Champion mare Winx (Street Cry {IRE}) was crowned the Australian Horse of the Year for a third consecutive time on a night of glitz and glamour in Melbourne.
Magic Millions celebrated the win of their star graduate, as she joined Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) and Sunline (NZ) (Desert Sun {GB}) on Thursday evening as the only three-time winners. She will be out to add another repeat to her remarkable record when she defends her crown in Saturday’s G1 Turnbull S., at Flemington.
Golden Slipper-winner Estijaab (Snitzel), a $1.7m Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale purchase, was named Champion 2-year-old following a devastating juvenile season, which netted three victories and a second from four starts.
Champion colt
Fellow Inglis Easter graduate Trapeze Artist (Snitzel) won the Champion 3-year-old colt crown thanks to Group 1 wins in the stallion-making Golden Rose and two against the older horses in the TJ Smith S., and the All Aged S.
Trapeze Artist winning the G1 Golden Rose
Inglis General Manager of Bloodstock Jonathan D’Arcy was thrilled for the connections of the winners to be recognised, with Inglis graduates well represented amongst the award winners.
“Our clients who breed and buy these horses deserve all the credit for these successful results,’’ he said.
“These horses are great examples of what all racing enthusiasts strive for in our sport.” – Jonathan D’Arcy.
“These horses are great examples of what all racing enthusiasts strive for in our sport. To all the breeders, vendors, buyers, trainers and owners involved, congratulations from everybody at Inglis.’’
It was a wonderful evening for Arrowfield Stud, who celebrated honours bestowed on their star graduate Estijaab and her sire Snitzel, who had Redzel (Champion Sprinter) and Trapeze Artist complete a hat trick of awards.
Estijaab
The dominant force
Following the honours bestowed on Estijaab, Redzel and Trapeze Artist it was odds on that Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) would claim the Champion Sire title.
The Arrowfield Stud resident’s progeny earned more than $29.1 million during the 2017-18 racing season. A margin so dominant, he would still win the premiership by almost $1million even if the earnings of his three stars - Redzel, Estijaab and Trapeze Artist, were removed.
The successful night was rounded out by Arrowfield and GSA Bloodstock’s Triple Group 1 winner Shoals (Fastnet Rock) named Champion 3-year-old filly. Her dam The Broken Shore (Hussonet {USA}) made $1.9 million at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale, carrying Shoals.
G1 Melbourne Cup hero Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {IRE}) was the Champion Stayer and Gold Medals(NZ) (Elvstroem) claimed the Champion Jumper award.
Snitzel
