Emulating the champion mare Winx’s accolades at Racing’s Night of Champions in 2019, the now-retired Anamoe stole the show by taking out Champion Miler (sponsored by Wild Oaks), Champion Middle Distance Horse (sponsored by Woppitt Bloodstock) and Champion Horse of the Year (sponsored by TAB) at the 2023 edition of the NSW Racehorse Owners Association’s flagship awards night. Having triumphed in six Group 1 events over the season, there was little doubt Anamoe would take out the pinnacle award.
Guests at the glittering event stepped out on the red carpet with Sky Thoroughbred Central’s Chantelle Buckley and Ally Mosley interviewing key players as they entered the Royal Randwick Ballroom.
As Racing’s Night of Champions’ 2023 charity partner, KARI Foundation opened the evening with a stirring acknowledgment of Country by the KARI Singers. Dedicated to fostering empowerment and progress among First Nations people and communities throughout Australia, the KARI Foundation stands as a beacon of transformative programs. KARI Foundation’s First Nations Employment Program operates in alliance with the racing industry to create career pathways and proceeds from Racing’s Night of Champions will be used to expand this initiative.
The first award to be presented was Champion Two-Year-Old (sponsored by City Tattersalls Group), which went to the Coolmore-managed colt, Shinzo. Victorious in the G1 Golden Slipper and G3 Pago Pago Stakes, his win was no surprise despite fellow finalists being Militarize and Cylinder, who no doubt will be prominent players again this Spring.
The mantle for Champion Three-Year-Old (sponsored by Inglis) came down to a tie. Coolmore and Newmarket Stakes winner In Secret shared the honour with Giga Kick, who captured The TAB Everest and the All Aged Stakes. Champion Sprinter (sponsored by the ATC) also went to Giga Kick, whose award was accepted by his trainer, Clayton Douglas.
The award for Champion Stayer (sponsored by Highclere & Sire Custodians) was taken out by the Caulfield Cup & Newcastle Gold Cup winner, Durston (GB). Highclere was on both sides of the presentation as the sponsor and winning owner.
The Queen of the Autumn (sponsored by Carrazzo Consulting), which is judged by the ATC on races restricted to fillies and mares, also finished in a tie this year. Sunshine In Paris and Atishu (NZ) could not be split, their connections both walking away with the iconic horsehead trophy and title.
Champion Country Horse (sponsored by SKY Thoroughbred Central) proved challenging for the judges at Racing NSW. With so many well performed horses during the season, the unprecedented step of announcing five finalists was taken. Out of this strong pool of talent, Opal Ridge emerged triumphant.
Champion Provincial Horse (sponsored by SKY Thoroughbred Central) was announced as Icebath (NZ), winner of the G1 Empire Rose Stakes, nudging out fellow G1 winner Amokura and the popular and wonderfully consistent Group mare, Hope In Your Heart.
While Anamoe won Champion Horse of the Year (sponsored by TAB), he had worthy contestants in Dubai Honour (Ire), a visitor who took out The Ranvet and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and equal-Champion Three-Year-Old and Champion Sprinter, Giga Kick.
“We were blown away by the standard of horses across all categories this year,” NSWROA President, Tony Mitevski said. “As is evidenced by two dead heats, it was not an easy job for the judges who followed up after our points calculations. We thank Racing NSW and the ATC for their contributions to the judging decisions.
“As always, we wouldn’t be able to stage Racing’s Night of Champions without our wonderful sponsors, many of whom have supported the event for several years.”
The Racing’s Night of Champions Award Winners for the 2022/23 season are:
Racing’s Night of Champions also hosted Racing NSW’s annual awards on the night.
Chris Waller picked up his thirteenth successive T J Smith Award for Leading Sydney Trainer, however his twelve successive Bart Cummings Awards run came to a halt this year when apprentice jockey Zac Lloyd took out this prestigious honour. It was the first time an apprentice jockey has won and he was only the third jockey in the history of the award.
Zac also took home the Theo Green Award for Leading Sydney Apprentice. His family were all in the room to share the excitement, including his father, retired jockey Jeff Lloyd, to whom Zac gave particular mention for his guidance.
Other awards presented included the George Moore Award, taken out for the seventh time by jockey James McDonald.
The BOBS Horse of the Year Award went to Insurrection and the Sydney Strapper of the Year was Phylisha Doyle from the Chris Waller stable, who thanked her boss (in advance) for the next morning off!
The Caryl Williamson Racing Writers’ Personality of the Year was awarded to young jockey, Dylan Gibbons.
Angus Robertson from Inglis alongside sidekick Luke Marlow conducted a highly successful and entertaining live auction, which was supported by a silent auction and raffle for the KARI Foundation.
Guests were then free to continue the celebrations on the dance floor to the funky sounds of the Baker Boys Band.
The first replay of the event will be shown on SKY Thoroughbred Central at 8.30pm Friday, 1st September, with re-runs scheduled for the following days.
For more information, please visit the NSWROA website at www.nswroa.com.au.
