Stars to the fore at racing's night of nights

Cover image courtesy of Racing WA

Hosted in the River View Room of Optus Stadium, the evening provided a chance for the racing community to unite in celebrating the previous season and the stars that shone, as well as the immortalisation of six humans and horses into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.

The highlight for many in attendance was the first lady of racing, Gai Waterhouse AO, being elevated to legend status, joining an exclusive club reserved for only the most profound influencers on the industry.

Celebrating the year that was

At the conclusion of the 2022/23 racing season, an esteemed panel of over 70 industry members came together to vote for the top equine performers of the racing season.

Master trainer Chris Waller made his first appearance on stage for the evening (it wouldn’t be his last) with the first award of the night, G1 Golden Slipper winner Shinzo (Snitzel) winning the 2-Year-Old of the Year crown for the master trainer. Waller told the room that Shinzo, “Wasn’t at his best during the spring,” vowing he will be back stronger for an autumn campaign.

Gallery: Some of the Australian Racehorse of the Year award winners, images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Fellow world-class trainer James Cummings was next to be called up, with star filly In Secret (I Am Invincible) victorious in the 3-Year-Old Filly of the Year category. In a touching moment, Cummings used his speech to talk about the late Dean Holland, who rode In Secret to a famous victory in the G1 Newmarket H. at Flemington in March. Holland, who passed away in April, was honoured in an ‘in memoriam’ video package, alongside industry figures such as Deane Lester and Gwenda Markwell.

The distinction of being the top 3-Year-Old Colt or Gelding was taken out by star sprinter Giga Kick (Scissor Kick), who took the racing public along with him on a meteoric rise that included victory in The Everest, as well as the G1 Doomben 10,000 S. and the G1 All Aged S. All three major victories came in open-age company (his best result within his age group was the G2 Danehill S.), likely instrumental in the gelding claiming the Australian Champion Sprinter title later in the night as well.

Trainer Clayton Douglas told the crowd that Giga Kick is the first horse he has trained for powerful owner Jonothan Munz, and thanked him for long-term support dating back to the early days of his career in the industry.

The award for Australian Champion Stayer was collected by 2022 G1 Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}), considered by many a worthy winner based on the strength of his dominant performance in challenging conditions some 12 months ago. Ciaron Maher and David Eustace also claimed the Australian Champion Jumper award with Stern Idol (Ire) (Raven’s Pass {USA}).

Yarraman Park supremo Harry Mitchell made the journey west to collect the Australian Champion Sire award for their resident star stallion, I Am Invincible. Mitchell told the audience the story of how ‘Vinnie’ as he is affectionately known, came to the operation, recounting that, “nobody wanted him,” when seeking a home for his stud career.

Star jockey James McDonald was victorious in the Australian Champion Group 1 Jockey category, while Chris Waller returned to the stage to collect the Bart Cummings Award for Champion Group 1 Trainer of the 2022/23 season.

Chief amongst all the winners however, one stood tall, with Anamoe almost drawing tears out of James Cummings, who was summoned to the stage to collect both the Australian Champion Middle Distance and Australian Racehorse of the Year awards.

The son of Street Boss (USA), who took racing by storm in his 4-year-old campaign, collecting six victories at Group 1 level and securing a plethora of interest for a stallion career. On his champion, Cummings told the crowd, “He's a horse that all around the world the Godolphin family has been cheering for.

“I think the jewel in the crown for the horse was his Cox Plate win, it's pretty hard to go past that, it was an incredible moment for us.

“I've missed him every day since he got on that float to go to Kelvinside, but you've got to move on and we've got to keep mining for more talent.

“We've been really lucky to have the horses we've had through our barns and on our hands.”

Cummings also recounted the gravitas Anamoe possessed walking around the Osborne Park stables, recounting that, “He knew he was the best horse there.”

Anamoe has now retired to Darley Australia, where he commands a first-crop fee of $121,000 (inc GST).

Racing history honoured

At the halfway point of the evening, the focus shifted to afford some beloved industry contributors their due attention and place amongst the elite of the sport.

Before the Hall of Fame inductions commenced, the Spirit of Racing award was bestowed to Rodney ‘Rocket’ Kemp, a former champion jockey who became an integral part of the Western Australian racing community after his riding career was cut short.

Joined on stage by race caller Darren McAullay, the latter recounted the tale of how Kemp rode the legendary Doriemus (NZ) (Norman Pentaquad {USA}) to lead out the field in the Listed Kalgoorlie Cup in 1999. The crowd was “15 deep at the mounting yard fence,” to catch a glimpse of the hometown hero Kemp in the saddle for one last time, McAullay told those in attendance.

The first of the horses inducted into the Hall of Fame was the champion 2-year-old Baguette, a dominant 2-year-old who took racing by storm in the 1969/70 season. Winning the Triple Crown for juveniles, he trained on to be a star performer over both sprinting and middle distance trips.

Next to be honoured was the sparkling grey Emancipation (Bletchingly), who dominated for a period of two seasons in the early 1980s. Boasting the legendary Gunsynd as her damsire, she enjoyed success as a producer post-racing, with G2 Frank Packer Plate winner Royal Pardon (NZ).

Some 15 years after the curtain came down on her incredible career, Miss Andretti (Ihtiram {Ire}) made her way into the Hall of Fame, with owner Sean Buckley on hand to accept the induction. Buckley recounted the “premonition” of his ex-partner, that he would race a horse at Royal Ascot in front of The Queen, spurred him on to take a 75 per cent share in the mare, who was coming off two unplaced runs in Victoria at the time.

Moving into the people of racing saw another Western Australian icon immortalised, with legendary jockey Frank Treen recognised for his talents in the saddle. Treen, who passed away in 1993, is survived by son Frank Treen Jnr, who accepted the accolade on Thursday night. He described his father as a “great bloke,” recalling his legacy as both a father as well as a member of the racing industry.

Legendary trainer Clarry Conners received induction into the Hall of Fame, the master of 2-year-olds using his speech to spotlight his wife Maree, who has been by his side for the duration of his career. Conners, who still has a small team in training, described Mouawad (NZ) as the best horse he ever trained, lamenting what could have been if things went differently.

Gallery: Some of the inductees into Racing Australia Hall of Fame, images courtesy of Racing WA

Leviathan owner-breeder Bob Peters, who has repeatedly made this time of year his own with success over the Perth carnival, was the next to be inducted, his tireless work as both an administrator and breeder recognised with his induction.

Instrumental in Western Australia merging TAB pools with the east coast in the early 1990s, Peters recognised Old Spice as the best horse from his operation, saying, “Without him, I’m not sure I’d be where I am today.” He also paid tribute to his wife Sandra, an instrumental part of his life and a partner always by Peters' side across his racing and business ventures.

The night ended with the elevation to legend status for one of the most easily recognisable figures in racing, the beloved Gai Waterhouse. Originally inducted in 2007, Waterhouse received a standing ovation at the conclusion of her video package, one that lasted while renowned broadcaster Bruce McAvaney presented her with the trophy.

An emotional Waterhouse recalled her early days as an actress in the United Kingdom (including a role in Doctor Who), quipping, “But I’ve never really left the stage.”

Joining her father, Tommy Smith MBE, as a legend, Waterhouse also took time to thank her family; husband Robbie as well as children Tom and Kate, who would later join her on the podium.

Waterhouse remains in Perth for G1 Railway S. Day on Saturday. In a widely circulated video on social media, she was seen enjoying the warm sunshine and glistening ocean with her talented stayer Zoumon (Zoustar).