QTIS Premiers Announced

The QTIS Premiers for the 2014/15 racing season have been revealed.

Les Ross, Tony Gollan, Mishani Honcho and Walk to the Bar were the outstanding QTIS performers over the past twelve months, proving whether you are a big or small owner/trainer, you can reap the rewards of owning a Queensland bred horse.

Ross won the coveted title of 2yo QTIS Premiership Trainer on Earnings, banking a phenomenal $255,500 worth of QTIS bonus prizemoney (general prizemoney not included in these figures) for the season. Last year's Premier, Krystle Johnston, was second with $206,000 and Liam Birchley came in third, earning $105,900 in QTIS bonuses.

Ross was helped along significantly by his two top runners, Mishani Honcho (by Jet Spur) and Frequendly (by Sequalo) who placed first and second on the QTIS Premiership table for 2yos by Earnings. Mishani Honcho collected $139,500 in QTIS bonus prizemoney and Frequendly earned $84,500. The Chris Munce trained Wicked Intent (by Wicked Style) rounded out the trifecta with $73,500.

"It was a dream come true to have the two best two year olds in Queensland – Mishani Honcho and Frequendly," said Ross.

"QTIS is a great scheme, the bonus prize money puts us right up there, on par with Sydney."
Ross might be at the top of the chart again in the 2015/16 season. He has heavily invested in QTIS, buying up big at the yearling sales earlier this year.

"I actually really concentrated on the fillies for this new season to target those Fillies Bonus races (of $78,000 to the winner)," said Ross.

"I usually only have a handful of runners, but I've got over twenty this year and some really well-bred ones."

Tony Gollan is also excited about the start of the new racing season, although it will be a tough task to better the past twelve months.

Gollan not only beat the late Bruce McLachlan's long-standing 1987/88 record of training 78 metropolitan winners in a season, but he has been crowned 3yo QTIS Premiership Trainer on Earnings.

"That's fantastic, it means we've got a lot of QTIS money in the bank so that's always a good thing," Gollan laughed.

"QTIS is such a great scheme and this new season it's even bigger and better and it's terrific to see that the three year olds are also recognised, it's not just for two year olds."

Gollan has always been a big supporter of QTIS and Queensland-bred horses, training the likes of Spirit of Boom and Temple of Boom, who sold for under $50,000 and have earned over $2 million in prizemoney.

"QTIS horses are a great return for your investment, you don't have to spend big to win big, you can buy a nice Queensland horse that does the job, because ultimately a fast horse is a fast horse no matter where it's from," said Gollan.

Gollan only just clinched the QTIS 3yo Premiership title by $200 from Toowoomba trainer Michael Nolan. Nolan had sat at the top of the table since March and had a $20,500 lead over Gollan going into July. Nolan finished the season with $175,000 in QTIS bonus prizemoney, Gollan with $175,200. Robert Heathcote was third with $149,800.

The Rob McCall trained Walk to the Bar (by All Bar One) was the top QTIS earner for 3yos, collecting $70,800 for the season. Amizade (by Monashee Mountain) who is trained by Desleigh Forster was only a neck behind with $68,800 and the Robert Heathcote trained Fusina was third with $59,800 in QTIS bonus prizemoney.

"Congratulations to all our QTIS Premiers," said Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association President, Basil Nolan.

"It's fantastic to see that everyone who supports our Queensland industry can reap the rewards and be recognised for their efforts. I look forward to the new racing season and the substantial increases to the QTIS bonuses."

You can find all the QTIS Premiership results on the TBQA website www.queenslandbreeders.com.au

You can see the full results, and follow the statistics each month on the TBQA website www.queenslandbreeders.com.au