Celebrated voice of southern harness to call it a day
Young's 35-year tenure as a racing judge will come to an end when he declares the winners of the 10 harness races at Winton tomorrow.
Over that time, Young has stamped himself as arguably the most recognisable voice among New Zealand's racing judges, known for his strong Southland accent and rolled "R's".
It's a sound that has become synonymous with southern harness racing, and known by racing enthusiasts across the country.
"There has been plenty of talk about my accent over the years and the way I roll my R's," Young said.
"I've got a mate in Auckland and he reckons I have got a fan club up there who love hearing it."
Young's voice would not be so widely known if he did not give judging a shot in the early 1990s.
"Craig Todd was the judge at the time and I worked with him at the Department Of Lands and Survey at the time.
"He said 'do you want to give it a go?', and I said 'what's involved?', and he said 'a bit of this and a bit of that'.
"I didn't really know much about it, but I thought why not.
"I was always interested in harness racing.
"I was assistant to Craig for six years before judging alongside Brendon Burke.
"It started as a bit of a hobby — there were only 24 meetings in those days.
"But it turned into a part-time job, doing 50 meetings, and it got up to 70-odd when I was doing Forbury."
Though Young was a newcomer to judging in 1990, his passion for the sport was well established.
"I remember rushing home from school to watch Lunar Chance win the 1975 New Zealand Trotting Cup.
"Then there was Trusty Scot, horses like Matai Dreamer, Sapling, and I was a big Young Quinn fan."
"I got my interest in the 1970s, it would be what I would call the golden era for Southland harness racing.
"I was hooked from there."
Young has seen and judged every top horse Southland has produced over the past 35 years.
Over that time, it has not necessarily been the best of them that have stood out to him.
"It probably hasn't been the open-class horses, it has been those good country cup-type horses."
"Horses like Lord Forbes, Prince Rashad, Giovanetto and Bee Bee Cee stand out."
Young worked as a real estate agent for much of his judging tenure before entering the supermarket industry.
Young and wife Maria will soon take over Four Square Te Anau, ending Young's outstanding contribution to judging and southern harness racing.
"I will still be following the racing and I would be happy to fill in if I was needed.
"I am looking forward to going to the races at some stage.
"Instead of wearing a tie in the judge's box, I will be in the bar having a beer, catching up with everyone."
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