More than 350 industry leaders, clients and supporters, attended the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association 2022 Annual Awards in Scone to recognise the Hunter’s elite equine athletes.
“The Hunter Valley is Australia’s premier thoroughbred breeding region and Horse Capital. It is Australia’s jewel in the thoroughbred breeding crown. The breadth and depth of talent of our people and the success of our equine athletes is world renowned. We are immensely proud to recognise their achievements at tonight’s Annual Awards,” Dr Cameron Collins, HTBA President said.
“This year’s equine athlete categories were once again strongly contested," Dr Collins said.
This year’s 2022 HTBA Champion 2 year old Racehorse award winner is SHE’S EXTREME, daughter of Newgate Sire Extreme Choice out of the So Secret mare, Keysbrook. She’s Extreme embraces a Group 1 win ATC Champagne Stakes, 2nd in the ATC Sires Produce and a Group 3 win ATC Magic Night Stakes. She’s Extreme was bred by Aquis Farm Hunter Valley, raised by Willow Park Stud from a weanling. The 2022 HTBA 2 year old racehorse award, sponsored by International Animal Health.
The 2022 HTBA Champion 3 year old Racehorse was awarded to HITOTSU. Son of Maurice out of the Redoute's Choice mare, Love Is Fickle. Winner of three Group 1 races the VRC Derby, VRC Guineas and ATC Derby. Hitotsu was bred at Arrowfield Stud in partnership with Arrowfield Pastoral Pty Ltd, Belford Productions Pty Ltd, Mr H Chambers & Mr H Thomas. The 2022 HTBA 3 year old racehorse award was sponsored by Zoetis.
For the third year in a row, the 2022 HTBA Champion Racehorse was awarded to NATURE STRIP. Son of the Widden Sire Nicconi, out of multiple stakes winner producer Strikeline. Nature Strip winner of two Group 1 races the VRC Newmarket Handicap and ATC TJ Smith, 2nd in the ATC Lightning and winner of Group 3 ATC Concorde Stakes and winner of the $13 million dollar ATC Everest. Bred by Golden Grove Stud at Denman. The 2022 Champion Racehorse award, sponsored by Scone Race Club.
The 2022 HTBA Champion Broodmare Award was presented to multiple stakes winning producer MEERLUST, (graduate of HTBA Yearling sale) residing at Widden Stud for clients Michael Irwin and the Harris Family.
Meerlust is the Dam of multiple stakes winner Duais having three Group 1 wins in the last 12 months as well as a Group 3. Also, the dam of two other metropolitan winners Amiche & Amity Gal. The 2022 Champion Broodmare award was sponsored by Scone Equine Hospital.
RUSSIAN REVOLUTION was awarded 2022 HTBA Champion First Season Sire. Standing at Newgate Farm the son of Snitzel a multiple champion sire award winner, out of the mare Ballet D'Amour (Stravinsky) producer of two stakes winners. Russian Revolutions first crop of 2 year olds include winners such as Revolutionary Miss and Rise of the Masses. His first season progeny giving him a black type premiership points rating of 44 to take home this year’s title. The 2022 HTBA Champion First Season Sire award, sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research | Barastoc Ridley Partnership.
The 2022 HTBA Champion Sire was awarded to Arrowfield’s Stud SNITZEL. Multiple Champion Sire Award winner, Snitzel’s numerous stakes winning progeny including Wild Ruler, Yearning, In The Congo and many more raked up 417 points on the black type premiership leader board for the period. Proudly presented by long time HTBA Champion Sire Award Sponsors Inglis.
The HTBA congratulates all 2022 award winners and extends our gratitude to all sponsors for their support of these awards and the HTBA’s activities to promote, protect and preserve the Hunter’s world leading thoroughbred breeding industry and the champion athletes we produce. The HTBA also thanks our awards media partner Sky Racing and Bred To Win who will be telecasting highlights of the Awards night on their program.
