Australian Harness Racing Awards - All Time
Joseph Coulter Media Awards
Literary Section
This Report updated to include 2023 Awards
Year  Category Winner Article
2023 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year CHRIS ROOTS "Richard knew": Wave of emotion builds from owner's dying wish (Sydney Morning Herald 01/09/2023)
  Graham Goffin Awards    
Best Feature of the Year ADAM HAMILTON Down Under's "Mr. Harness Racing" aims for third Inter Dominion in December (Harness Racing Update 19/11/2023)
  Best Regional Story TERRY GANGE Marathon Journey To A Sweet First Win (Harnesslink 4/10/2023)
  Best Historial Feature JOHN PECK Harness Racing - Always A Highlight at the Royal Melbourne Show (Melbourne Royal Virtual Museum website Dec 2023)
2022 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year TERRY GANGE Breeding Barn Miracle takes the first step (Harnesslink 29/11/2022)
  Graham Goffin Awards    
Best Feature of the Year PAUL COURTS Still The Biggest Highlight 44 Years Later (www.nationaltrotguide.com.au 04/03/2022)
  Best Regional Story TERRY GANGE Thanks For The Memories, Muz (Harnesslink 15/02/2022)
  Best Historial Feature LEN BAKER How The Wars Were Won When The Inter Dom Came To Victoria (thetrots.com.au 22/11/2022)
2021 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year ADAM HAMILTON Harness Racing's Vision to Resurrect Showgrounds (Racenet 27/07/2021)
  Graham Goffin Awards    
Best Feature of the Year KIERAN ILES  Group Joy for French Special on Many Fronts (Bendigo Advertiser 04/03/2021)
  Best Feature of the Year - Special Commendation TIARN SUTTON Here's to 1500 "old boy" (National Trotguide 01/08/2021)
  Best Regional Story KIERAN ILES Standing Ground:  Marong Light Harness Club Fights To Retain Trotting Track (Bendigo Advertiser 17/11/2021)
  Best Historial Feature NOEL RIDGE Harness History:  How the Allen's from Glenloth Reshaped the Trots (thetrots.com.au 24/11/2021)
2020 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year KIERAN ILES Rod Lakey back on board after 14-year hiatus (Bendigo Advertiser 03/04/2020)
  Graham Goffin Awards    
  Best Feature of the Year PAUL COURTS From Impossible to Kimpossible (National Trotguide 09/08/2020)
  Best Regional Story TOBY PRIME Still Plenty In The Tank (Geelong Advertiser 05/11/2020)
  Best Historial Feature ANDREW ADERMANN Wayne Campbell farewells once-in-a-lifetime Chip Del (www.harness.org.au 11/10/2020)
2019 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year CHRIS ROOTS Pizzuto and Tiger Tara cheat death for Inter Dominion Shot (Sydney Morning Herald 14/12/2018)
  Graham Goffin Awards    
  Best Feature of the Year DUNCAN DORNAUF An Ornament to the Game (National Trotguide & Harness Racing Weekly 13/9/18)
  Best Regional Story TERRY GANGE Elusive reward after 173 attempts (www.harnesslink.com 22/5/2019)
  Best Historial Feature NOEL RIDGE Bendigo Memorabilia a gateway to John Phyland's Story, From Sheep to Stallions (www.thetrots.com.au 25/4/19)
2018 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year LUKE HUMPHREYS Elitloppet 2018 (thetrots.com.au 24/05/2018)
  Graham Goffin Awards    
  Best Feature of the Year MICHAEL COURT This was one Miracle Mile Brian Hancock did have a hand in (National Trotguide 12/07/2018)
  Best Regional Story JOHN COFFEY From Royal Ascot to Gold Crown (TrackBred Winter 2018)
  Best Historical Feature ALAN PARKER Norm Craven, A Pioneer of WA Standardbred Breeding (TrackBred Winter 2018)
2017 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year LINCOLN MOORE Back in harness: Glory days return to Wayville (Adelaide Advertiser 14/6/2017)
  Graham Goffin Awards:    
  Best Feature of the Year PAUL COURTS Turning Tragedy into Triumph (www.harnessnews.com.au)
  Best Regional Story LUCY McCORMICK Meet Scruffy (Aug/Sept 2017 Harness Racer)
  Best Historical Feature JOHN PECK The Speedway - Real Horse Power at Albert Park (www.classicfamilies.net)
  - Highly Commended MAX AGNEW The real story of Globe Derby (Trackbred Winter & Spring 2016)
2016 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year PAUL COURTS Trainers devastated by SA blaze (www.harnessnews.com.au)
  Graham Goffin Awards:    
  Best Feature of the Year PAUL COURTS That's our Kerryn (www.harnessnews.com.au)
  Best Regional Story AMANDA RANDO Len's Journey (E-Gazette November 2015 Edition)
  Best Historical Feature JOHN PECK James Alfred Roberts
  - Highly Commended ALAN PARKER Amazing horseman (Racing Ahead - June/July 2016)
2015 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year MICHAEL COURT It's Dexter - By The Length Of The Straight (Harness Racing Weekly 5/3/2016)
  Graham Goffin Awards:    
  Best Feature of the Year AMANDA RANDO Building An Empire (National Trotguide 2/7/2015)
  - Highly Commended PAUL COURTS Irish Chasing Aussie Pot of Gold (www.harnessnews.com.au)
  Best Regional Story CHALPAT SONTI Harnessing The Track To Success (Seymour Telegraph 1/10/2014)
- Highly Commended GREGOR MACTAGGART Old Mates Horse About (Shepparton News 20/3/2015)
  Best Historical Feature MAX AGNEW Three Breeders Enter History Books (Trackbred Spring 2015)
2014 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year PAUL COURTS Trigger's final shot (Harness Racing Weekly 7/8/2014)
  - Highly Commended BERNIE PRAMBERG For the Love of the Game - The trots are back at the Ekka (Courier Mail 26/7/2014)
  Graham Goffin Awards:    
  Best Feature of the Year LUCY McCORMICK For the Love of the Game (Harness Racer April/May 2014)
  Best Historical Feature MAX AGNEW Broodmares are not created equal (Trackbred Spring Issue 2014)
  Best Regional Story MATT TAYLOR Cramp's shot at history in pacing cup (Sunraysia 12/4/2014)
2013 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year PAUL COURTS Aussie First - Spirit Horse (Harness Racing Weekly 8/11/2012)
  Graham Goffin Awards:    
  Best Feature of the Year AMANDA RANDO We'll Catch The Cheats (National Trotguide 23/5/2013)
  Best Historical Feature JOHN PECK Harness Racing In The 19th Century (Harness Racing International Oct 2012-Feb 2013)
  Best Regional Feature RAELEE (TUCKERMAN) EENJES Racehorses Finding Their Unharnessed Potential (Bendigo Advertiser 20/4/2013)
  Best Regional Story (Special Commendation) MAITLAND MERCURY 50th Inter City Pace (January 2013)
2012 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year MICHAEL COURTS Vindicated (National Trotguide 5/4/2012)
Graham Goffin Awards:
Best Feature of the Year PAUL COURTS Ain't no mountain high enough for Hill (Harness Racing Weekly 7/6/2012)
Best Historical Feature ALAN PARKER The Inters in Perth (The West Australian's TABForm January & February 2012)
Best Regional Feature TONY LOGAN Farewell Old Mate (Wimmera Mail Times 13/7/2012)
2011 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year CHRIS ROOTS Records Requested as Scandal Widens (Sydney Morning Herald 10/8/11)
Graham Goffin Awards:
Best Feature of the Year AMANDA RANDO Thanks For The Memories (National Trotguide 4/8/11)
Best Historical Feature NATIONAL TROTGUIDE Farewell to the Park (National Trotguide 16/12/10) Part1, Part2, Part3
2010 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year ANDREW GEORGIOU The End Is Near (National Trotguide 19/8/10)
Graham Goffin Awards:
  Best Feature of the Year JOHN PECK & KEN DYER Women in Harness Racing (Harness Racing International July/August 2010)
Best Historical Feature ADAM HAMILTON Moonee Valley Magic (Herald Sun 4/2/10)
2009 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year ANDREW GEORGIOU Record Distributions Marks Grim Reality (National Trotguide 13/8/09)
Graham Goffin Awards:
Best Feature of the Year MATTHEW STEWART Majoring in Good Luck (Herald Sun 6/2/09)
  Best Historical Feature NICK HOOPER Origins of Horse Racing Parts 1,2,3 & 4 (NSW Gazette June/July/August/September 2009
2008 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year JOHN PECK The Man Behind Cold Mountain Stud (Harness Racing International July/August 2008
Graham Goffin Awards:
Best Feature of the Year MATTHEW STEWART The Saviour (Herald Sun 13/12/2007)
  Best Historical Feature MAX AGNEW The Harnessing of a Dream - The Story of Night Trotting at Mildura
2007 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year BRENT ZERAFA Shadow falls on Harold Park (Daily Telegraph 6/7/07)
Graham Goffin Awards:
  Best Feature of the Year NEALE DONNELLEY He's No Fake (Harness Edge, Canada April 2007)
Best Historical Feature KEN DYER Historical Stud Farm Series - Wonbobbie (Harness Racing International January/February 2007)
2006 'Joseph Coulter' Best News Story of the Year ANDREW GEORGIOU HRNSW Introduce Revolutionary Scheme (National Trotguide 10/8/2006)
Graham Goffin Awards:
Best Feature of the Year DARREN DAVIS Mildura Cup Carnival (Sunraysia Daily Newspaper 4&8/4/2006
Best Historical Feature KEN DYER Joseph Hamilton Coulter - The Last Historian (Harness Racing International November/December 2005)
2005 Best Feature Story JOHN PECK Gambling Wars (Harness Racing International (September/October 2004)
Best News Story ANDREW GEORGIOU Industry to Prepare Massive Backlash Against New Policy (National Trotguide 30/8/2005)
Graham Goffin Awards:
Historical KEN DYER The Riddle Dynasty (Harness Racing International July/August 2005)
Biography KEN DYER JC Skull: Velvet Glove - Iron Fist (Harness Racing International September/October 2004)
2004 Best Feature Story (tied) ANDREW McNAIR Kevin's Holding The Breeding Reins (Harness Racing International November/December 2003)
MATTHEW STEWART Justice At Last (Herald Sun 19/12/03)
Best News Story ANDREW GEORGIOU "Pirates" A Threat to Sport - Dumesny (National Trotguide 15/7/04)
Graham Goffin Awards:
Historical KEN DYER The Marble Bath Story Reconsidered (Harness Racing International July/August 2004)
Biography (tied) KEN DYER The Exile - William James Tompkinson (Harness Racing International May/June 2004)
JOHN DUNNE It's All Sweet For Sugars (Harness Racing Weekly 15/7/2004)
2003  Best Feature Story IAN HUMMERSTON Everybody's Sweetheart (Trackbred Winter 2003)
   Best News Story (tied) NOEL OVINGTON Police Called (National Trotguide 5/9/2002)
    ADAM HAMILTON Neighbours Foil $2m Horse Kidnap Attempt (Herald Sun 5/9/2002)
   Graham Goffin Awards:    
      Historical KEN DYER Further Back Than Walla Walla (Harness Racing International July/August 2003)
      Biography JOHN DUNNE Daryl Douglas - A Man In a Hurry (Harness Racing Weekly 28/11/2002)
2002 Best Feature Story MARSHALL DOBSON Whips - Drivers Call For Stricter Control (Australian Standardbred June 2002)
  Best News Story PAUL COURTS Industry Faces Shutdown (Harness Racing Weekly 27/6/2002)
  Graham Goffin Awards:    
      Historical PETER COLLIER 50th Anniversary of Night Trotting at Shepparton (Harness Racing International November/December 2001)
        Biography KEN DYER Blessed by the luck of the Irish (Harness Racing International March/April 2002)
2001 Best Feature Story MARSHALL DOBSON Wayne's World! (Australian Standardbred December 2000/January 2001)
  Best News Story ADAM HAMILTON Busse Heads HRV Board (Herald Sun 1/11/2000)
  Graham Goffin Awards:    
      Historical PETER COOLEY Tasmanian Industry Honours Edgar Tatlow (Harness Racing International March/April 2001)
      Biography FELICITY BRYANT Bobby Hunter - Like No Other (Qld Harness Racing Gazette December 2000)
2000 Best Feature Story MARK LAWRENCE The Breeding Files
  Best News Story ADAM HAMILTON & TANYA TAYLOR Surrogate Mums For Race Stars
  Graham Goffin Awards:    
    Historical JOHN PECK Form Guides - Have They Moved With The Times
    Biography MATTHEW STEWART Late Knight Show
1999 Best Feature Story MARSHALL DOBSON Advice to New Owners from Mick Lombardo (WA), Tony Pace (NSW) and Tony Price (QLD)
  Best News Story MELANIE COE Owners To Raid The "Bickie Jar"
  Graham Goffin Awards:    
      Biography JOHN DUNNE When You Wish Upon A Star
1998 Daily (Best Story) MATTHEW STEWART Hancock, Master of the Silky Sulky Skills
  Weekly NOEL OVINGTON Celebrations All Round
  Magazine MARK REED The Winning Brew
  Graham Goffin Awards:    
      Historical ALAN PARKER Arthur Gaukroger & Tommy Dillon - A Formidable Combination
      Biography JOHN DUNNE The Mick Lombardo Story, Pts 1 & 2
1997 Daily (Best Story) MATTHEW STEWART The daddy of 'em all, by George
  Weekly NEALE DONNELLEY Lisa Finds Justice Behind the Rainbow
  Magazine MELANIE COE Ausfahrt 212 to Traben in Baden
  Graham Goffin Awards:    
      Historical ALAN PARKER Did WA-Bred Trotter Go Ashore at Gallipoli?
      Biography PETER TAYLOR Achiever - Kevin Seymour
1996 Daily (Best Story) MICHAEL COWLEY Old-timer's Memory of Hallowed Ground
  Weekly PETER SWEENEY He Was Pure Magic
  Magazine MELANIE COE Club Bosses Back United Front
  Graham Goffin Awards:    
      Historical ALAN PARKER Influential Sire, But No Stud Book Records
      Biography JOHN McGRATH Ross Olivieri
  Magazine Excellence: GORDON LOCKMAN (Trackbred)  
    MAX AGNEW (Inter Dominion Publication  
1995 Daily (Best Story) SIMON DULHUNTY Hope is a drug for the addicts.  It's daybreak at the dream factory
  Weekly STEVE MILES Twelve Steps to Destruction
  Magazine MELANIE COE It's All Over for Margaret
  Graham Goffin Awards:    
      Historical ALAN PARKER New Norcia Monastery
      Biography ALAN PARKER Alfred Fox
1994 Best Story LES CARLYON Like the Great Cardigan Bay
  Daily ADAM HAMILTON Chokin Sets Sights on Double Whammy
  Weekly PETER SWEENEY No Rest for Inter Dominion Hero
  Magazine JOHN PECK It Doesn't Get Any Better
  Graham Goffin Awards:    
      Historical BOB LUTHERBORROW The Origin of the Standardbred
      Biography ALAN PARKER The Fairest and the Best
      Biography - Horse TONY HURLEY Frank Smith and a Grandson of Globe Derby
1993 Best Story DENNIS MARKHAM The Grand Old Ladies of Trotting
  Daily GINO DE MORI Jack Morris Won't Race in Australia
  Weekly MELANIE COE You're Gonna Get Caught
  Magazine PETER HELME Releasing The Pressure Valve
  Graham Goffin Awards:    
      Historical BOB CAIN Kentucky Stock Farm
      Biography GRAEME PROSSER Darkie
      Biography - Horse ALAN PARKER Westburn Grant - The Perth Connection
1992 Best Story STEVE MILES The Horse From The Bush
  Daily MICHAEL COWLEY An Ugly Duckling Buries His Shame
  Weekly RICHARD TREMBATH On The Level
  Magazine PETER HELME Tears of Pain, Tears of Joy
  Graham Goffin Awards:    
      Historical ALAN PARKER What's In A Name
      Biography TONY HURLEY The Nullabor Was A Hazardous & Daunting Prospect
1991 Best Story RICHARD TREMBATH A Knight to Remember
  Daily MICHAEL COWLEY Vitaly
  Weekly PETER HELME Top Harness Pair Quit
  Monthly MAX AGNEW A Mob of Sheep
  Historical KEN CASELLAS The Bell Tolls
  Biography TERRY NEIL A Man of Stature
1990 Best Story MARSHALL DOBSON The 1980s - An Era of Change
  Daily GINO DE MORI Village Kid?
  Weekly MICHAEL COWLEY Adios to a Champion
  Monthly GRAHAM GOFFIN Adios Old Buddy
  Historical MAX AGNEW Revered Stallion a Product of Bathurst
  Biography PETER HELME The Caldow Story
1989 Best Story ROSS NOBLE A Humble Beginning
  Daily MICHAEL COWLEY Ellis Street
  Weekly RICHARD TREMBATH Rest Easy Girl
  Historical KEN CASELLAS Kersley Dynasty
  Biography RON MEULEMAN Talent Incorporated
1988 Daily (Best Story) JOHN LINGARD Minkle Doo
  Monthly ROBERT WHITE No One's Canning Walter Now
  Magazine GRAHAM GOFFIN Master of Harness
  Historical LINDA TREMBATH The First 40 Years
  Biography GARY REID When Bitten
1987 Daily (Best Story) MICHAEL COWLEY Lightning's courage stems for an old timer
  Weekly ANDREW CARTER Golden Race for Four Year Olds
  Monthly DES BUCKLEY Phenylbutazone - If you can't spell it - don't use it
  Historical GRAHAM GOFFIN Vic Harness Racing Tracks - Series
  Biography RICHARD TREMBATH He's An Old Marvel - by George
1986 Daily (Best Story) MICHAEL McCORMACK Precious Cup overfloweth with history
  Weekly JOHN LINGARD Bert's wild days are over
  Monthly DES BUCKLEY Bede W. Ireland
  Historical BOB CAIN Parker
  Biography GARY REID Three out of Three
1985 Daily/Weekly NEALE DONNELLEY Mates with a Memory
  Monthly ADRIAN DUNN Phillips Labour of Love
  Historical ALAN PARKER Harness Racing - Plenty of Drive and History in WA
  News RICHARD TREMBATH A Girl with a will to win
1984 Daily/Weekly OWEN DALLY Broodmare flop creating history
  Monthly KEN BOMAN Steel Jaw and Norm Lang
  Historical BOB CAIN Dan Patch
1983 Daily/Weekly RAY HUXLEY $450 mare brings out Luck of the Irish
  Historical PETER FORD Harness Heritage
1982  Daily/Weekly RICHARD TREMBATH A Breeders Lament
  Historical JOHN BARNETT Gloucester Park - Home of the Inter Dominion
1981 Daily/Weekly BOB CAIN From A Pony to a Premiership
  Monthly RAY HUXLEY Le Roi Est Mort
  Historical MAX AGNEW Australia's Most Spectacular Trotting Venture
1980 Daily/Weekly RICHARD TREMBATH Was Justice Too Hasty with Probation
  Historical MAX AGNEW Our most Controversial Official
1979 Daily/Weekly BILL WHITTAKER Twice The Fun
    TONY NELSON Demmler
    JOHN MCGRATH Ask Jack Jones
  Monthly GARY KEEP Worthy Title Winner
    DANNY POWER Father Glasheen Pacing Priest
  Historical PETER COOLEY Trotting In Tasmania
    MAX AGNEW Australia's First Queen of Trotting
1978 Daily/Weekly RICHARD TREMBATH Might of the Maori
1977 Daily/Weekly GRAHAM GOFFIN & DAVE WILSON Inside Trotting
1976 Not Awarded      

 

For Awards information pre-2001 refer to the Australian Harness Racing Annual

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