Leap To Fame compared to the greats of global sport

By Jordan Gerrans

Michael Jordan, Simone Biles, Luke Hodge, Usain Bolt and Tiger Woods. 

They are the greatest when it comes to world-class athletes in their chosen field in the history of sport. 

As Queensland’s Leap To Fame prepares to pace into racing immortality on Saturday evening on his home deck, they are just a few athletes' Grant Dixon’s superstar has been compared to by harness participants. 

Over the last few years, harness racing pundits have pondered if Leap To Fame is the greatest pacer racing in the world right now. 

If Leap To Fame is to win his second Inter Dominion crown at Albion Park, he will become the all-time richest prize money earner in Australasian harness history as he surpasses fellow Sunshine State hero Blacks A Fake.

While harness racing does not have the global presence of some other sports, those that watch Leap To Fame closely believe he needs to be rated as one of the top athletes going around.

Leap To Fame’s resume is already bulging with an Inter Dominion crown in 2023, a Miracle Mile triumph, a win in the A.G. Hunter Cup as well as a local Blacks A Fake title, among other feature events.

Long-time Queensland trainer and driver Al Barnes was quick to identify the great Chicago Bull Jordan when asked who he would compare Leap To Fame with in another sport.

“Have you seen anyone that has stood out so much more than anything you have ever seen in your life?” Barnes fired back.

“I have seen a lot of good horses, but nothing could ever run the sectionals he is running. He is like nothing we have ever seen.”

Barnes’ son Brendan also pointed to the six-time NBA champion Jordan while also suggesting he was on the level of legendary golfer Woods and megastar track athlete Bolt.

Young reinswomen Chloe Butler and Bernadette Page also compared Leap To Fame to Jamaican sprint sensation Bolt for his speed. 

Sticking with the basketball theme, Queensland reinsman Leonard Cain likened Dixon’s Grand Circuit champion to the late Kobe Bryant. 

Former Los Angeles Laker Bryant was known for his mental toughness and determination and that is what the 25-year-old Cain views in Leap To Fame. 

“He has the drive to win and he has that passion,” Cain said.

“That is what makes him as exceptional as he is.”

High-profile harness racing scribe and broadcaster Adam Hamilton made a connection with another equine athlete and a rugged former footballer. 

Hamilton referenced former Western Australian champion galloper Northerly and former Hawthorn hard man Luke Hodge when discussing Leap To Fame’s greatness. 

“There was nothing flashy about Northerly, but he just does the job,” Hamilton said.

“He was a champion when it mattered. It is the same in the AFL with Luke Hodge.

“He wasn’t the flashiest-looking player but boy did he stand up when it mattered.”

Meanwhile, American artistic gymnast Simone Biles has a swag of Olympic medals after a glittering career.  

Young Queensland reinswoman Taleah McMullen thinks Leap To Fame will also have a trophy full of silverware once he does eventually retire. 

“She is pretty unreal,” McMullen said of Biles.

“Leap To Fame’s presence is a bit like what she does.”

Queensland hero Leap To Fame is a $1.22 shot to win Saturday’s Inter Dominion pacing crown.