Young Carter Dalgety kicked off his short stint in harness racing

Young driver Carter Dalgety is creating a stir in the United States after making the journey from his home country of New Zealand. The 21-year-old has kicked off his short stint in harness racing with impressive performances, recently joining host Dave Little on the "In The Sulky" segment at The Meadowlands on Saturday, August 31.

"I’ve always had a keen interest in American racing," Dalgety shared. "It started with my father, Cran, who experienced it during his younger days. My connection with Dexter Dunn played a significant role too; watching him inspired me to explore this opportunity myself."

Before heading to the U.S., Dalgety established himself as a rising star in New Zealand, becoming the fastest junior driver to achieve 100 wins. He explained that the junior driver designation applies to those within the first six years of obtaining their driving license. When reflecting on his success, Dalgety credits the talented horses he drove.

"I was fortunate to start with some excellent horses," he said. "To be honest, my first year went much better than I expected. Typically, a rookie secures only a couple of drives at first, hoping for just a single win, so hitting 100 wins was a pleasant surprise for me."

Dalgety shares a close bond with Dunn, perceiving the four-time USHWA Driver of the Year as a "big brother." Their families have a long-standing connection, with Dexter having worked for Carter’s father before moving to North America. Dunn has graciously welcomed Dalgety into his home during this opportunity.

On the racetrack, Dalgety has made a strong impression, achieving 11 wins in 88 drives as of September 2, including a couple of wins for fellow New Zealander and recent U.S. Hall of Fame inductee Chris Ryder. Initially, Dalgety wasn't sure about driving upon arriving in the States.

"I have to thank Dexter for encouraging me to pursue this and for promoting me to trainers," Dalgety noted. "I’ve been working on connecting with the right people, and things have gone much smoother than I anticipated."

Beyond his racing achievements, Dalgety has also set himself up for success off the track. He completed his education in New Zealand while managing his racing career, earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree with double majors in global commerce and supply chain management. He is also the founder of a clothing line called Fuego Collection.

"We're in the early stages of promoting it and laying the groundwork, but I hope to grow it in the future," Dalgety explained. "The brand focuses on sporting icons like Michael Jordan, Lionel Messi, Muhammad Ali, and Tiger Woods, featuring unique lines and collections."

Though Dalgety's time in the U.S. is limited, he plans to return to New Zealand just in time for the start of their stakes season, which offers numerous opportunities.

"I can only stay here for a few months, so I'll be heading home in about a month," Dalgety shared. "The timing works out perfectly, as our stakes season kicks off at the end of September and into October, with our biggest events in November, and I hope to be back on the horses then."

Looking ahead, Dalgety remains optimistic about a future return to the U.S. similar to Dunn’s successful journey.

"I would love the chance to come back eventually," he expressed. "I think it’s important to be well-established before making the move. I still have a few things to accomplish in New Zealand before taking that step. I’m only 21, so there’s plenty of time, but I would definitely like to make it happen someday."