Junee’s Cameron Hart delivered a masterclass performance to guide the brilliant four-year-old mare Captains Mistress to a thrilling victory in the $1 million Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Pacing Final at Albion Park on Saturday night.
The capacity crowd at “The Creek” was treated to one of the great races in the event’s storied history as Captains Mistress, trained by Jason Grimson, fought off a determined late challenge from superstar and legend of the sport, Leap To Fame to score by a narrow 1.2 metres. The winning time of 1:51.8 for the 2680-metre journey shattered the previous track record by a full second, underlining the extraordinary quality of the performance.
Hart executed a perfect tactical ride. Positioned ideally throughout, he kept the favourite under pressure while preserving enough in the tank for a stirring finish. “She’s got a champion’s mentality,” Hart said post-race. “She just does not want to get beaten.”
The young driver added that Captains Mistress was a joy to drive. “She’s such a beautiful mare to drive. She’s so relaxed. She’s just brilliant.”
For trainer Jason Grimson, the win marked his third Inter Dominion success, following previous victories with I Cast No Shadow and Boncel Benjamin. The mare, a daughter of Captaintreacherous out of Imaginary Bet, is raced by the prolific owner Mick Boots of Boots Properties Racing.
The result capped a dominant Inter Dominion campaign for the New Zealand-bred mare, who had earlier obliterated the track record in the Rising Sun. Her victory denied Leap To Fame a repeat success and sent shockwaves through the harness racing world, with many observers already hailing it as a “race for the ages.”
Captains Mistress’s triumph not only secured the $1 million prize but also cemented her status as one of the premier pacing mares in the Southern Hemisphere. With her combination of speed, toughness, and heart, she appears destined for further Group 1 glory.
Hart, who has now claimed multiple elite-level wins and continues to turn heads with his maturity and horsemanship. His connection with Captains Mistress has produced magic, and fans will eagerly await their next chapter together.
What’s next?
Connections have indicated the mare will be given time to recover before targeting further major features, though a New Zealand return for the Cambridge event appears unlikely at this stage.
Harness racing enthusiasts will remember July 18, 2026, as the night a young driver and a superstar mare etched their names into Inter Dominion folklore.
To highlight Hart’s success with his mare we have provided some background on who he beat.
In the high-octane world of Australian harness racing, one name stands above all others in recent years: Leap to Fame. The seven-year-old pacing superstar, affectionately known to connections as “Larry,” has delivered a masterclass in domination that has rewritten record books, thrilled fans, and earned him a permanent spot in the sport’s pantheon.
Foaled on 5 November 2018 in Australia, Leap to Fame is by the elite American sire Bettor’s Delight out of the proven mare Lettucereason (by Art Major). Bred by Redbank Lodge Standardbreds, he is a half-brother to fellow champion pacer Swayzee. Owned by Queensland’s Kevin and Kay Seymour through Solid Earth Pty Ltd, the horse has been trained and driven almost exclusively by the master horseman Grant Dixon of the Dixon Racing stable.
From modest beginnings as a two-year-old in 2021, Leap to Fame quickly announced himself as something special. His three-year-old season in 2022 was sensational, sweeping Group 1 Derbies across New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria while also claiming the NSW Breeders Challenge Final. But it was as a four-year-old in 2023 that he truly exploded onto the national stage.
That year he won 12 of 16 starts, including the Group 1 Rising Sun, Sunshine Sprint, and — most significantly — his first Inter Dominion Pacing Championship at Albion Park in December. The victory launched what has become one of the most dominant periods in modern pacing history.
2024 brought near-unbeatable form: 15 wins from 16 starts, highlighted by the A G Hunter Cup and his first Miracle Mile Pace. A health setback prevented him from contesting the 2024 Inter Dominion, but he returned in 2025 stronger than ever. He captured a second Inter Dominion crown at Albion Park in July, becoming only the eighth pacer to win multiple editions of the $1 million classic.
His career ledger now reads approximately 68 wins, 14 seconds, and 3 thirds from 87 starts, with career earnings exceeding $6.3 million — figures that place him among the richest and most successful pacers in southern hemisphere history. He has been named Australian Harness Horse of the Year in 2023 and 2024, and was inducted into the Queensland Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2024.
Unparalleled Domination and Record-Breaking Performances
Leap to Fame’s signature trait is his ability to win from almost any position while frequently setting track records. He has been virtually unbeatable at his Brisbane home track of Albion Park, where he has posted dozens of victories, including a remarkable 26 wins from his previous 27 starts there as of mid-2026. Major triumphs in 2026 alone include a track-record Ballarat Pacing Cup, a third consecutive Cranbourne Gold Cup (also in track-record time), and his second Miracle Mile Pace victory.
His regular driver and trainer, Grant Dixon, has forged an unbreakable partnership with the horse. Dixon’s tactical nous has often seen Leap to Fame work hard early yet still sprint clear late — a testament to the champion’s toughness and class.
The Inter Dominion Legacy
Leap to Fame’s connection to the Inter Dominion Pacing Championship is the stuff of legend. He entered the 2023 series as a rising star and left as champion after a commanding final win at Albion Park. He missed the 2024 edition due to a health issue but returned in 2025 to claim a second title, beating top rivals in emphatic fashion.
In the most recent 2026 Inter Dominion Final at Albion Park (held earlier this month), Leap to Fame faced a challenging second-line draw. He worked hard early, racing wide before engaging in an epic late duel with the brilliant mare Captains Mistress (driven by Cameron Hart). Captains Mistress held on to win by a narrow 1.2 metres, with Nyack third. The mile rate of 1:51.8 shattered the previous record. Despite the narrow defeat, Leap to Fame’s performance once again showcased his championship heart and confirmed his status as one of the very best pacers of his generation.
Only a handful of pacers — Blacks A Fake (four wins), Our Sir Vancelot, and Im Themightyquinn — have won three or more Inter Dominion finals. Leap to Fame’s two victories and consistent excellence in the series have already placed him in elite company, with many observers believing a third crown remains a realistic target in future editions.
A True Champion of the People
Owners Kevin and Kay Seymour have repeatedly described Leap to Fame as “the horse of the people,” a sentiment echoed by fans who have packed race tracks whenever he runs. His consistency, charisma, and record-breaking achievements have helped elevate harness racing’s profile across Australia and New Zealand.
As Leap to Fame continues to race at the highest level into his eighth year, the sport watches in awe. Whether he adds a third Inter Dominion title, more Group 1 victories, or simply keeps winning at an age when most pacers have retired, one thing is certain: Leap to Fame has already secured his place as one of the greatest pacers Australian harness racing has ever seen.
His story — from promising youngster to dual Inter Dominion champion, multiple Horse of the Year, Hall of Famer, and record-breaking earner — is a masterclass in excellence, resilience, and the enduring magic of the pacing horse. Larry has leapt to fame… and shows no signs of landing anytime soon.
As you can see it Took Champion driver Hart and his great mare to beat a champion and become Champions and enter folklore.
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