Meet Nikita Burton

Driving racehorses wasn’t always part of the plan for Nikita Burton.

She grew up around horses and harness racing, heading to the track with her dad, riding her pony around the car park and helping gear up and wash the horses. But it wasn’t until she was about 15 that she decided to ask her dad if she could have a drive herself.

“He basically just handed me the reins and said, ‘go and have fun’.”

That first experience behind a horse was enough to get her hooked.

Since then, Burton has been building her career as a junior driver while working at Stonewall Stud, an opportunity she was determined to make the most of. Before joining the stable full-time, that meant leaving home at 5am during the school holidays and getting back around 5pm.

“It was a bit of a hike every day, but it’s what you’ve got to do. It was such a good opportunity for me to get my foot in the door.”

Burton celebrated her first driving win in March 2025, partnering Seaside Rose to victory.

More than a year later, another win proved particularly special. In July 2026, in just her eighth drive behind a trotter, Burton partnered Kairaki Spur to victory in the Darren DeFilippi Memorial.

“I’ve never smiled so much after a win. I guess proud is the right word.”

That same week brought another surprise when Burton was named the wildcard for the 2026 New Zealand Junior Driver Championship.

For someone who once had little interest in driving at all, things have moved quickly.

Watch the video above to meet Nikita and hear how she found her way into the driver’s seat, the wins that have meant the most and where she hopes harness racing might take her next