Nature Strip named Australian Racehorse of the Year
Top sprinter joins greats of the turf as Waller dominates virtual ceremony, presented from Brisbane
Winners
Champion 2YO – Farnan
Champion 3YO Colt/Gelding – Yes Yes Yes
Champion 3YO Filly – Loving Gaby
Champion Sprinter – Nature Strip
Champion Middle Distance Horse – Regal Power/Fierce Impact
Champion Stayer – Vow And Declare
Champion Sire – Snitzel
Group 1 Jockey of the Year – Craig Williams
Group 1 Trainer of the Year – Chris Waller
Champion Jumper – Tallyho Twinkletoe
Nature Strip (6 g Nicconi – Strikeline by Desert Sun) was last night named Australian Racehorse of the Year for the 2019-20 season, giving trainer Chris Waller his fifth straight victory in Australia’s most prominent equine award, while former stablemate Yes Yes Yes (4 c Rubick – Sin Sin Sin by Fantastic Light) became the first Champion Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding to secure the title without a Group 1 win to his name.
The ceremony was due to be held in Brisbane this year but, due to Covid-19 restrictions, was instead presented virtually by Sky Racing’s Bernadette Cooper from an empty Eagle Farm, being broadcast on both Sky Thoroughbred Central and Racing.com.
Nature Strip had been widely expected to pick up the title in a year where he dominated the sprinting ranks, taking out the Moir Stakes (Gr 1, 1000m), the VRC Sprint Classic (Gr 1, 1200m) and the T J Smith Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) in emphatic fashion.
However, managing owner Rod Lyons still said it was a “pleasant surprise” to be able to join some of the champions of the Australian turf, like Winx (Street Cry), Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), Makybe Diva (Desert King), Might And Power (Zabeel) and Kingston Town (Bletchingly) as the country’s top horse.
“It’s a wonderful thrill,” Lyons said. “There are some great horses around in this country, some great trainers, and so to have won this award is something quite special. I’m sure all of the owners across the length and breadth of Australia and New Zealand are just as proud and thrilled as I am.
“A special thanks to Chris, to J-Mac (regular rider James McDonald) and particularly Stuey (Stuart Williams) who rides him work on a regular basis, he’s got him where he is today. This trophy is every bit as much theirs as it is ours.”
For Waller, who had won the award with Winx the last four years before adding a fifth title with Nature Strip, it was a satisfying result given the gelding’s notorious quirks earlier in his career.
“It is amazing to get a horse like this, he has gone from a horse that has been a genuine Group 2 winner, and then in one season has won multiple Group 1 races including the biggest sprint races on the racing calendar,” Waller said.
“It is a privilege to be part of his career and respect should also be given to my team for the work they have done with Nature Strip behind the scenes making sure that he is well prepared and continues to peak throughout each preparation resulting in some really big wins.
“Obviously those who voted for him to be Australia’s Horse of the Year share our sentiments towards the horse and we are looking forward to the spring unfolding with some more exciting wins.”
Winx in 2016 had been the first Sydney-trained horse to be named Australia’s champion racehorse since Lonhro (Octagonal) in 2004, but the award has remained based in Sydney’s west since then.
Nature Strip’s title means that Widden Stud’s Nicconi (Bianconi) becomes only the second active sire to have produced an Australian Racehorse of the Year, along with Sun Stud’s Bel Esprit (Royal Academy), sire of Black Caviar.
“Nicconi has always had terrific statistics, a great strike-rate of winners to runners, and so many lovely horses and we’ve always had plenty of time for him,” Widden principal Antony Thompson told ANZ Bloodstock News earlier this year. “We believed he’d get that star and he’s certainly done that in Nature Strip, who is the fastest horse in the world. He’s been a great feather in the cap for Nicconi and it really cements what a fantastic sire he is.”
Another win for Everest hero Yes Yes Yes
Coolmore Stud was also celebrating after freshman sire Yes Yes Yes, who was also trained by Waller during his short racing career, was named Champion Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding, taking out a strong category that featured Group 1 winners Bivouac (Exceed And Excel), Alligator Blood (All Too Hard), Castelvecchio (Dundeel) and Russian Camelot (Camelot) as rivals.
In fact, last year’s winner of the $15 million The Everest (1200m) became the first ever to take the prize without a Group 1 victory to his name, signalling once again the significance of The Everest despite its lack of black type status.
“I’d like to dedicate this award to all the staff at Chris Waller’s yard, particularly Chris himself and Mick Channon Jnr too but everyone in that operation who gets up day after day, before the sun comes up,” Coolmore Australia’s Tom Magnier said. “It’s thanks to you that we are here accepting an award like this. They did an unbelievable job with this horse to get him to The Everest and it was something I will never forget.
“To have the first colt to win The Everest and in record time, it’s truly exciting and to have him at home in the breeding barn, it’s a real thrill.”
Farnan lands champion juvenile honours
Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Farnan (3 c Not A Single Doubt – Tallow by Street Cry) was named last season’s Champion Two-Year-Old in what was arguably the strongest of the categories in terms of depth.
Only twice in the last decade has the award not gone to the Golden Slipper winner: in 2018-19 with Microphone (Exceed And Excel) and in 2013-14 with Earthquake (Exceed And Excel). In order to secure the title, though, Farnan – who also won the Todman Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m), Silver Slipper Stakes (Gr 2, 1100m) and the Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1100m), along with a maiden success at Canberra – had to prevail against a top line-up of youngsters.
Among his rivals for the award were Group 1 winners Tagaloa (Lord Kanaloa), Rothfire (Rothesay) and King’s Legacy (Redoute’s Choice) – the last-named the only contender to win two Group 1 races as a juvenile – while bombproof filly Away Game (Snitzel), winner of the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (RL, 1200m), completed the line-up.
“He’s had a remarkable year,” said Aquis Farm chief Shane McGrath, on behalf of the ownership group that now includes Kia Ora Stud as well as Phoenix Thoroughbreds. “This is what dreams are made of and it’s great to be able to share it with such great people. We look forward to next year when he’s named Champion Three-Year-Old.”
Added co-trainer Adrian Bott: “He’s thoroughly deserving of the title and on behalf of Gai Waterhouse and myself, I can certainly say it’s been a real privilege to train the horse.”
Farnan will run in this weekend’s Roman Consul Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) before backing up a week later in The Everest, where he holds the Aquis slot.
He was not the only award winner to have sported the Phoenix Thoroughbreds silks throughout his champion season.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Loving Gaby (4 m I Am Invincible – Maastricht by Mastercraftsman), winner of the Manikato Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) and the William Reid Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) along with three Group 1 placings throughout her three-year-old season, was named Champion Three-Year-Old Filly.
Also recognised was Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) hero Vow And Declare (5 g Declaration Of War – Geblitzt by Testa Rossa), who was named Champion Stayer, while Group 1 winners Regal Power (5 g Pierro – Broadway Belle by Redoute’s Choice) and Fierce Impact (7 g Deep Impact – Keiai Gerbera by Smarty Jones) shared the Champion Middle Distance Horse title.
Snitzel recognised for fourth success
The virtual ceremony recognised the exploits of Arrowfield Stud’s Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) in landing his fourth consecutive Australian Champion Sire title, becoming the most decorated stallion since his grandsire, the pioneering Danehill (Danzig).
It was the eighth time in the last 15 years that an Arrowfield stallion has been crowned Australia’s leading sire.
“Snitzel has done an amazing job having won the title the last four years,” said Paul Messara in accepting the award for Arrowfield. “It’s very exciting for the farm and for all of our team here. It’s been a big group effort, it takes a whole village to achieve these championships.
“It’s also about the breeders who have used him over the years, it’s a combined effort and we thank all of our supporters. We’re very excited about his achievements.”
Aside from the Champion Sire title, determined by earnings, and the two Group 1 titles for trainer (Chris Waller) and jockey (Craig Williams), which is based on wins, each of the categories was determined by the votes of more than 70 members of the media and handicappers.
Australian Racehorse of the Year
2019-20 Nature Strip
2018-19 Winx
2017-18 Winx
2016-17 Winx
2015-16 Winx
2014-15 Dissident
2013-14 Lankan Rupee
2012-13 Black Caviar
2011-12 Black Caviar
2010-11 Black Caviar
2009-10 Typhoon Tracy
2008-09 Scenic Blast
2007-08 Weekend Hussler
2006-07 Miss Andretti
2005-06 Makybe Diva
2004-05 Makybe Diva
2003-04 Lonhro
2002-03 Northerly
2001-02 Sunline
2000-01 Sunline