He began racing in New Zealand and his first stake money was won in a saddle pace on a grass track. He won all their major open class races including the New Zealand Cup and Auckland cup ( from 78 yard handicap ).
Cardigan Bay even won a major event at Addington raceway in Christchurch while the grandstand was on fire! He also won the Interdominion Championship final in Adelaide, Australia.
He was taken to the USA where he won many races there and in Canada, where his most famous victory was over Bret Hanover in the "Pace of the Century"
He won 80 races all up and retired to New Zealand.