Three outstanding stablehands have been named regional winners for the 2025–26 New Zealand Stablehand of the Year Award, sponsored by Saddlery Warehouse Cambridge & Tauranga.

Pratap Singh of Wexford Stables has secured the Northern title, Casey Gilbert of Oulaghan Racing is the Central region winner, and Zac Harkess of Prendergast Racing has earned the Southern honour.

The regional awards recognise the skill, commitment and invaluable behind-the-scenes contribution stablehands make to New Zealand’s thoroughbred racing industry.

Pratap, Casey and Zac will now vie for the overall New Zealand Stablehand of the Year title, with the national winner to be revealed at the 2025–26 New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards.

The awards will celebrate the country ’s leading thoroughbreds and racing participants at the New Zealand International Convention Centre in Auckland on Sunday, 6 September 2026.