Just Believe gained an army of harness racing fans with his incredible deeds on the track and the champion squaregaiter will win new ones in retirement when he takes up residence at the popular Living Legends property in Greenvale.
“Harry” as he is affectionately known was announced as the second standardbred induction into Living Legends moments after being revealed as the 2024 Victorian Horse of the Year during the industry awards function at Melton Entertainment Park on Monday night.
Just Believe will join fellow trotting great Sundons Gift and around 40 thoroughbred stars at the facility in the coming weeks.
The two-time Inter Dominion winner’s place at Living Legends is thanks to a significant financial contribution from his breeder-owner Pat Driscoll of Yabby Dam Farms and through a partnership between Harness Racing Victoria and Living Legends.
“I’m absolutely rapt that he’s been acknowledged as an outstanding horse and ambassador for the sport,” Driscoll said. “To be welcomed into Living Legends is unbelievable – it’s just a wonderful achievement for the horse.
“He’s done a great job in Australia, New Zealand and Sweden, and the fact that people will be able to go and see him when they want is great. It just puts the spotlight on harness racing because he’s current and a lot of people know who he is.”
Just Believe was retired early this year after a wonderful career that included 38 wins and 23 placings from 83 starts for $1,929,253 in earnings. This left him as Australia’s richest ever trotter and second only to the mighty Lyell Creek on the all-time Australasian list.
Originally trained by Michael Hughes, it was Just Believe’s move to the Jess Tubbs stable in mid-2022 that ultimately saw him reach stardom. In 42 starts for Tubbs, the son of Orlando Vici would win 30 of them while taking his connections on a whirlwind journey around Australia, to Sweden for Elitloppet and back and forth to New Zealand.
He won 10 Group 1 races, highlighted by two Inter Dominion grand finals, a Great Southern Star, and the National Trot, Rowe Cup and Dominion Trot across the Tasman. He also claimed the inaugural TAB Trot slot race at Cambridge, which proved the most lucrative success of his career.
The late Greg Sugars partnered his great mate to 29 wins as a driver.
Harness Racing Victoria chief executive Matt Isaacs said it was fantastic to have Just Believe become the second standardbred retired to Living Legends.
“It’s a fitting celebration of a brilliant horse who changed how harness racing in Victoria is perceived internationally,” Isaacs said.
“This is a great credit to his breeder Pat Driscoll and the amazing connection he had with trainer Jess Tubbs and driver Greg Sugars. Just Believe won fans worldwide, and it’s appropriate that the greater public will be able to celebrate him, as well as Sundons Gift, at this terrific establishment.”
Just Believe is expected to arrive at Living Legends in July.
