM • 4 min read
Brad Williamson made the inaugural Southern Surge Finals Day one to remember when driving his 500th winner in New Zealand.
The Oamaru horseman completed the feat in his own colours when Aint No Angel produced a decisive victory.
Williamson won’t find some of the biggest moments of his career among those 500 wins.
That’s because he’s driven seven winners in Australia, including three at Group One level and one Group Two.
“It took me a long time to crack the Group One thing but I got there eventually and managed to get three in Australia,” Williamson said. “So yeah, that has probably been the career highlight.”
In early 2021, Williamson and Majestic Man dominated the trotting scene across the ditch, clinching those three elite level wins.
They were part of an epic racetrack career for the horse Williamson rates as the best he’s been associated with.
“He had such a long career and I think of his 100 starts I think 70 of them were in Group races so that's quite incredible.”
“He basically raced against the best company his whole career and he was always competitive and tried his very hardest.”
“He was a very genuine trotter and hardly ever made a mistake, he was a privilege to handle and a thrill to be a part of his career.”
Williamson’s résumé in New Zealand is still outstanding, with 13 group and listed wins and a New Zealand Junior Driver’s Premiership to his name among his many achievements.
On his way to 500 victories, Williamson has made his mark in the training ranks. His 126 training wins have come at an excellent strike rate, with the latest two of those victories coming on Sunday.
It was Williamson’s grand campaigner Aint No Angel who carried him to his 500, carrying on a trend of standing up on harness racing’s big days.
“She's a handy mare on her day, she's gone some really nice races in the past.”
“I have had troubles with her, she doesn't seem to race quite as good in the summer.”
“She's a lot happier horse in herself in the winter months.”
“She's gone some cracking races in the winter and today's race is no different.”
“It worked out well obviously with a steady tempo being up front from a tough draw.”
“She actually won quite well at the finish.”
Training win number two at Gore and career driving win number 501 came when Mixed Faith dug in to win one of Sunday’s Southern Surge Finals. Like Aint No Angel, the trotter has campaigned for several seasons for Williamson.
As well as driving his 500th winner at Gore, Williamson broke through for his first victory at the same track with Graceandtemika in 2011.
