Out with the old and in with the new
The transition from the 2020-21 season literally happens overnight and there is now a new campaign, filled with hope and optimism, to grab our interest. But not before some reflection.
In last week’s Kiwi Chronicles, much space was given to the NZTBA Breeders’ Awards, especially the Broodmare of the Year.
Not to be confused with those awards is the Horse of the Year Awards conducted by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR).
NZTR annually recognises a broader range of categories, some human, but mostly equine, and their Awards Dinner is scheduled for Sunday, September 12.
Of the people awards, one is Trainer of the Year and, due to his supreme dominance, Jamie Richards is the one, and only, nomination.
Since the departure of previous co-trainer and mentor Stephen Autridge and going solo, Richards has been unstoppable in his quest to re-write the record books. Yet, through this remarkable rise, he remains totally modest.
When interviewed he never fails to make the point that it is a major team effort, beginning with the purchasing prowess of Te Akau’s David Ellis, the huge syndication efforts by David’s wife Karen and, probably, the most important, Richards’ stable team members.
Modesty aside, Richards has built a reputation of being totally dedicated, astute and is prepared to put in the long hours, from studying sales catalogues, looking at potential stable runners (from weanlings to two-year-olds) and spending most of his waking hours making the Te Akau racing stable the best it can be.
That NZTR saw fit to put forward a single nominee is really no surprise.
Talking of interviews, it seems that being able to handle the media is another modern-day asset, one which has changed the face of trainers and jockeys. It’s as if we (the public) know these stars better than in the past.
Fifty years ago, Richards would have appeared in various publications as J. Richards (as distinct from Jamie).
This “friendlier” and closer association has affected other sports, too. In printed news reports of New Zealand sports stars they were, in the past, referred to by their initials and surname. The famous All Black fullback and goal kicker D.B. Clarke and New Zealand’s best-known golfer, R.J. Charles, come to mind.
Racing, too, was once rather staid. C.M. Jillings, R.C. Verner, and D.J. O’Sullivan are examples of the printed reference yet hardly ever Colin, Ray or Dave. In person, perhaps. Otherwise, printing first names was considered as being much too informal.
Initials actually make up the first name of one of the three nominees for Jockey of the Year. Opie Bosson is really O.P. (Owen Patrick), almost a throwback to the past.
Bosson, Craig Grylls and Danielle Johnson make up the three and all can make solid claims for the award.
Bosson’s seven New Zealand Group 1 wins and a strike rate (number of rides for every winner) of 4.11 stand out. His 15 stakes wins ties Johnson’s, who both head this particular category.
Craig Grylls is from a family of top-line jockeys. Both his grandfather (John) and father (Gary) were among the best of their time, so for Craig to also make a big noise is no shock. He is coming off his New Zealand career-best season of 83 wins and his mounts earned $2.67 million, the second highest for the season.
Danielle Johnson’s mounts earned $3.56 million from 151 winners. Her margin of 60 winners ahead of the next best total is astounding. In 825 rides her strike rate is a fabulous 5.46.
Three Jumps Jockeys will fight out their award led by Shaun Fannin with 16 wins including four features and a strike rate of 2.94. Another Shaun, this time Phelan, got off to a late start due to injury yet ended the season with a strike rate of 3.83 and two Premier Jumps races while newcomer Dean Parker has signalled that he will give the other nominees something to think about in future seasons.
NZTR has received nine nominees for Owner of the Year. Alphabetically they are: Joan Egan, Hermitage Thoroughbreds, Kevin Hickman, Jomara Bloodstock, Brendan & Jo Lindsay (and Partners), New Zealand Thoroughbred Holdings (Gerry Harvey), Kevin Tyler, Sir Peter Vela and Waikato Stud.
The equine awards total seven, made up of six separate categories from which the overall Horse of the Year will be named.