Dylan Voyce keeps on producing winners
Peter Fenemor • June 13th, 2025 10:40 AM • 5 min read
Dylan Voyce is a Rakaia based greyhound trainer who is taking giant strides forward within the national trainers ranks.
The 30-year-old is currently enjoying a stellular season, having applied the finishing touches to 74 winners while maintaining a tidy 0.3526 UDR strike rate.
Voyce oversees a team of quality greyhounds owned by Jose Arthur, who along with husband Donald, has enjoyed considerable success for numerous years led by the outstanding chaser Postman Pat, who became a headline act when racing against the very best greyhounds in Australia.
In fact, it was Voyce who broke him in and he did a lot of the early education work with Postman Pat when he was the kennel foreman for Tony (Jack) Hart, whose partner Kristy Taylor is Dylan Voyce’s mother.
“Postman Pat is a greyhound whom you dream about owing. I wasn’t training back then but I am very proud of what he achieved – it was a great ride following Postman Pat,” reflected Voyce about the champion greyhound who won 24 of his 38 career races, accumulating $543,410 in stake earnings for Jose Arthur.
Dylan Voyce was a 13-year-old when he actively became involved in greyhound racing as he explains. “I started by helping Jack in his kennels, then I was 16 when I trained my first winner.”
A career highlight came in May 2022 when he boxed away Charlotte Lu who then won the New Zealand Oaks. She was trained by Hart and is owned by Jose Arthur while the race was sponsored by the Arthur’s operated Selwyn Rakaia Vet Services clinic.
“That was an absolute highlight for me. I was the kennel foreman for Jack, then I trained in partnership with him last season (130 winners),” reflected Voyce.
It was at the start of this season when Voyce commenced training by himself. “Most of the greyhounds I trained are bred and owned by Jose. Donald and Jose are fantastic people to train for, and I really appreciate their great support.
“Their breeding goes back to the legendary trainer Ray Adcock who guided the Arthurs with breeding during their earlier years. It is brilliant to see the line continuing to successfully produce with Charlotte Lu leading the way.
“I train Valderrama for Jose’s sister Leonie, who is a member of the Who Let the Dogs Out syndicate. Pick And Go (32 wins) is probably my best greyhound at this stage. He has been a wonderful war horse for me. He races for a number of Ray Adcock’s former owners,” Voyce advises.
A cancelled Cook Straight ferry sailing prevented Voyce from racing at the Manawatu Raceway on Tuesday, therefore he is racing a number of those Palmerston North acceptors during this afternoon’s meeting at the Addington Raceway.
Voyce took time out to kindly provide his thoughts on his runners. In the first race he lines up the maiden greyhounds Wingatui Wizard and Daisy Lu over 525m with both of them benefiting from a bonus maiden race following their last start wins.
“Wingatui Wizard is a really nice young dog who still learning his craft. I am excited about his future once he strengthens up.
“I feel that this field is a bit rich for Daisy Lu at this stage, however I don’t think the step up in race distance will worry her,” he advised about the last start 17.41 295m winner.
Rosapenna takes her place in the second-race 295m sprint field. “She has had some niggles, plus an early season which set her back. She’s young and she produced a nice recent trial. I consider her as one to follow,” stated Voyce.
Voyce will be dishing out the collars and leads for the race 7 525m event as he has four runners contesting the race.
“Three of those racing missed their Palmerston North races, and I am looking at maybe taking them up to Whanganui for the Group 1 NZ Futurity heats next Friday.
“Perfect Harry is my leading chance. He is developing into a nice race dog, and he has a bright future in front of him.
“Minnie Lu pleased me with her recent NZ Oaks fourth placing, and she is getting stronger with every race.
“Zara Jem is racing out of her skin. She was beaten by a good dog in her last race, and I expect her to keep on improving.
Where’s Wally is a greyhound who is going places, and he takes his place in a field that contains a tremendous amount of depth back at Addington on Monday (Race 9). He has won all five of his career races to date.
“Monday will be Where’s Wally toughest career test too date. He is a good young greyhound who is an exciting prospect for the future. In saying that, it is a real hot field on Monday,” suggested Voyce.
And Where’s Wally’s thoroughbred counterpart will be seeking his eighth career win at the Oamaru gallops (Race 3) on Sunday for the Arthurs. “Yes, Where’s Wally loves the rain affected tracks,” said Voyce about the Andrew Carston trained galloper.
It is an ambition for Voyce to train a Group 1 winner, and he has had a taste of racing at the elite level with Valderrama contesting two finals. “She raced amazing in the NZ Oaks final (third), and she is earmarked to go up to Whanganui next week,” confirmed Voyce.
Voyce is ably assisted by his partner Claire Harding. “Claire does all my bookwork, and she helps me in the kennels – she keeps me in line,” commented Voyce.
Asked if he is looking at a possible move across the Ditch, Voyce responded with, “Moving to Australia is something about which that Claire and I have talked about. At this stage we are going to sit tight and see what happens over the next few months.”
Voyce has set himself a goal for the rest of the season as he informs us. “I would love to train 100 winners for the season. It will take a bit of work, and I will give it a good try. That’s my goal.”
And to bring up a century of winners during his first season of training will be a very meritorious achievement for Dylan Voyce.
