Published August 2025
New Farm locals Kevin and Kay Seymour watched their horse storm to Inter Dominion Grand Final victory to complete a historic night at Albion Park on July 19.
Leap To Fame’s $1 million winnings made him the richest prizewinning pacer in harness racing history on what Mr Seymour described as a “phenomenal” night.
“It’s something that we never expected in our lifetime, even though it’s taken us 55 years to get here,” Mr Seymour said.
“He is a once in a generation horse.”
Mr Seymour told the Village Voice that good horses like Leap To Fame— affectionately known as Larry— can bring crowds back to the races.
2200 patrons attended the Inter Dom’s third and final night at Albion Park, as the event yielded $6.8 million in total betting turnover.
“The night broke a record for betting turnover; it was an unbelievable figure,” Mr Seymour said.
“I’ve never heard people cheering the horses go past so much, I thought they’d mistaken the number of laps.
“To think of the reception that the public gave us, it sort of sends tingles down my spine.
“I honestly think they feel as though Larry is their own horse and not just Kevin and Kay’s horse anymore, and we expect he’ll get the same reception at the New Zealand Cup in November.”
Leap To Fame, driven and trained by Grant Dixon, was the bookies’ hot favourite to win the Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Grand Final.
Albion Park’s CEO Jim Waddell said it was a fitting reward for Mr and Mrs Seymour’s “fantastic” relationship with Albion Park Harness Racing Club.
“I hope the electric atmosphere reminded Kevin of the good old days because 20 years ago, harness racing was one of the biggest spectacles in Australia,” he said.
“We’ve knuckled down over the last four months to renovate this old venue, so it feels like a tremendous achievement.
“The atmosphere, the races, and our restaurant and bar facilities make it a great night out now, so we delivered on that goal.”
Albion Park will host the 2026 and 2027 Inter Dominion Grand Finals.
Photo caption: Kevin and Kay Seymour with Leap to Fame driver and trainer Grant Dixon; Photography: Jack Ponych
