Sport
26 November, 2020
Jason Lee wins inaugural “The Gav”
ECKLIN harness racing driver Jason Lee walked away with more than just a handful of strong results over the Breeders Crown finals across the weekend.
ECKLIN harness racing driver Jason Lee walked away with more than just a handful of strong results over the Breeders Crown finals across the weekend.
Alongside victories in the finals, the 25 year-old became the inaugural winner of a new prestigious award called “The Gav”, a trophy honouring one of Australia’s best harness racing drivers in Gavin Lang.
Lang died earlier this year after a battle with cancer, with Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) creating “The Gav” trophy and awarding it to the most successful Breeders Crown driver of the series.
Drivers collected points on a 3-2-1 basis over the two nights for running in the top three, with Lee picking up the most points across the finals program.
“I was lucky enough to get the highest points for the weekend and while it was great to have all the wins, out of the entire weekend the award was the biggest thrill,” Lee said.
“When I heard about it during the week I thought how great it was and to get the phone call this morning (Tuesday) saying I won Gav’s award, which I think will become an iconic award, was unreal.
“It’s a sad story to lose him so early; he was still driving only six months ago and while the wins were all great, collecting that award was amazing.”
Lee, who grew up attending many Breeders Crown events, finished the weekend with his 12th career group one victory as well as two group two wins.
He drove Im Ready Jet to victory in the $80,000 Catanach Jewellers Breeders Crown Series 22 final for three year-old trotting fillies on Saturday night.
The Friday evening saw him win the group two Breeders Crown Championship for four year-old mares with Keayang Livana, as well as the four year-old trotting colts and geldings edition with Always Ready.
He said he was thrilled with his results.
“I also had a second on Dance Craze and Jilliby Nitro and it would have been great to have pinched those races as well but it was terrific to get the chance to drive classy stock and horses,” Lee said.
“To be honest I gave the majority of my drives a chance before their races and although we don’t do it for the money, it is a job when it comes down to it.
“It was an opportunity to make something of the weekend; we work hard to do this so to be able to go well makes all the long days, late nights and early starts worthwhile.
“It was unreal to win a group one, get the other wins as well and all round have a good weekend.”
Lee thanked his family, friends, staff, owners and trainers for the supporting his career, adding the next six weeks would again be busy for the industry as it prepares for the VicBred series.
Those events were pushed back from their original July timeslot, creating a bonanza of group one racing in the spring and summer months this year.
Lee said it would be an exciting time for the area, with local trainers and drivers not only expected to feature on the big stage but also be prominent.
“I’d like to thank them all for their support because I couldn’t do it without the staff at home and all the trainers and owners supporting me,” he said.
“The next period is going to be exciting for the area and hopefully we can all go down and not only hold our own but also win some of these big races and bring them back to the area.”