Chokin

Chokin is a New Zealand Standardbred racehorse who was notable in winning the New Zealand Trotting Cup, which is New Zealand's most prestigious horse race. Chokin is also one of the few horses to have won Harold Park Paceway's prestigious Miracle Mile twice.

During his 2-Year Old season in 1990/91 Chokin was sold to the Pacers Australia syndicate for about $200,000 and changed trainer from Brian Hughes to Roy and Barry Purdon. He had won 4 of 5 races before the sale. For his new owners he won the Sires Stakes Final by 4 ½ lengths in 1:56.5 which was a national record for his age. He also won the Two Year Old Championship over 2200 metres by 3 ½ lengths, again in national record time despite a rain effected track. He won 7 of 8 starts in his first season of racing, earned $205,390 and became the first two year old to be named New Zealand Harness Horse of the Year.

Early in the 1991-92 season Chokin won the Rising Stars Championship at Addington running his last 800 metres in 55.4 seconds and last 400 metres in 26.9 seconds. He also won the New Zealand Sires Stakes 3yo Final and was undefeated in five starts in New Zealand. Chokin was invited to contest the Miracle Mile in Sydney, the first time a three year old had been invited. He reacted badly to the crowd and atmosphere at Harold Park, galloped wildly at the start, and crashed to the track exhausted on the home turn. A start in the race was against the advice of his trainers. He won the South Australian Pacing Derby under the care of new Australian trainer Bob Knight but then suffered a tendon injury and returned to the Purdons in New Zealand. He won 3 of 5 Australian races for the season.