Fangirl awarded NSW Champion Horse of the Year
Off the back of a brilliant 2023/24 season which saw her snare two Group 1 wins, the Chris Waller-trained Fangirl (Sebring) was crowned NSW Champion Horse of the Year and NSW Miler of the Year at Racing’s Night of Champions on Thursday evening.
Fangirl got last season off to a flying start with a courageous win in the Winx Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m). Two starts later she produced a dominant performance in the King Charles III Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m).
The first award to be announced was Champion Two-Year-Old which went to Godolphin’s dual Group 1 winner Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot). The James Cummings-trained colt’s first stakes win came in the Fernhill Handicap (Listed, 1600m) in April, following up that win with an impressive victory in the Champagne Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) a week later. He further added to his tally with a win in the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) at Eagle Farm, before striking his second Group 1 win when he blitzed the field in the J.J. Atkins (Gr 1, 1600m).
The mantle for Champion Three-Year-Old went to ATC Derby (Gr 1, 2400m), Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m), and Rosehill Guineas (Gr 1, 2000m) victor, Riff Rocket.
The Everest hero Think About It (So You Think) was awarded NSW Sprinter of the Year, while the Ciaron Maher-trained Pride of Jenni was recognised as the Champion Middle Distance Horse after saluting in the All-Star Mile (1600m) and three Group 1 races, including her famous demolition job in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m).
Pride Of Jenni’s stablemate Circle Of Fire (Almanzor) was crowned the Stayer of the Year after producing an impressive performance to snatch the Chairman’s Quality (Gr 2, 2600m). The import reasserted his dominance just seven days later in the Sydney Cup (Gr 1, 3200m).
Zougotcha (Zoustar) won The Queen of the Autumn award. Judged by the Australian Turf Club on races restricted to fillies and mares, the daughter of Zoustar (Northern Meteor) was honoured on Thursday after her victories in the Queen Of The Turf (Gr 1, 1600m) and Coolmore Classic (Gr 1, 1500m).
Dual The Kosciuszko (1200m) winner Front Page (Magnus) was declared Country Champion Horse, and fan favourite Think It Over was named Provincial Champion Horse, with both awards determined by a Racing NSW panel.
Chris Waller picked up his 14th successive T J Smith Award for Leading Sydney Trainer and took home the prestigious Bart Cummings Medal, while Zac Lloyd took out his second Theo Green Award for leading Sydney apprentice with 60½ wins for the season, defeating runner-up Dylan Gibbons (36 winners) who is now a fully-fledged jockey.
James McDonald won his eighth George Moore Award for the Sydney Jockeys’ Premiership with 90 wins for the season, edging out Nash Rawiller (81 wins).
The BOBS Horse of the Year Award went to In Flight (Flying Artie), who amassed $78,750 in BOBS earnings.
The Sydney Strapper of the Year was Ashish Kumar from the Bjorn Baker stable and the Caryl Williamson Racing Writers’ Personality of the Year was awarded to trainer Adrian Bott.