Black Caviar’s trailblazing deeds have had a profound impact on the 2010-11 Stable Financial Victorian Owners and Breeders Awards which were presented at the MCG this evening.
The Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association (TROA), Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV) and Super VOBIS joined forces to acknowledge the industry’s outstanding achievements throughout the past 12 months and the unbeaten mare featured prominently.
The rising five-year-old’s proud syndicate of owners (G J & Mrs K J Wilkie, Werrett Bloodstock P/L Synd (Mgr: N Werrett), C & Mrs J Madden, P Hawkes & D M & Mrs J Taylor) collected the TROA title of Leading Metropolitan Owner(s), whilst her breeder, Ric Jamieson’s Gilgai Farm at Nagambie, was bestowed the honour of Gallagher Bassett Leading Victorian Breeder.
Her dam Helsinge was named the Stu-Art Graphics Champion Victorian Broodmare, whilst her sire Bel Esprit was named Sirecam Champion Victorian Stallion for the fourth consecutive year.
Whilst Black Caviar was Bel Esprit’s headline performer, the Eliza Park stallion produced over 100 winners for earnings in excess of $7 million throughout the season to join Century and Better Boy as four-time winners of the coveted award.
Renowned syndicator Shelley Hancox was the recipient of TROA’s prized Contribution to Ownership Award for her deeds in introducing over 6500 people into racehorse ownership during a career that has spanned 25 years and 567 syndicated horses.
TROA’s Bill Collins Memorial Media Award went the way of Radio Sport National presenter Shane Anderson. Shane provides a comprehensive coverage on all racing news and issues on his Racing Central program on weekdays, and on The Thoroughbred on Sunday mornings.
The Leading Country Owners were Lloyd and Sue Williams, who are great supporters of country racing in Victoria. Nick and Saskia Williams accepted the award on behalf of the team.
It was a big night for the Kerrie-based Eliza Park Stud who also collected the Stable Financial Champion Victorian Freshman Sire award with their newest star Written Tycoon.
The emerging talent, whose best performer was Inglis Premier winner Masthead, is also the first Victorian- based stallion since Flying Spur in 1999-2000 to claim the Australian first season sires’ title.
The other TBV awards presented on the night were the Champion Victorian Broodmare Sire which went the way of Rory’s Jester (Swettenham Stud), and the Leading Small Breeder award which was shared by John Pittard (breeder of Yosei) and Tarcoola Stud (breeder of Sacred Choice).
Regular border-hopper Stirling Grove was crowned the Super VOBIS Horse of the Year after claiming $63,000 in Super VOBIS bonuses during the season for South Australian trainer Richard Jolly.
Astute Cranbourne trainer Robbie Griffiths was named the Super VOBIS Leading Trainer, whilst David Moodie’s Contract Racing Pty Ltd was both the Leading Super VOBIS Owner and Nominator.
