In a compelling display of precision and consistency, NSW horseman Hugh Miles has again asserted his dominance in the campdraft arena, winning the Condamine Bell Open Campdraft in 2025.
In front of 900 spectators – both onsite and online – he rode Smart n Spicy to victory for owners Peter and Carolyne Doonan, Charters Towers, combining scores of 89, 92 and 88 in the final for an aggregate of 269 points to clinch the $75,000 winner’s cheque.
Mr Miles previously won “The Bell“ in 2023 and the Slotted Shoot Out in 2024.
“It’s a great accomplishment to win such a prestigious campdraft especially on a mare for some very good clients who I’ve been very fortunate to have for a long time,“ Mr Miles said.
“To win on their mare and have the other three place in the top 10 is pretty special for all of us.“
Now a seven-year-old mare, the Doonans bought Smart n Spicy as a yearling from breeder Jodie Mearns.
She is sired by Dual Smart Rey and out of Scary Spice.
In April, Mr Miles and Smart n Spicy won $28,000 at the Koobah Performance Horse featured maiden, bringing the mare’s earning to more than $100,000 from three campdrafts this year.
“Smart n Spicy has always been super trainable and soft,“ Mr Miles said. “I have always liked her from the start. She’s super intelligent and just always willing to please.“
Mr Miles, who trains horses and operates a small feedlot to the east of Dungowan/ Woolomin on the Peel River in NSW, has competed in campdrafts for “20 odd years“.
“I started when I was probably around 14 or 15. I enjoy catching up with mates that I don’t get to see regularly as these days I spend most of my year attending all the major cutting aged events.“
Meanwhile, Penny Macintosh won the Joyce Campbell Memorial Ladies, riding Royal Crown Whiskey for owners Les and Carmen Stewart. She secured three of the top four places.
Royal Crown Whiskey is an eight-year-old mare sired by One Time Royalty and out of OK Brandy n Wine.
Teys Australia livestock manager David Duncan, Condamine won the Teys Australia Novice on his home-bred gelding Duncans Kenny, a nine-year-old gelding sired by Brown Victory and out of Duncans Emmi.
Judges at the Condamine Bell Open Campdraft in 2025 included, Brian Elliott (open and ladies), Tim Hollis (open), Cameron Wilson (novice) and Robert Daly (Slotted Shoot Out).
The Grove, Lillyvale Feedlot, Condabri Feedlot and Justin and Kate Boshammer donated the cattle.
Condamine Bell Open Results
1. Hugh Miles on Smart n Spicy – 269 points.
2. Matthew Moffat on Durkins Stylish Quincy – 268.5 points.
3. Robert Plant on Kooldet – 267.5 points.
4. Hugh Miles on Summa Reyn – 267 points.
5. David Reiter on Cody – 266.5 points.
6. Will Durkin on Barefoot VIP – 266.5 points.
7. Hugh Miles on Moore Spoonful – 266.5 points.
8. Hugh Miles on Tuff n Dainty – 266.5 points.
9. Sam Greenup on Kanandahpark Shakira – 265.5 points.
10. Penny Macintosh on Royal Crown Whiskey – 264.5.
Condamine Bell Ladies Results
1. Penny Macintosh on Royal Crown Whiskey – 178 points.
2. Penny Macintosh on Chickalenas Last – 174 points.
3. Shari Knudsen on Times One Moore – 174 points.
4. Penny Macintosh on Coolum Trinket – 171 points.
5. Kate Southern on Bobadil Condance – 161 points.
6. Shari Knudsen on Yaven Champagne Romance – 161 points.
7. Coralie Daly on Wild Bill – 112 points.
8. Kate Southern on Shesa Blue Badger – 111 points.
9. Lexi Payne on Little Twirl – 111 points.
10. Bryony Puddicombe on Toonga Chrome – 111 points.
Condamine Bell Novice Results
1. David Duncan on Duncans Kenny – 267 points.
2. Danielle Hogarth on Hazel – 199 points.
3. Cory Pearce on Encore – 178 points.
4. Evan Hiscock on Mandela – 178 points.
5. Pete Comiskey on Time Chex – 178 points.
6. Steve Comiskey on Chics Cadillac – 177 points.
7. Brendan Fitzgerald on Brenwon Ted – 177 points.
8. Bryony Puddicombe on Toonga Chrome – 177 points.
9. Will Durkin on Hazelwood Cold Power – 177 points.
10. Penny Macintosh on Chikalenas Last – 176 points.
