Racing South Australia, in partnership with Racing Australia, has unveiled the nominees for the highly anticipated 2023/2024 Australian Racehorse of the Year awards.
This year’s finalists for the top honour, “Australian Racehorse of the Year,” include Without a Fight, Pride of Jenni, Imperatriz, Riff Rocket, and Mr Brightside.
The prestigious awards ceremony will take place at Morphettville Racecourse, promising a grand evening to celebrate outstanding performances on Australian racecourses and abroad from August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024.
Vaughn Lynch, CEO of Racing SA, expressed excitement about hosting the event in Adelaide, highlighting the exceptional achievements across all categories during the 2023/24 season. Finalists were selected based on votes from over 70 prominent racing media, handicappers, and form analysts nationwide.
Among the contenders are standout juveniles like Lady of Camelot and Broadsiding, winners of prestigious races such as the Golden Slipper (1200m) and J.J. Atkins (1600m) respectively.
Notable three-year-olds include Riff Rocket, Celestial Legend, Warmonger, and Veight, each having claimed significant victories throughout the season.
The Champion Sprinter category features a star-studded lineup including Everest (1200m) winner Think About It, Imperatriz, and Bella Nipotina, all recognised for their impressive performances in top-tier races.
In the fiercely contested Champion Middle Distance category, finalists like Romantic Warrior, Pride of Jenni, Mr Brightside, and Fangirl have distinguished themselves with notable wins in Group 1 races.
The battle for Champion Stayer will see Without A Fight, Riff Rocket, Circle of Fire, Fawkner Park, and The Map competing for top honours, showcasing their prowess in longer-distance events.
Additionally, the awards recognise achievements beyond individual horses, with Chris Waller securing his 12th consecutive title as Champion Group 1 Trainer, and James McDonald dominating as Champion Group 1 Jockey for the fourth consecutive year.
Yarraman Park’s I am Invincible continues to impress as Champion Sire, setting a new Australian prizemoney record.
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