Australian Racehorse of the Year nominees announced
The nominees for the prestigious 2022/2023 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) in association with Racing Australia.
This year’s awards will be held at Optus Stadium in Perth on 23 November, in what will be a spectacular double header with the Australian Racing Hall of Fame ceremony.
The Australian Racehorse of the Year awards acknowledge performances on Australian racecourses, as well as international performances by Australian-trained horses for the period 1 August 2022 to 31 July 2023.
The nominees in each category have obtained the most votes from more than 70 of the nation’s most respected racing media, handicappers and form analysts.
Each nominee will be eligible to be crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year on the evening, joining previous winners including champions such as Winx, Nature Strip, Verry Elleegant, Black Caviar, Sunline and Makybe Diva.
Contenders for the Champion Two-Year-Old category include the Chris Waller-trained Golden Slipper winner, Sires Produce and Champagne Stakes winner Militarize, Silver Slipper winner Cylinder, Blue Diamond winner Little Brose and Group 1 JJ Atkins winner King Colorado.
Some outstanding three-year-olds will be vying for the Champion Colts or Geldings category including last year’s Everest and All Aged Stakes winner Giga Kick, The CF Orr’s winner Jacquinot, Caulfield Guineas winner Golden Mile, Queensland Derby winner Kovalica and exciting Spring Champion Stakes winner Sharp ‘n’ Smart.
For the Champion Three-Year-Old Filly category, contenders include the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and Newmarket Handicap winner In Secret, the Group 1 Lightning and Moir Stakes winner Coolangatta, WA’s golden girl and Group 1 Northerly winner , the Group 1 Vinery winner Prowess and Group 1 Australian Guineas winner Legarto.
All Champion Sprinter finalists demonstrated their brilliance in the season including last year’s Golden Eagle and TJ Smith winner I Wish I Win along with Giga Kick, Anamoe, In Secret and Joe Pride’s Stradbroke Handicap winner Think About It.
Leading the charge for the Champion Middle Distance award is Anamoe, with unforgettable performances in the George Main, The Cox Plate, the Chipping Norton and George Ryder. Mr Brightside’s magnificent All Star Mile and Doncaster wins also place him in serious contention. The Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Ranvet Stakes winner Dubai Honour is most deserving of a place in this strong line-up, alongside I’m Thunderstruck, winner of the Makybe Diva. Lastly, the crowd favourite, Underwood and Futurity Stakes winner Alligator Blood completes an exceptional list of finalists for this category.
Fighting it out for the Champion Stayer will be Durston, Explosive Jack, Golden Mile, Without A Fight and Kovalica.
The competition is also fierce for the Champion Jumper Award with Bell Ex One, Circle The Sun and the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained Stern Idol, Saunter Boy and Rockstar Ronnie.
After a phenomenal racing season, Chris Waller has clinched yet again, for the fourth consecutive year the Champion Group 1 Trainer award, with James Mcdonald claiming Group 1 Champion Jockey title for the third year running. I am Invincible, has claimed back-to-back titles as Australia’s Champion Sire.
RWWA Chief Racing Officer David Hunter congratulated all award category finalists on their performances for the 2022/2023 season.
“Making it to the final five in each category is a testament to a remarkable season and something to be very proud of,” David said.
“I look forward to celebrating the equine heroes and all those associated with their excellence in November.”
More Racing News
Concord Connie eyes Victorian Group 1 success
Charlotte Littlefield, the Pakenham-based trainer, is opting against chasing substantial prize money in interstate races with Concord Connie, focusing instead on securing a Group 1 win within Victoria.The exciting mare, Concord Connie, has undergone four weeks of preparation and is being readied for her return, with the Group 1 Empire...
Midnight Dynamite's Path to the Big Dance After Rosehill Win
Connections of Midnight Dynamite are keen to see the horse contest a $3 million prize following his commanding performance in the Winter Challenge at Rosehill.Having added Saturday's stakes race to his triumph in last month's Listed Civic Stakes (1400m), the gelding is now slated for the Coffs Harbour Cup (1600m)...
Bold Soul's future may be over jumps after Flemington success
Connections have found Bold Soul, trained by Patrick Payne, to be a good earner on the flat, but his future might be better suited to hurdles.Bold Soul secured the Deane Lester Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday, adding to his seven prior wins from 33 starts and boosting...
Sword Of Legacy's determined win follows Band Of Brothers' Ramornie success
Matthew Dunn's stable has enjoyed a prosperous week, capped by Sword Of Legacy's hard-fought victory at Rosehill. This triumph arrived just three days after Band Of Brothers, carrying the same lime, purple, and gold Hesket Thoroughbreds silks of David Moodie, captured the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton.Sword Of Legacy, sent out...
Ko Phangan claims Byerley Handicap at Flemington
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable continues its impressive run in qualifying races for Classic contenders with Ko Phangan's recent victory at Flemington.Ko Phangan's win in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) secures a coveted ballot exemption for either the Victoria Derby (2500m) or the VRC Oaks (2500m) during the Melbourne...
Joint Venture earns carnival ticket with Rosehill triumph
A late-developing two-year-old, Joint Venture, is now in contention for the initial three-year-old feature races after securing a crucial win at Rosehill.The impeccably bred son of I Am Invincible, a $625,000 yearling acquisition for the Newgate stallions syndicate, displayed significant progress from his debut second at Wyong, asserting his class...
Betwitchery ready to extend winning streak first-up
Betwitchery is set to extend her winning sequence as she makes her return to the racetrack at Flemington.The Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin-trained mare is scheduled to begin her new racing campaign in the VRC Member Brendan Sobozynski Plate, a 1200-metre contest, this Saturday.Betwitchery, who has won five...
Littlefield targets Magnolia Cup after Flemington engagements
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is scheduled to travel back to the UK in approximately a week to participate in a charity race at the renowned Glorious Goodwood Festival.The Magnolia Cup is a distinguished charity event this year supporting Education Above All. It aims to gather funds to ensure access to education,...
General Salute set for Winter Challenge under favourable wet conditions
The arrival of overnight rain has alleviated Sterling Alexiou's primary concern regarding General Salute's prospects in the final black-type race of the Sydney season, following his recent victory in the Winter Stakes.All four of the gelding's previous wins have been recorded on rain-affected tracks. Earlier in the week, with Rosehill...
Burning Heartz set for Adelaide Stakes test
Trainer Gavin Bedggood envisions a future for Burning Heartz in an Oaks race, but his immediate goal is to secure some valuable Stakes black type for the filly.Burning Heartz, a winner on debut at Sandown on July 1, is now heading to Adelaide to contest the Group 3 South Australian...