9 October 2018
NEWS UPDATE | AMANDA RANDO
HE is one of the new faces of harness racing and Josh Gallagher is asserting himself as a driver to follow.
The 17-year-old has bounced into the new season having already piloted 12 winners.
This has catapulted Gallagher amongst the leading drivers in New South Wales.
Sitting amongst established names such as Amanda Turnbull and Todd McCarthy in the state drivers’ premiership, Gallagher believes the secret to his success is the idea of becoming a full-time harness driver.
“I think it’s helped that I’m going to start working in the industry full-time,” Gallagher said a fortnight ago after driving a winner at Menangle.
“I’m finishing Year 12 this week and completed all the exams I need to so will just focus on the horses.”
Having just graduated from St Gregory’s College in Campbelltown, Gallagher has become a full-time employee for the KerryAnn Turner stable.
Gallagher has had a long association with the stable having worked there for a handful of years already, before and after school as well as on weekends.
“I wanted to learn more about the sport and Mum and Dad recommended that KerryAnn and Robbie (Morris) would be good to learn off,” Gallagher said.
“I started helping them when I was 14 and I’m excited to be there full-time now.”
It has been just over a year since the former mini trot driver began driving in races.
Gallagher’s first drive was on Our Quinn at Newcastle on September 2, 2017, which he won.
In his debut season, Gallagher drove 31 winners and now has a total of 43 victories to his name.
“I would like to drive 60 winners this season,” Gallagher said.
“I want to double what I got last year.”
Gallagher’s second win is what he claims is his best win to date.
“My win on Celestial Arden is my best win,” Gallagher said.
He guided the pacer to a 1:53.1 victory at Menangle, Gallagher’s third ever race drive.
Gallagher beat the likes of Chris Geary on that occasion, a driver he admirers.
“I look up to drivers like Chris Geary and Robbie,” Gallagher said.
“I also like Chris Alford and Greg Sugars . . . if I had to pick a favourite I would have to say Greg Sugars.”
Harness Racing NSW (HRNSW) is the controlling body for harness racing in New South Wales with responsibility for commercial and regulatory management of the industry including 33 racing clubs across the State. HRNSW is headed by a Board of Directors and is independent of Government.
HRNSW MEDIA CONTACT:
AMANDA RANDO | MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
(02) 9722 6600 • arando@hrnsw.com.au • @Amanda_Rando