Sun shining on Golden Sunset

Here’s a fact that’s gone largely unnoticed - until now. 

Classy mare Golden Sunset is the only Queensland-trained trotter to win a heat of the Inter Dominion Trotting Championship. Ever!

The first ever Inter Dominion Trotting Championship series was first staged in 1948 at Alexandra Park, Auckland when Aerial Scott proved triumphant.

So, the Trotting Championship series spans 77 years and only one Queensland-trained trotter has won a solitary heat.

One.

A total of 71 champions have been crowned during that time span, with the series not held between 2013-17, and nor was it held in 2020 owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

That’s a lot of Grand Finals and naturally, a heck of a lot of heats staged throughout the years.

Queensland has played host to three Inter Dominion Trotting Championship series to date, in 2001, 2023 and this year, 2025.

Heats and Final across all three series staged in the Sunshine State, and Golden Sunset is the only heat winner prepared from Queensland.

For more perspective, a total of 223 trotting heats has been staged prior to a Queensland trained trotter proving victorious.

Six of the 223 heats were staged as semi-finals, when the series was staged in Melbourne (2008/09 and 2010). And 11 heats staged at Albion Park before a locally-prepared winner.

So, just let that sink in. Sobering numbers indeed.

The Shawn and Michelle Grimsey-trained mare scored in the first heat on the opening night of the 2025 series back on July 5.

Did connections know or were they oblivious to the record and were they shocked when their mare pulled off a $26 upset result?

“Firstly, we were completely oblivious to the fact that no Queensland-trained trotter had never won a heat but secondly, we weren’t surprised she won that night,” Shawn explained.

“Clearly, we needed some luck that night or more so, no bad luck going our way, but I turned to Michelle soon after the start when London To A Brick ($2 fav) galloped and said ‘we’re a hope here’. 

"We got an excellent drive from Nathan (Dawson); he got her away from the inside and then raced around the outside to find the lead. Thereafter, given her record since being here and her trials efforts prior to the series, we knew we had a chance.” 

As it stands, Golden Sunset finished ninth in her next qualifying heat before finishing in the same position in the Grand Final won by Arcee Phoenix.

So, what’s the story surrounding Golden Sunset?

Foaled in Victoria back in 2016, Golden Sunset is a mare by Skyvalley from the Sundon mare Golden Wahine, making her a half-brother to the talented Golden Spurs (by Pegasus Spur) who won seven races from just 32 starts.

Both Golden Spurs and Golden Sunset were prepared by Juanita Breen. And Breen is no stranger to success with talented standardbreds - her latest stable star is the gifted pacer Roarforroscoe (11 wins, $156,000).

Golden Sunset had 58 starts for Breen which resulted in seven wins and 17 minor placings after being unraced as a two-year-old.

The talented mare managed to win at Melton while also being the runner-up to Mufasa Metro (2023 Inter Dominion GF runner-up) on another occasion.

Purchased by Sydney-based mentor Jason Grimson midway through 2024, Golden Sunset was deliberately aimed at the $25,500 Carousel series at Menangle in September.

Following a pleasing trial the week prior to the qualifying heats, Golden Sunset started favourite ($1.75) in the heat but after leading, got overpowered late to finish as the runner-up behind Maestro.

Two weeks later in the final, Golden Sunset finished out of the money behind Affaire De Cover after starting the punters elect again.

Immediately after the Carousel Final, Golden Sunset was sent to Queensland where she eventually joined the Grimsey stable.

“Both Michelle and I liked her immediately, lovely natured and very sensible. Over the years, we’ve enjoyed working with the trotters and she arrived at the right time,” Shawn said.

“I took a mare called Bettys Lass from Cam Ross which Jason (Grimson) owned so that’s how I ended up getting the call about Goldy. It was rather fortuitous looking back but the expectations weren’t high originally.

“After settling into a routine and some solid work, we thought she could win a few races here but to go the level she has, well, that’s been a pleasant surprise.”

Golden Sunset has won 13 of her 28 starts to date, including the 2025 Trotters Christmas Cup at Albion Park, while being placed on another seven occasions.

Earlier this year, during a 10-race stretch, Golden Sunset won seven races while being the runner-up in the other three races, which proved conclusively she had rapidly become the best trotting mare in the state.

It’s a title she still holds to this current day.

Prior to creating history when claiming the Inter Dominion heat victory at start number 20 for the stable, Golden Sunset also set a new track record at the famed Breakfast Creek oval.

Back on April 19 at Albion Park, Golden Sunset lowered the trotting track record mark to 1:53.7 when leading throughout sectionals of 27.7, 29.5, 28.4 and 28.1 seconds.

“That was a huge thrill that night. Setting a track record is a bit special, her performance was excellent while a bit surreal at the same time. And it was the final race on the 10-race program that night,” Grimsey said.

“We can’t split the track record victory and creating history by becoming the first Queensland-trained trotter to win an Inter Dominion heat. She’s done us very proud.”

While the track record has since gone by the wayside when Not As Promised established a new mark at 1:52.3 on October 11 (Golden Sunset finished third in that race), the other record can’t be taken away.

Golden Sunset will always hold the record of being the first Queensland-trained trotter to win an Inter Dominion heat!

Now that’s worth celebrating.

The Grimseys are aiming to do it again next year when the Inter Dominion series will be staged again at Albion Park, Goldy’s favourite track.

For those wondering, the best result for a Queensland-trained trotter in an Inter Dominion Grand Final belongs to the Shaun Gillespie-prepared Kasyanov, a runner-up behind the mighty Sundons Gift at Moonee Valley back in 2010.

Interestingly, that was a series that did not conduct heats prior to the Grand Final, two semi-finals were staged instead.