Garrard set to conquer

By Darren Clayton

So many unknown factors surrounded the inaugural Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship in 2025, from the driver draft to the style of racing of competing drivers through to the on-track experience for the syndicates.

With the novelty and unique aspect of the snake-order draft added into the mix, when the judge framed the numbers for the final race on Saturday night, it was Angus Garrard that was crowned the first Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver.

With 12 months passing and as the eve of series two approaches, one factor has become clear, the hunter has now become the hunted.

Garrard was the outsider as the youngest of the 10 drivers last year, but with a flourish of the whip approaching the winning post aboard Betting Jewel in the final event of the series, The Kid came of age.

Fast forward 12 months and Garrard is currently at the top of the markets to take a second title and again, will be the youngest driver in the championship representing the SEN / 1Equine / Garrards Horse and Hound syndicate.

“Yeah, it’s a bit different,” Garrard explained in the lead up to his title defence.

Following the draft on Wednesday, Garrard was buoyant that their team have picked the right horses to land a historic second title.

In 2025 the first and second round picks selected by the syndicate both came up marginally short, but with both finishing in second place, meant they took valuable points.

With pick number 7 in this year’s draft, Garrard opted to secure a horse that will be having it’s first start in Queensland, the Donny Smith trained Princess Arna.

“A mare that’s moved into an in-form stable, has good gate speed so hopefully put her on the front end and it looks a suitable race,” he said after making the selection.

Identifying that the mare has good speed, it could be expected that Garrard will send her hard off the arm in search of the lead, a tactic that is not vital in his overall strategy.

“It’s always better to be in front out of trouble if we can be, it’s not exactly what we look for but if it pans out that way it’s probably ideal.”

It may not be the case of needing to lead in the races, but lighting the path proved effective for Garrard on the leaderboard in the inaugural UDC.

Hitting the front in the middle stages of night one before relinquishing the green leaders cap to Gary Hall Jnr, a second placing in the tenth race saw Garrard end the night in front and start night two as the leader.

It would be a position he would maintain, holding the points lead through all 10 races, culminating in a fairy tale finish.

With the breakout victory in the UDC, Garrard went on to record several milestones throughout the year, none bigger than reaching 1000 career winners.

Steering Reds Star Deal to victory at Redcliffe on September 26, Angus became the youngest driver to secure 1000 wins, adding to the Australian record he still holds as the youngest to reach a century of winners.

Other highlights in 2025 included a career high 189 winners for the season along with four Group status victories, with a pair each at Group 2 and Group 3 level.

Despite the weight of expectation, Garrard looked much more comfortable at the 2026 draft, having built off the experience of last year, a fact that syndicate member Gareth Hall believes puts the team in a strong position heading into the weekend racing.

“I think we have shopped as good as we did last year and these are the races where we win it now,” Hall said as the draft entered rounds eight and nine.

“This, at the moment is the most critical part of the draft, where you have to start to think how other people are thinking, try to work it all out and make the right move.

“I’m pretty confident, I think we have everyone covered again.

“I don’t think anyone has picked better than us in the draft.”

The off-track confidence of Gareth, the on-track composure of Angus, and an 80-strong syndicate cheering The Kid to conquer Albion Park once again.

UDC 2026 is upon us, and Angus Garrard is ready to lift the trophy one more time.