Doody Townley


David James "Doody" Townley was a trainer and driver of Standardbred racehorses in New Zealand. He was associated with many top class horses and was a leading driver of harness horses in New Zealand.
He is notable for winning four Inter Dominion Championships, the premier trotting series of races between Australia and New Zealand. Not surprisingly, he is also an inductee in the Inter Dominion [Hall of Fame]. Doody also won two Auckland Trotting Cups and the New Zealand Trotting Cup. These are the two top races in New Zealand.
Townley died in Ashburton on 28 March 1999, and his ashes were buried at Ashburton Cemetery.

Big race wins

Year
Race
Horse
1952New Zealand DerbyRupee
1959Great Northern DerbySun Chief
1962Great Northern DerbyTactile
1963Rowe CupPohutukawa
1963New Zealand DerbyBellajily
1965Dominion HandicapMighty Chief
1965Inter Dominion Pacing ChampionshipRobin Dundee
1966New Zealand Free For AllWaitaki Hanover
1966Auckland Trotting CupWaitaki Hanover
1967Hunter CupWaitaki Hanover
1968Inter Dominion Trotting ChampionshipStylish Major
1970New Zealand Free For AllStella Frost
1970Auckland Trotting CupStella Frost
1971New Zealand Trotting CupTrue Averil
1971Inter Dominion Pacing ChampionshipStella Frost
1980Inter Dominion Trotting ChampionshipHano Direct