The nominees for the prestigious 2024/2025 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards have been announced today by Racing Queensland in association with Racing Australia.
The spectacular line up of finalists to take out the top gong “Australian Racehorse of the Year” extends to our equine greats: Antino, Bella Nipotina, Treasurethe Moment, Via Sistina and Broadsiding.
This year’s awards will be held on Sunday, 31 August at ‘The Star’ Brisbane in a thrilling double header that will also see the likes of Winx and Black Caviar being elevated to Legend Status in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame ceremony.
With racing’s night of nights just over a month away, Racing Queensland’s Interim CEO, Mr Lachlan Murray announced "Racing Queensland is honoured to host this year's Australian Racehorse of the Year ceremony, celebrating the stars of our sport and their outstanding achievements over the last season. This year's crop of finalists across all categories are nothing short of elite, and it's great to see Queensland well represented by Knight's Choice, Antino and Cool Archie.”
The Racehorse of the Year awards acknowledge performances on Australian racecourses, as well as international performances by Australian-trained horses for the period from 1 August 2024 to 31 July 2025.
Contenders for the Champion Two-Year-Old category include Queensland’s very own J.J. Atkins winner, Cool Archie trained by Chris and Cory Munce, with Nepotism, Vinrock and Golden Slipper winner, Marhoona all standouts in their own right in the juveniles.
In the Champion 3YO Colt and Gelding category, Broadsiding, last season’s champion 2YO is up against in form Private Harry whose 5 wins from 5 starts include the G1 Galaxy, with Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker, and Switzerland, whose stunning victory in the Coolmore round out a very exciting lineup.
The Three-Year-Old Filly category is down to the wire with an elite line up featuring Lady Shenandoah who has proved her dominance with wins in the Group 1 Flight and Surround Stakes as well as the G1 Coolmore. The brilliant Treasurethe Moment whose stunning wins in the VRC Oaks, the ATC Oaks and the G1Vinery place her as a very serious contender, along with ATC Derby winner Aeliana, and Autumn Glow who has already had four wins from four starts.
The Champion Sprinter finalists feature an all-star lineup with none other than Everest winner Bella Nipotina, the All Aged and Oakleigh Plate winner Jimmysstar, Zoustar’s wonder mare, Joliestar, who enjoyed dominant wins in the Newmarket and Kingsford Smith Cup and Sunshine in Paris who stamped her brilliance in the G1 VRC Classic and Doomben 10,000.
Champion Middle Distance finalists showcase the cream of Australian Racing. The likes of world class Via Sistina, who claimed back to back victories in the Cox Plate, the Mackinnon, the Verry Eleegant, the Ranvet and the Queen Elizabeth with the all-round crowd favourite, Futurity and Cantala Stakes winner Mr Brightside, Antino - whose win in the Doomben Cup was unforgettable, and Fangirl, victorious in the Queen of the Turf, undoubtedly deserves a place in this elite group of equine heroes.
Fighting it out for the Champion Stayer will be Caulfield Cup dynamo Duke De Sessa alongside Melbourne Cup Winner Knight’s Choice and Group 1 Tancred winner Dubai Honour.
The competition is also fierce for the Champion Jumper Award. Can the Ciaron Maher trained Stern Idol go back-to-back for a third year? Hot on his heels is Duke of Bedford, with Loft and Affluential also in the mix.
In addition to our equine stars, Chris Waller has clinched, yet again for the 13th consecutive year, the title of Champion Group 1 Trainer for the season with a phenomenal 19 Group 1 wins.
Champion hoop James McDonald dominated the 2024 / 2025 racing season amassing 15 Group 1’s for the season taking out the title of Champion Group 1 Jockey for the fifth straight year.
Zoustar has ended I am Invincible’s reign as for Champion Sire with his progeny’s stakes earnings at just over $26M.
In closing, Mr Lachlan Murray welcomed all saying "We look forward to welcoming participants from all corners of Australia to the Sunshine State on Sunday, 31st August.”
