Blake Shinn lands second straight Breasley Medal
Jockey Blake Shinn has been announced the recipient of a second straight Scobie Breasley Medal for riding excellence in Victoria.
The Scobie Breasley Medal is awarded on a 3-2-1 voting basis by Racing Victoria Stewards for the best ride at each of the metropolitan meetings throughout the season.
Shinn, who finished second to Damian Lane on the Victorian Jockeys’ premiership, polled 72 votes to lead home Lane by just four votes and claim a third victory in the Scobie Breasley Medal.
The Scobie Breasley Medal top five was rounded out by Daniel Stackhouse (31 votes), Harry Coffey (27) with Victorian and Metropolitan Apprentices’ Premiership winner Celine Gaudray (24) who claimed fifth position on a countback from Billy Egan and Jye Mcneil.
It was an intriguing battle as Lane led Shinn 40 to 26 at the halfway point of the count before Shinn powered home in the second half of the season.
It was a cluttered leader board despite the runaway pair with just five votes separating fifth to 14th at the end of the count.
While Lane may have missed out on the Scobie Breasley Medal, he did secure his maiden Roy Higgins Medal for winning the Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership as well as being the overall Victorian Jockeys’ Premiership winner, the first rider to claim both titles since Luke Nolen in the 2009-10 season, along with the Damien Oliver Most Valuable Jockey, voted on by his peers.
Father and son training duo Anthony and Sam Freedman landed the inaugural Most Outstanding Training Performance for winning the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double with Without A Fight while that horse was judged the Victorian Racehorse of the Year.
Sam Freedman was also awarded the Colin Alderson Rising Star Award, given to the trainer aged 40 or under whose career is on an upwards trajectory.
Apprentice Jaylah Kennedy was judged the Victorian Jockeys’ Associations Rising Star by her fellow riders while Aaron Kuru won the Tommy Corrigan Medal, the jumps equivalent of the Scobie Breasley Medal, for the second straight year.
Ciaron Maher received a fourth straight Fred Hoysted Medal after claiming the Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership while he also collecting a fifth straight Victorian Trainers’ Premiership.
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...