Anthony (Tony) Herlihy, MNZM, Auckland
For services to harness racing. Mr Tony Herlihy is a harness racing driver who on 25 February 2011 became the first person to win over 3,000 races in New Zealand. Mr Herlihy’s first racing season was in 1977 and 1978, when he was aged 19. Nicknamed 'The Iceman' for his laidback, relaxed style, he has driven the winners of 59 group one races, 73 group two races, and 43 group three races. This included three New Zealand Cups, eight Auckland Cups, six New Zealand free-for-alls, and four Rowe Cups. In 1985 he gained international acclaim when he won the World Driving Championship. He has won more than 100 races in a season, 17 times. Since taking up training in 2001, Mr Herlihy has trained more than 500 winners.