‘There’s egos on the line, there’ll be trash-talking’: Dexter Dunn primed for 2025 Ultimate Driver Challenge at Albion Park

World champion driver Dexter Dunn says the inaugural Ultimate Driver Championship is one of the most exciting challenges of his career … and he’s promised a fierce contest against his fellow international stars at Albion Park on Friday and Saturday night.

World champion driver Dexter Dunn says the inaugural Ultimate Driver Championship is one of the most exciting challenges of his career.

The NZ-born Dunn won 10 consecutive NZ driving titles before moving to the US in 2018 where he has won five of the past six US Driver of the Year crowns.

“I jumped at the chance to be part of it. It’s something new, different and exciting and what an awesome group of drivers they’ve pulled together,” he said.

Dunn was just 25 when we he won the World Driving Championships, but said the slot concept and intensity of 20 races across two nights – at Albion Park tomorrow and Saturday – made the Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship so unique.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

“There’s never been anything like it. There’s egos on the line, there’ll be trash-talking, the racing will be fierce and competitive and only one of us will go away with the bragging rights,” he said.

“The mix of drivers adds another layer. You’ve got myself and Yannick Gingras from the US,

Bjorn Goop, who is a genuine rock star in Sweden, the young gun Carter (Dalgety) from NZ and five top Aussies, including three from here (Queensland).

“I know the locals think they’ll have an edge, knowing the track and the horses, but there’s so many unknowns in the series.

“I think we should expect the unexpected.”

How good will it be to watch Dexter Dunn driving in Australia again!?

The Ladbrokes Ultimate Driver Championship has pulled in the world's best harness drivers over two massive nights 👊@AdamHSport@[e-mail]/ICFGeEt2Fq

— Ladbrokes Australia (@ladbrokescomau) February 20, 2025

Dunn believes his mix of top level experience in NZ, Australia and now North American is an ideal mix.

“I’m glad I’ve had all that time driving down here, I’m sure it’ll help,” he said.

“The style of racing is so different in the US compared to here, the main thing being we all start from the front line in the States, but you get second row draws here.

“The tactics are so different and can take some getting used to, but guys like Yannick and Bjorn are champions for a reason.”

It’s new, exciting and very different … here’s what the @ladbrokescomau Ultimate Driver Challenge is all about @TheCreekAlbion Friday and Saturday nights. @RaceQLDhttps://t.co/cH1ILrzBtx

— Adam Hamilton (@AdamHSport) February 20, 2025

Dunn, who has won a string of major Australian races including a Miracle Mile and Hunter Cup with Christen Me, also pointed to his success at the host track, Albion Park.

“I’ve been here a few times and loved it,” he said. “Don’t forget my last big win in Australia or NZ was right here, on Let It Ride in the 2018 (Group 1) Blacks A Fake. I moved to the US a couple of weeks later.

“It’s tight and competitive racing here, I love it.

“As much as it’s been fantastic to have as much success as I’ve had in the US, things like this series keen you keen and hungry.

“It’s great mix things up. I went and drove in the Elitlopp (Sweden’s iconic trotting race) a couple of years back and came home buzzing.

“This feels the same. The build-up has been fantastic, all the drivers are so gee-ed up for it. I can’t wait.”

Dunn, coming off a record-breaking 2024 including driving Horse of the Year favourite Twin B Joe Fresh, is $5.50 second favourite behind star local Nathan Dawson ($5).

NSW’s Brad Hewitt was the big firmer, $9 into $6 after Wednesday’s draft to decide drives.

• Adam Hamilton is a paid contributor writing on harness racing for News Corp.

Originally published as ‘There’s egos on the line, there’ll be trash-talking’: Dexter Dunn primed for 2025 Ultimate Driver Challenge at Albion Park