The Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge is a pure test of speed over 955 metres. The fastest horses in Australia will go head-to-head to see which horse can break the 55 second mark across the 2024/25 Ladbrokes Friday Night Lights Season.

On each of the night meetings in season 2024/25, The Valley will stage a 55 Second Challenge heat, with each heat carrying minimum prize money of $55,000.

The trainer of the fastest heat winner will receive a cheque valued at $55,000 thanks to our partners at Ladbrokes.

CONGRATULATIONS TO TRAINER JULIEN WELSH FOR TAKING OUT THE 2024/25 LADBROKES 55 SECOND CHALLENGE WITH SHIRSHOV.

Shirshov ran the fastest time of the season in Heat 1 on opening night, clocking a great time of 54.64 seconds with jockey Patrick Moloney on board.

Date
Race
Winner
Trainer
Time
 27 Sep 2024  Heat 1 - BM84 Handicap      
 4 Oct 2024  Heat 2 - BM64 Handicap      
 25 Oct 2024  Heat 3 - BM74 Handicap      
 1 Nov 2024  Heat 4 - BM70 Handicap      
 15 Nov 2024  Heat 5 - BM70 Handicap      
 22 Nov 2024  Heat 6 - BM64 Handicap      
 29 Nov 2024  Heat 7 - BM64 Handicap      
 6 Dec 2024        
 13 Dec 2024        
 24 Jan 2025        
 31 Jan 2025        
 7 Feb 2025        
 14 Feb 2025        
 21 Feb 2025        
 7 Mar 2025        54.70
Season Winners  |  Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge
 Season Horse
 Trainer Time
 2022/23 Mutinous  Enver Jusufovic 54.93 
 2021/22  Curran Lyn Tolson & Leonie Proctor   54.61
 2020/21 Sisstar
 Tony & Calvin McEvoy 54.45
 2019/20 Bella Vella
 Will Clarken 54.84
 2018/19 Written Choice
Logan McGill  54.77 
2017/18  Sunday Escape
 Andrew Murray 54.75 
2016/17 Sirbible
Russell Bell  54.84
 2015/16
Tuscan Sling
Darren Weir   54.90
 2014/15
 Beach Front
 Brent Stanley  55.08
 2013/14
 Minaj
 Anthony Freedman  55.36
 2012/13
 Vatican
Byron Cozamanis   54.69*
 2011/12
 General Truce
Ricky Maund   55.26
 2010/11
 La Bella Roo
 Peter Boynton  55.48

* 955 metre rack record.

Ladbrokes 55 Second Challenge T&Cs

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