Cover image courtesy of the Hunter Valley Breeders Association
Group 1 winners Anamoe (Street Boss {USA}), September Run (Exceed And Excel) and Nature Strip (Nicconi) were honoured at the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association 2021 Annual Awards, as was star Godolphin broodmare Dazzler (More Than Ready {USA}) and top stallions Capitalist and I Am Invincible.
The event was attended by over 350 people in Scone, with a celebration of the elite equine stars complemented by awards for those who work within the industry.
The James Cummings-trained Anamoe, the winner of the G1 Inglis Sires' and bred on Woodlands Stud, was honoured as the 2021 HTBA Champion 2-year-old Racehorse in an award accepted by Godolphin Kelvinside Nominations Manager, Adam Brayshaw.
Anamoe | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Chris Waller's flying filly, September Run, who won the G1 Coolmore Stud S. and was bred on Coolmore's Jerrys Plains property, received the award as 2021 HTBA Champion 3-year-old Racehorse.
Brilliant sprinter Nature Strip, bred on the Denman property of Golden Grove Stud, won the 2021 HTBA Champion Racehorse for the second year running. The Chris Waller-trained star won both the G1 Lightning S. and the G1 TJ Smith S. this autumn.
Godolphin Australia's Dazzler, the dam of triple Group 1-winning sprinter Bivouac (Exceed And Excel), as well as stakes-winner Coruscate (Exceed And Excel), was celebrated as the 2021 HTBA Champion Broodmare, with the Award accepted by Simon Johnson, Assistant Stud Manager of Godolphin Woodlands.
Newgate Stud's Capitalist has enjoyed a brilliant start to his stallion career, with 12 winners and four stakes winners from his first crop already, including Group 1 winner Captivant.
It was no surprise to see him crowned as the 2021 HTBA Champion First Season Sire.
The sires' awards are determined by a 'black-type premiership leaderboard' and with 266 points, Yarraman Park's I Am Invincible was awarded the 2021 HTBA Champion Sire.
Amanda Pettman won the 2021 HTBA Employee of the Year (Administration) Award | Image courtesy of the Hunter Valley Breeders Association
Amanda Pettman, of Arrowfield Stud, won the 2021 HTBA Employee of the Year (Administration) Award, while the 2021 HTBA Employee of the Year (Horsemanship) Award winner went to Michael Harris of Widden Stud, while the 2021 HTBA Employee of the Year (Inaugural) Leadership Award winner was Liesl Baumann of Cressfield Stud.
Cressfield Stud General Manager Wayne Bedggood was awarded the 2021 HTBA President’s Award for Life Time Achievement for his work with Middlebrook Park Stud, Arrowfield Stud and with Cressfield.
The Murray Bain Service to Industry Award, which honours the outstanding achievements of those in the thoroughbred industry who champion exceptional service and hands-on best practice was presented to Dr John Freestone.
Dr John Freestone (middle) | Image courtesy of the Hunter Valley Breeders Association
“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.
The Hunter Valley’s Thoroughbred Breeding industry contributes over $5 billion annually to the national economy and $2.6 billion annually to the New South Wales economy. It supports over 230,000 jobs throughout Australia.
