"The Hunter Valley is Australia's premier thoroughbred breeding region and Horse Capital. It is Australia's jewel in the thoroughbred breeding crown. The breadth and depth of talent of our people and the success of our equine athletes is world renowned. We are immensely proud to recognise their achievements at tonight's Annual Awards" Dr Cameron Collins, HTBA President said.
"This year's equine athlete categories were once again strongly contested. It is both humbling and inspiring to acknowledge that our 2019 Champion Racehorse, is a national and international icon. " Dr Collins said".
This year's 2019 HTBA Champion 2 year old filly award is claimed by Kiamichi, daughter of Leading Australian First Season Sire Darley's Sidestep out of Ouachita. Kiamichi was of course also the winner of the 2019 Golden Slipper. Kiamichi was bred by Godophin Australia at its historic Woodlands Stud. The 2019 HTBA 2 year old filly award, sponsored by CopRice, was presented by NSW Sales Manager, Lisa Clarke and accepted by Godolphin Woodlands General Manager, John Sunderland.
The 2019 HTBA Champion 2 year old colt award, sponsored by International Animal Health Products, was awarded to Microphone, son of Exceed and Excel (HTBA's 2013 Champion First Season Sire), out of Sung. Microphone is also bred by Godolphin Australia, who are having a stellar year on the track. The 2019 HTBA 2 year old colt award was presented by International Animal Health Product's Managing Director Chris Lawlor and accepted by Godolphin Kelvinside Stud Manager, Barley Ward-Thomas.
The 2019 HTBA Champion 3 year old filly was awarded to Sunlight. Daughter of Widden Stud's Stallion Zoustar, last year's First Season Sire Award winner, and out of stake winning mare Solar Charged. Sunlight was bred by Widden Stud Australia, Qatar Bloodstock and Mr D Fletcher. The 2019 HTBA 3 year old filly award was sponsored by Pages Events was presented by Geoff Yallop, Business Manager for Pages Events, and accepted by Antony Thompson, 7th generation owner of Widden Stud.
The 2019 HTBA 3 year old colt award was received by The Autumn Sun, multiple Group 1 winner, and son of the late Redoute's Choice Arrowfield's Champion Stallion, out of Azmiyna. The Autumn Sun was bred by Arrowfield Group Pty Ltd. This award, sponsored by Morgan and English, Commercial Lawyers, was presented by Annette English, Managing Partner of Morgan and English and accepted by Arrowfield's General Manager, Paul Messara.
For the fourth year in a row, the 2019 Champion Racehorse was awarded to the Hunter's icon, Longine's world's best racehorse, Australia's Queen of the racetrack and the horse that stopped a Nation, Winx.
Daughter of Godophin's Street Cry out of Vegas Showgirl, bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds and raised by Coolmore, Winx is a national and international symbol of superb breeding, racing and training. She has surpassed the legendary Phar Lap's racing record and, to date and Black Caviar's record of 25 unbeaten wins. The 2019 Champion Racehorse award, sponsored by Scone Race Club, was presented by Alastair Pulford, Chairman of Scone Race Club and accepted by Brian Clarke of Segenhoe Stud on behalf of Fairway Thoroughbreds.
Also for the fourth consecutive year, Vegas Showgirl, dam of Winx, was awarded the 2019 HTBA Champion Broodmare award. The 2019 Champion Broodmare award was presented by Dr David O'Meara on behalf of the award's sponsor, Scone Equine Hospital and accepted by John McConnell of Segenhoe Stud on behalf of Vegas Showgirl's owners, Fairway Thoroughbreds.
Rubick was awarded 2019 HTBA Champion First Season Sire . Son of Coolmore's Encosta De Lago and multiple champion sire award winner, out of Sliding Cube. Rubick's first crop of 2 year olds include winners such as Yes Yes Yes and Rubic Rose. The 2019 HTBA Champion First Season Sire award, sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research, was presented Mr Trent Hayman and accepted by Coolmore Stud's, Paddy Oman.
The 2019 HTBA Champion Sire was awarded to Arrowfield's Snitzel . Champion Sire Premiership winner in 2017 & 2018 with all-time record Australian earnings of $16.2 million, joining Danehill & Redoute's Choice to complete Australia's only three-generation sequence of Champion Sires.
The 2YO & 3YO Sires' categories belonged to him too, and he headed all three lists by Winners, Stakeswinners & Stakes Wins. Snitzel's 2016/17 tally of 26 Australian stakeswinners equaled Danehill's record and his tally of 35 juvenile winners is a new mark. Chris Russell, William Inglis and Son's Bloodstock Manager presented the award on behalf of the sponsor, which was accepted by Arrowfield's General Manager, Paul Messara.
The HTBA congratulates all 2019 award winners and extends our gratitude to all sponsors for their support of these awards and the HTBA's activities to promote and protect the Hunter's world leading thoroughbred breeding industry and the champion athletes we produce. The HTBA also thanks our awards media partner, Sky Racing, who will be telecasting highlights of the Awards night on their Bred to Win program.
