Australian Racehorse of the Year nominees announced
In an exciting announcement, Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) in collaboration with Racing Australia has unveiled the nominees for the highly esteemed 2022/2023 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards.
The grand event is scheduled to take place at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 23. This year promises to be an exceptional double-header evening, as it will also host the Australian Racing Hall of Fame ceremony.
The Australian Racehorse of the Year awards serve as a tribute to outstanding performances on Australian racecourses, as well as remarkable feats achieved by Australian-trained horses on the international stage. The evaluation period spans from August 1, 2022, to July 31, 2023.
Nominees in each category have earned their spots through the votes of over 70 esteemed figures in the racing community, including media experts, handicappers, and form analysts.
Each nominee carries the chance of being crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year, an honour that has been bestowed upon legends like Winx, Nature Strip, Verry Elleegant, Black Caviar, Sunline, and Makybe Diva in the past.
The category for Champion Two-Year-Old features formidable contenders such as Shinzo, the Golden Slipper (1200m) champion trained by Chris Waller, Militarize, winner of the Sires Produce (1400m) and Champagne Stakes (1600m), Cylinder, who triumphed in the Silver Slipper (1100m), Little Brose, the Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) victor, and King Colorado, the JJ Atkins (1600m) conqueror.
In the race for Champion Colts or Geldings, last year’s Everest (1200m) and All Aged Stakes (1400m) winner, Giga Kick, faces stiff competition from the likes of Jacquinot, the C F Orr Stakes (1400m) champion, Golden Mile, the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) victor, Kovalica, who seized the Queensland Derby (2400m), and Sharp ‘n’ Smart, the exciting Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) winner.
The Champion Three-Year-Old Filly category showcases exceptional talents including In Secret, winner of the Group 1 Coolmore (1200m) and Newmarket (1200m), Coolangatta, who triumphed in the Group 1 Lightning (1000m) and Moir Stakes (1000m), Amelia’s Jewel, the golden girl from WA and Group 1 Northerly (1800m) winner, Prowess, the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) victor, and Legarto, the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) champion.
The Champion Sprinter category features brilliant performers from the season, including the Golden Eagle (1500m) and TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) winner, I Wish I Win, alongside Giga Kick, Anamoe, In Secret, and Joe Pride’s Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) sensation, Think About It.
Leading the charge for the Champion Middle Distance award is Anamoe, with unforgettable performances in the George Main Stakes (1500m), Cox Plate (2040m), Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m), and George Ryder Stakes (1600m). Mr Brightside’s magnificent victories in the All Star Mile (1600m) and Doncaster Mile (1600m) also position him as a strong contender. Dubai Honour, winner of the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) and Ranvet Stakes (2400m), joins the lineup, alongside I’m Thunderstruck, victor of the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m). The crowd favourite, Alligator Blood, who conquered the Underwood Stakes (1800m) and Futurity Stakes (1600m), completes this exceptional list of finalists.
The battle for the Champion Stayer title will be fiercely contested by Durston, Explosive Jack, Golden Mile, Without A Fight, and Kovalica.
In the Champion Jumper Award category, contenders include Bell Ex One, Circle The Sun, Stern Idol trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Saunter Boy, and Rockstar Ronnie.
After an extraordinary racing season, Chris Waller secures the Champion Group 1 Trainer award for the fourth consecutive year, while James McDonald clinches the Group 1 Champion Jockey title for the third consecutive year. Meanwhile, I am Invincible retains its title as Australia’s Champion Sire for back-to-back years.