Darling Downs Harness Racing Club

VALE SAMMY BARLETTA | 1931–2026

The Darling Downs Harness Racing Club extends its sincere condolences to the Barletta family following the passing of Sammy Barletta, aged 94.

Born in Italy on 7 November 1931, Sammy was a hardworking and clever businessman, a wonderful character and a pioneer whose contribution to the broadcasting of racing in Queensland leaves an enduring legacy.

Sammy and his wife Cely established Panasonic Studio Productions in the early 80’s, and among the company’s earliest racing work was filming the non-TAB Toowoomba harness racing meetings conducted by our club from around 1983.

From those early days came an important chapter in Queensland harness racing history.

Sammy was responsible for providing the broadcast link from Clifford Park, Toowoomba, for the first Queensland harness race meeting ever televised on Sky Racing.

It was pioneering work at a time when the technology and infrastructure we now take for granted simply didn’t exist, and it marked the beginning of a remarkable association between the Barletta family and Queensland racing.

Sammy and Cely’s business continued to grow, also covering thoroughbred racing in Toowoomba and ultimately developing into today’s PSP. Now operated by their children, Tony and Samantha, PSP remains an integral part of Queensland racing, providing the broadcast link from race meetings across all three codes to Sky Racing and audiences throughout Australia and internationally.

It is a remarkable legacy – and one with its roots firmly planted in harness racing here on the Darling Downs.

Those fortunate enough to know Sammy, however, will remember much more than his achievements in business.

Sammy had a wonderful sense of humour and a special ability to talk to anyone. He could make people laugh, make them feel welcome and make you genuinely happy to be in his company. He was one of those wonderful racing characters whose presence was always enjoyed.

Sammy passed away in hospital following a battle with health issues. He is survived by his wonderful wife Cely, their children Tony and Samantha, and their families.

The DDHRC acknowledges Sammy’s remarkable contribution to our club, harness racing and the wider Queensland racing industry, and extends our deepest sympathies to Cely, Tony, Samantha and the entire Barletta family.

Vale Sammy Barletta.

📷: Sammy is pictured second from the left (in picture one) with his family and connections of a pacer following its victory in a race sponsored by the Barletta family at Clifford Park. Also pictured are the late Nola Wagland and Lawson Cockburn, both former Presidents of the Darling Downs Harness Racing Club.

From the non-TAB trots at Clifford Park to helping take Queensland harness racing onto Sky Racing, he leaves behind a wonderful family and an extraordinary racing legacy.

🐴 THE 2026 DDHRC STALLION AUCTION GOES LIVE TOMORROW! 🐴

The Darling Downs Harness Racing Club Stallion Auction goes live Wednesday, 19 August, through Australian Pacing Gold, with an outstanding line-up of pacing and trotting stallions on offer.

We sincerely thank each of the studs and organisations who have generously supported this year’s auction:

⭐ Alabar Farms — Art Major
⭐ Cobbity Equine Farm — Best In Show
⭐ Egmont Park Stud — C**t Thirty One
⭐ Murray Veterinary Service — Copy That
⭐ Woodlands Stud — Lather Up
⭐ Aldebaran Park — Aldebaran Zeus
⭐ Medowie Lodge — Muscle M Up
⭐ Bellmoure Park Stud — Peak

And a special thank you to Australian Pacing Gold (APG) for their support in conducting the online auction on our behalf.

So, where does the money go?

Every dollar raised through this auction goes directly back into grassroots harness racing in Queensland.

The proceeds help the DDHRC support the country show racing circuit, taking harness racing into communities across the Darling Downs and Lockyer Valley and giving people outside our traditional venues the opportunity to see and experience our sport.

Just as importantly, these events allow us to promote harness racing in local communities, attract new participants and build greater involvement in our industry.

With harness racing preparing for its return to Toowoomba, the work to grow the sport needs to start now.

Our aim is to build the participant base, community interest and grassroots support across the Darling Downs and Lockyer Valley so our industry is in the strongest possible position when harness racing launches at Toowoomba.

That is what this auction supports. 💛

🗓 GOES LIVE: Wednesday, 19 August 2026
🔨 CLOSES: Wednesday, 26 August 2026
🌐 BID ONLINE: apgold.com.au

If you’re breeding this season, there are some outstanding opportunities available — and every bid helps us continue building harness racing from the grassroots up.

DDHRC — Supporting Harness Racing, from the grassroots up.

Australian Pacing Gold - Home Australia's Leading Standardbred Yearling Sales Company. Servicing the racing industry since 1989.

🔶Get those Registrations in! Bidding starts today at 12pm🔶

Vale Dan, a true champion of the sport and a champion human. 💙

Vale Dan Costello 🧡

It is with sadness the MHRA members and committee join the wider harness racing community in mourning the passing of Dan Costello.

Dan has made many special memories for those involved in harness racing in Qld over a great number of years.

Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Dan's family, friends and colleagues.

The special memories Dan captured are with us forever.

Rest in peace, Dan Costello. 🕊️

Beautiful day for it! ☀️ 🐴 🍻

🏁 RACEDAY THIS SUNDAY! 🏁

Join us this Sunday, 9th August for a fantastic day of harness racing.

🐴 Live Harness Racing
🦄 Mini Trotters
🍔 Canteen & Cafe
🍺 Battlers Bar
🎟️ TAB On Course
🎫 FREE ENTRY

🕚 Gates open from 11:00am

🚨 LAUNCHING SOON – 2026 DDHRC Stallion Service Auction 🚨

The Darling Downs Harness Racing Club is proud to once again partner with Australian Pacing Gold to conduct our annual online Stallion Service Auction.

This auction has become an important fundraiser for our club, with every dollar raised going directly back into growing grassroots harness racing in Queensland.

Thanks to the outstanding support of Australia’s leading studs, bidders will have the opportunity to secure services to some of the industry’s most sought-after stallions.

Pacing Stallions
⭐ Art Major – Alabar Farms
⭐ Best In Show – Cobbity Equine Farm
⭐ C**t Thirty One – Egmont Park Stud
⭐ Copy That – Murray Veterinary Service
⭐ Lather Up – Woodlands Stud

Trotting Stallions
⭐ Aldebaran Zeus – Aldebaran Park
⭐ Muscle M Up – Medowie Lodge
⭐ Peak – Bellmoure Park Stud

📅 Auction Opens: 19 August 2026
📅 Auction Closes: 26 August 2026

🌐 Bid online at: www.apgold.com.au

A sincere thank you to Alabar Farms, Cobbity Equine Farm, Egmont Park Stud, Murray Veterinary Service, Woodlands Stud, Aldebaran Park, Medowie Lodge, Bellmoure Park Stud and Australian Pacing Gold. Without their generosity and ongoing support, this fundraiser simply wouldn’t be possible.

Keep an eye on the Darling Downs Harness Racing Club page over the coming weeks as we showcase each stallion and share more information leading into the auction.

For further information, contact Secretary Brendan Sippel on 0409 635 261.

Supporting Harness Racing, from the grassroots up.

🏇 The Darling Downs - Maranoa region has outpaced most of Queensland in racing revenue, with a new report ranking it second only to the Gold Coast. Find out how we’re leading a massive economic charge here 👉 https://bit.ly/4fCfrKG