News

2014/15 Australian Racehorse of the Year finalists announced

14th Sep 2015

The finalists for the seven award categories at the 2015 BMW Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards have been revealed today, setting the stage for yet another intriguing battle for the title of the nation’s top galloper.

Racing’s night of nights, to be held on Thursday, 8 October at the MCG, will commence with the official launch of the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival before the individual category winners and the overall BMW Australian Racehorse of the Year is announced.

Voted on by a national group of racing media and handicappers, the awards take into account performances by all horses on Australian tracks as well as international performances by Australian-trained horses during the 2014/2015 racing season from 1 August 2014 to 31 July 2015.

The five finalists in each category are the horses which have obtained the most votes, with each of these finalists eligible for the BMW Australian Racehorse of the Year Award.

Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse boasts two finalists in the Champion Two-Year-Old of the Year Award, with Golden Slipper-winning colt Vancouver and the talented English acknowledged for their stand-out seasons on the track.

Peter and Paul Snowden’s Pride of Dubai, impressive Champagne Stakes-winner Pasadena Girl and Press Statement round out the two-year-old nominations.

A quality quintet of fillies have been nominated for the New Zealand Bloodstock Champion Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year Award including star West Australian Delicacy, John Thompson’s First Seal, and Oaks winners Gust of Wind, Set Square and Winx.

The Champion Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding of the Year Award boasts an impressive line-up of finalists – three of which are currently enjoying their first season in the breeding barn. Recently retired stallions Brazen Beau, Hallowed Crown and Wandjina were recognised for their impressive three-year-old seasons, as were Doncaster Mile winner Kermadec and dual-nation Derby winner Mongolian Khan.

Reigning Australian Racehorse of the Year Lankan Rupee is one of five sprinters nominated for the Inglis Bloodstock Champion Sprinter of the Year Award title alongside Group 1-winning speedsters Brazen Beau, Chautauqua, Terravista and recently crowned Victorian Racehorse of the Year, Dissident.

In the Champion Middle Distance Racehorse of the Year Award category, 2014 Cox Plate winner Adelaide will battle it out with fellow internationally-bred galloper Contributer and star Australians Criterion, Dissident and Fawkner.

The 2014 Emirates Melbourne Cup quinella of Protectionist and Red Cadeaux have both been nominated for the Champion Stayer of the Year Award alongside fellow international and 2014 Caulfield Cup victor Admire Rakti. John O’Shea’s Hartnell and dual Group 1 winner Delicacy are the Australian representatives.

And in the Champion Jumper of the Year Award, evergreen steeplechaser Bashboy is one of five finalists alongside Thubiaan, Vatuvei, Lord Of The Song and Regina Coeli.

The category finalists, in alphabetical order, are as follows;

Champion Two-Year-Old of the Year Award
English
Pasadena Girl
Press Statement
Pride of Dubai
Vancouver

New Zealand Bloodstock Champion Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year Award
Delicacy
First Seal
Gust of Wind
Set Square
Winx

Champion Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding of the Year Award
Brazen Beau
Hallowed Crown
Kermadec
Mongolian Khan
Wandjina

Inglis Bloodstock Champion Sprinter of the Year Award
Brazen Beau
Chautauqua
Dissident
Lankan Rupee
Terravista

Champion Middle Distance of the Year Award
Adelaide
Contributer
Criterion
Dissident
Fawkner

Champion Stayer of the Year Award
Admire Rakti
Delicacy
Hartnell
Protectionist
Red Cadeaux

Champion Jumper of the Year Award
Bashboy
Lord Of The Song
Regina Coeli
Thubiaan
Vatuvei

The finalists for the overall BMW Australian Racehorse of the Year will be announced at the Awards night.

Notes: Voting for the awards is based on performances anywhere in Australia during the racing season (1 August 2014 – 31 July 2015).
The Champion Sprinter Award is based only on performances of horses in races of up to and including 1400 metres. The Champion Middle Distance Award is based only on performances of horses in races between 1401 metres and 2199 metres. The Champion Stayer Award is based only on performances of horses in races of 2200 metres and longer. The Champion Jumper Award takes into account performances between 1 March 2015 and 31 August 2015 only.