Brad Williamson 400

Bruce Stewart Journalist

Oamaru reinsman Brad Williamson achieved a major milestone on Friday night when he drove Majestic Man for his 400^th New Zealand win.

Majestic Man is trained by his father Phil who’s provided Brad with one hundred and fifty six of his four hundred winners and Majestic Man has been far and away the reinsman’s biggest winner.

Majestic Man getting up on the inside for win 400 for Brad Williamson- Photo Race Images

In Friday night’s feature trot Williamson settled the gelding three back on the inside and he came home strongly to win by a half a head from The Dominator.

“He normally likes to lead over those shorter trips, but The Dominator wanted to lead so I was happy to give him that sort of run. He’s not as sharp as he was as a young horse but he’s still a really nice horse and has been a victim of running into some nice horses over the last two or three seasons,” Williamson said.

The return to the birdcage – Photo Race Images

Williamson has been driving for ten seasons and he says Majestic Man has provided the highlight of his career so far.

“Running in and winning those big races in Australia was the highlight of his career and mine at the same time. Covid was around at that time and no one else was keen to go. We rolled the dice and went, and it’s what people will remember him for.”

Friday’s win was the horse’s first in New Zealand since January 2021 and Williamson says his father will map out a plan for the horse with the Ashburton Mile and Cup Week the main goals.

“I would think he’ll race here until Cup Week and Dad and the Syndicate will then decide on where he races. It’ll depend on how the horse is going.”

After the race

He says driving in Australia was a great experience.

“Driving in the Group Ones over there was a bit of a buzz. They do drive differently over there, and it does take a bit of getting used to. They’re a lot more aggressive out the gate. I think here in New Zealand we’re far more likely to have a go at the front midrace than they are. They know their speed maps a lot better. A lot of senior drivers can tell you what going to happen before the race is run.”

Brad acknowledges his family has been very important in steering his driving career in the right direction.

“Dad started it for us all, me, Matty and Nathan. Dad’s been the biggest influence but even though Nathan’s in Southland we talk a lot on the phone.”

He says Branxholme trainer Alister Black has also been a big supporter.

“When I finished as a junior Matty was still Dad’s main driver. At the end of my junior career, I started to drive a lot for Alister Black and the Thompson boys. Outside of family they’ve been my biggest supporters. Alister does an outstanding job with his horses and Ian and Lindsay have been superb to drive for.”

Black has provided Williamson with fifty three winners.

In 2018 Williamson started his training career and has trained sixty nine winners.

“I’ve been more interested in the training side of things for a long time. I enjoy getting a young horse, getting it going and trying to take it through the grades. You just get a lot of satisfaction.”

He states the Dominion Handicap is the race he’d most like to win.

Brad Williamson fact file:

First winning drive: August 2011-Gore-Graceandtamika – Geoff and Jude Knight

Best season: 2016 – His last season as a junior when he drove 70 winners. He was crowned New Zealand Junior Driver on the Year beating Kyle Marshall (39) and Craig Ferguson (33)

Most winning drives: Phil Williamson (156), Alister Black (53) Own (43)

Major Race wins- New Zealand:

Major Wins-Australia