Thoroughbred Breeders’ New South Wales Annual Awards were presented at the Australian Turf Club’s Run To The Rose Day on Saturday at Rosehill Gardens celebrated by breeders, sponsors and their guests.
The awards once again showcased that the majority of Australian racing’s champions are sourced from the prime breeding regions in New South Wales. TBNSW President Hamish Esplin introduced the awards, with winners announced by TBNSW Vice-President, Bred To Win’s Caroline Searcy.
TBNSW sponsors presented the trophies to a wide-ranging group of award winners with representatives on hand from HQ Insurance, Horsepower Feeds and Supplements, G1 Goldmine, IRT, Carrazzo Consulting and the Australian Turf Club.
The NSW President’s Breeder Of The Year Award, sponsored by Carrazzo Consulting was won by Matthew Irwin who from less than five mares bred stakes-winners Duais (Shamus Award) and Baccarat Baby (Casino Prince). Their dam, Meerlust (Johannesburg) was bought by Matthew at the 2009 Scone Yearling Sale for $22,000 and according to the successful small breeder is, “the gift that just keeps on giving!” Matthew says “for each “breed to race” horse she’s produced, you don’t want to miss being there for the win!”
The G1 Goldmine NSW Champion Broodmare of The Year was awarded to Mull Over (So You Think) dam of 2022 Golden Slipper winner Fireburn (Rebel Dane). The award was accepted by Laurel Oak Bloodstock’s Louis Mihalyka who bought the mare from her breeder Think Big Stud in 2018. Mull Over’s first foal also won the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes and was crowned 2022 Champion two-year old.
The IRT Champion NSW Broodmare Sire title went to Redoute’s Choice (Danehill) the award accepted by Alison Brassil of Arrowfield Stud. Redoute’s Choice died in 2019 but his legacy lives on through his stallion descendants such as Snitzel, The Autumn Sun and King’s Legacy. His daughters produced racetrack stars the past season that included Anamoe, Hitotsu, Profondo, Regal Power and more. Redoute’s Choice was also named Champion Australian broodmare sire for the third time.
The Horsepower NSW Champion First Season Sire award was won by Russian Revolution (Snitzel) who stood his first season at Newgate Farm in the Hunter Valley. That season produced 47 runners and 15 winners, including 2 stakes winners. Progeny include G2 winner Revolutionary Miss, Magic Millions Classic 2nd Russian Conquest and G3 winner Rise of the Mases. His overall progeny earnings totalled over $1.8 million. Newgate Farm’s Leanna Packard proudly accepted the award on behalf of the stallion team.
The Australian Turf Club NSW Champion 2YO Sire was presented to Rebel Dane (California Dane) the award received by Laurel Oak Bloodstock on behalf of connections who are celebrating an incredible season and excited by the future of the sire who is now based at Widden Stud. Rebel Dane had only 5 runners in the season with the standout stakes-winner the Golden Slipper and ATC Sires’ Produce stakes-winner, Fireburn.
The HQ Insurance Champion NSW Sire award was presented to Yarraman Park’s I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) “Vinnie” is a regular in the top three on the national sires-list and sired 359 runners including 185 winners of 314 races last season. With progeny earnings of over $19 million I Am Invincible’s top earners were Home Affairs and Lombardo.
Fundraising after the awards’ presentation raised money for the Thoroughbred Sport Horse Association for prizemoney at equestrian events held in NSW with more than $13,000 raised thanks to auction items donated by Coolmore Stud, Godolphin Stud, Vinery Stud and Silverdale Farm.
Thoroughbred Breeders’ New South Wales congratulates all the winners and looks ahead to more racetrack success from NSW breeders in the current season.
