HRNSW & Nutrien join forces to launch $3M juvenile race series in Wagga

14 August 2025

Harness Racing New South Wales (HRNSW) is pleased to announce a significant $3million partnership over three years with leading agribusiness and equine Sales Company Nutrien Ag Solutions. 

This landmark partnership will see the running of the Nutrien Juvenile Series, for two and three-year-old pacers and trotters, at Riverina Paceway from May 2026. 

The Nutrien Juvenile Series provides substantial prizemoney and opportunities for young horses. This compliments NSW’s thriving racing landscape of elite youth-focused programs including the Bathurst Gold Crown Series as well as the Nutrien Equine NSW Breeders Challenge Series, further cementing NSW as the national leader in juvenile harness racing. 

Nutrien Equine Director Mark Barton welcomes this new collaboration, highlighting its importance for the future of the sport. 

“Nutrien and HRNSW are strategically aligned, and we believe this commitment demonstrates our long-term belief in the harness racing industry in NSW,” said Barton. 

“This series is about giving breeders, owners and trainers greater incentive and more opportunities to compete at the highest level with their young horses.” 

HRNSW Chief Executive Officer Peter Buckman praised the partnership as a defining step forward in building industry sustainability and commercial partnerships.

“Nutrien have been a long-standing supporter of harness racing and a respected partner to the equine community,” said Buckman.

“We share the same values – integrity, innovation, and a focus on the future.

“This partnership not only reinforces our strategic direction, but it also shows that large corporate organisations want to engage with our sport in meaningful ways.

“The Nutrien Juvenile Series will be a flagship event in regional NSW, and HRNSW is committed to supporting it with the same energy and focus as our Carnival of Cups – combining world-class racing with genuine community celebration.”

As part of this strategic partnership, HRNSW will provide comprehensive support to the series including premier on-course event entertainment on the flagship finals night to engage with the Riverina community as well as attract broader audiences.  

The Wagga Harness Racing Club, long recognised as a key venue within Australian harness racing, will serve as the host venue for the Nutrien Series, helping to position Wagga as a hub for elite juvenile competition.

Further details, including the full race schedule, entry conditions and entertainment will be announced in the coming months.

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HRNSW RACING CONTACT:

BRETT SCELLY | GM RACING & INFRASTRUCTURE

bscelly@hrnsw.com.au • (02) 9722 6614

 

HRNSW MEDIA CONTACT:

AMANDA RANDO | MEDIA LIAISON MANAGER

arando@hrnsw.com.au •  @Amanda_Rando • (02) 9722 6600