Nathan building his own harness racing dream

7 March 2024

AMANDA RANDO |

Nathan Leonard might be a construction project supervisor by day but hailing from a family steeped in harness racing history it comes as no surprise he has been lured to the sport.

The 28-year-old has followed in the footsteps of his family and last August started training his own horses at Bankstown.

And just like his late grandfather John ‘Jack’ Leonard and dad Garry Leonard, it has not taken long for Leonard to taste success in the game.

At just his eighth starter, Leonard entered his name into the winners’ circle following the success of his pacer Royal Vincent at Penrith on February 29.

The three-year-old gelding was also having his eighth start and secured the win by more than 10m in a mile rate of 1:57.3 at the reins of Chris Geary. Watch the replay here.

“It was a great feeling to get that first win,” Leonard said.

“I was just as surprised with the win as I was with how well the horse went and how he did it!”

Royal Vincent is the only horse Leonard has in his care for now, however, this recent success has made him think about expanding his team.

“I’m a project supervisor for a construction company and have been doing that for nine years,” Leonard said.

“Work is flexible with me training horses which helps a great deal and I’d love to train more horses.

“I have a pretty big year ahead though . . . I have a big job opening and I’m getting married this year too but if I could squeeze in a couple of more horses I will.

“My dad and pop trained horses full-time and I’ve always loved being around the horses but was encouraged to get a qualification outside the industry.

“I went to university and studied a Bachelor of Construction Management and now train horses as a hobby.

“I helped Joe Mauro during Covid and it was not long after that I decided to get my own horse to train.

“Dad still helps me around the stables and after Royal Vincent’s win, pretty sure Dad will be looking on the Trading Ring to get another horse,” Leonard laughed.