breednet.com.au

Verry Elleegant Crowned Australian Horse of the Year

Media Release - Monday October 11

Champion mare Verry Elleegant was crowned on Monday night as Australian Racehorse of the Year following an outstanding season that encapsulated five Group 1 victories.

The winner of more than $9.3 million in prizemoney, Verry Elleegant’s racing season was highlighted by her wins in the Winx Stakes, the Caulfield Cup, Turnbull Stakes, Chipping Norton Stakes and Ranvet Stakes.

Verry Elleegant’s connections also received awards for the Champion Middle Distance horse and the Champion Stayer of 2021.

NZ bred Verry Elleegant is the 2021 Australian Horse of the Year.

With COVID restrictions remaining in place, this year’s virtual ceremony was broadcast live via Sky Thoroughbred Central.

Advertisement

The awards acknowledge performances on Australian racecourses, as well as international performances by Australian-trained horses for the period 1 August 2020 to 31 July 2021.

Each category finalist was eligible for the Australian Racehorse of the Year title, one of two major awards on the night, the other being Racing NSW’s prestigious Bart Cummings Medal, won by premier trainer Chris Waller for the 11th successive year.

In the national awards, brilliant colt Stay Inside was crowned Champion Two-Year-Old while Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas winner, Ole Kirk was declared Champion Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding.

Chris Waller’s Hungry Heart, winner of the Phar Lap Stakes, Vinery Stakes and Australian Oaks is Champion Three-Year-Old filly.

Speedster Nature Strip, winner of the Black Caviar Lightning then the TJ Smith Stakes during The Championships at Royal Randwick, beat a fantastic line-up for Champion Sprinter including The Everest winner Classique Legend, Bivouac and Eduardo.

The courage and stamina of tough-as-teak winner of the Grand Annual Steeplechase - Gold Medals - was acknowledged by taking out the Champion Jumper award. Chris Waller, with 341 winners last season and prizemoney topping $43.5m, clinched the Champion Group 1 Trainer award.

James McDonald took out the Champion Group 1 Jockey title after bbooting home eight Group 1 winners, while Written Tycoon is Australia’s Champion Stallion..

Racing NSW’s Awards for Excellence featured premier trainer Chris Waller’s Bart Cummings Medal and TJ Smith award wins. James McDonald, with 131 Sydney Metropolitan winners for the year, scored the George Moore award, while Tom Sherry won the Theo Green award for leading Sydney apprentice.
 
The Sydney Strapper of the Year award went to Clare Heuston, an employee of Chris Waller Racing for 12 years. As well as her hands on strapping role, Clare has the thankless job of cleaning, ironing and sorting of colours for the NSW stable’s 1000-plus runners.
 
BOBS Horse of the Year is Oscar Zulu who netted $90,000 in BOBS bonuses for his connections with three successive victories at Rosehill Gardens.
 
Finally, the Caryl Williamson Racing Writers’ Media Personality of the Year award went to top jockey Tommy Berry who enjoyed a career-best season with 111 Sydney winners. The media acknowledged Tommy as a wonderful ambassador for racing, obliging to the media and for his promotion of the sport.
 
 
Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday April 23
Here is the full list of 15 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vinery Stud Announce 2024 Fees
Hawaii Five Oh is an exciting newcomer to Vinery Stud’s seven-strong roster and breeders will be pleased to know that there have been no service fee increases to the line-up this year.
Cambridge Stud Announce 2024 Fees
Off the back of announcing a world class addition to the 2024 stallion line-up, Cambridge Stud has announced service fees for its full roster.
The Autumn Sun Injured
Fresh from siring his first Group I winner in ATC Australian Oaks winner Autumn Angel, The Autumn Sun has suffered a pelvic injury with Arrowfield Stud hopeful he will make a full recovery before the breeding season starts on September 1.
$300,000 Mare in Foal to Too Darn Hot Tops Inglis Digital
Brae Sokolski secured the top lot in tonight’s ‘full’ Inglis Digital April (Late) Sale, buying proven broodmare Molto Allegro - in foal to Too Darn Hot – from the Oakland Park reduction for $300,000.
Per Incanto Filly Bedtime Story looking for fairytale ending to season
Promising filly Bedtime Story will be looking for a fairytale ending to her three-year-old season when she heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Gr.3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
MM National Yearling Sale Now Online
Quality offerings by an outstanding line up of proven stallions will take centre stage at the 2024 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast in early June.
Embellish 3YO Wins for Te Akau
Consistent three-year-old Beau Brummell commenced a successful journey south for jockey Warren Kennedy, who picked up a trio of winners at Phar Lap Raceway on Wednesday.
Kiwi Trained Invincible Mare Imwonderfultonight Headed for Adelaide G1
Sam Mynott has been ticking up the air miles over the Tasman Sea this week and she is hoping it will all be worth it when she lines up her first horse in Australia on Saturday.
Shall Be Takes Aim at Inglis Challenge
The promising 2-year-old Shalaa (IRE) colt Shall Be will target the $200,000 Inglis Challenge to be run on May 17 at Scone Racecourse after breaking his maiden in the New Era Technology Maiden Plate at Newcastle on Wednesday.