Cover image courtesy of NSWROA
Written by Renee Geelen
The New South Wales Racehorse Owners’ Association has announced the 2023/24 finalists for its flagship event, Racing’s Night of Champions, to be held at a black-tie dinner at Randwick on Thursday August 29.
“We look forward to hosting this event every year because it’s important to celebrate excellence and appreciate our achievements as an industry. It’s a great chance for industry participants to get together, make connections, and acknowledge the results of hard work,” NSWROA President Tony Mitevski said. “New South Wales is home to some of the best horses in the world and four of our finalists have featured in the Longines World’s Best Racehorse rankings in the past 12 months.
“I’d like to express my sincere gratitude to our sponsors. We couldn’t produce this event without the support of TAB, Racing NSW, Sky Racing, The Australian Turf Club, Wild Oaks, Woppitt Bloodstock, Baumgartners, Inglis, and Warren Saunders Insurance Brokers.”
“We look forward to hosting this event every year because it’s important to celebrate excellence and appreciate our achievements as an industry.” - Tony Mitevski
The shortlist of finalists was decided by a point score system with horses earning points for top-three finishes in Group and Listed races and special, high prizemoney events including The Everest, The Golden Eagle, and The All-Star Mile.
The finalists will be judged by a panel of industry experts including representatives from Racing NSW, The Australian Turf Club, racing media, and the NSWROA board. Their votes in conjunction with the point score will determine the winners.
NSW Champion 2-year-old finalists
Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB}) won four of his seven starts at two, including two at Group 1 level. The G1 Champagne S. was his biggest win in NSW.
Coleman (Pierata) won two of his six starts, with both wins in Victoria. In NSW, he placed in both the G1 Golden Slipper and G1 Sires’ Produce S.
Coleman | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon) won the G1 Golden Slipper and G3 Widden S. from five starts at two.
Manaal (Tassort) won three of her six starts, including the G1 Sires’ Produce S. and G2 Sweet Embrace S.
Storm Boy (Justify {USA}) won his first four starts including the G2 Skyline S. and placed in the G1 Golden Slipper.
NSW Champion 3-year-old finalists (sponsored by Inglis)
Celestial Legend (Dundeel {NZ}) won the G1 Randwick Guineas and G1 Doncaster Handicap.
Kimochi (Brave Smash {Jpn}) won the G2 Light Fingers S. and placed in the G1 Coolmore Classic and G1 Flight S. in NSW, as well as the G1 Thousand Guineas in Victoria.
Celestial Legend | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Militarize (NZ) (Dundeel {NZ}) won the G1 Golden Rose and placed in the G1 Randwick Guineas.
Riff Rocket (American Pharoah {USA}) won the G1 Rosehill Guineas and G1 Australian Derby in NSW, as well as the G1 Victorian Derby.
Zardozi (Kingman {GB}) won the G2 Phar Lap S. and placed in the G1 Australian Oaks and G1 Vinery Stud S. in NSW, as well as winning the G1 Victorian Oaks.
NSW Champion Sprinter finalists (sponsored by ATC)
Fangirl (Sebring), Lady Laguna (Overshare), Private Eye (Al Maher), Think About It (So You Think {NZ}), and Zapateo (Brazen Beau).
NSW Champion Miler finalists (sponsored by Wild Oaks)
Celestial Legend (Dundeel {NZ}), Fangirl (Sebring), Obamburumai (Jpn) (Discreet Cat {USA}), Pericles (Street Boss {USA}), and Zougotcha (Zoustar).
NSW Champion Middle Distance finalists (sponsored by Woppitt Bloodstock)
Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel), Bois D’Argent (GB) (Toronado {Ire}), Fawkner Park (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai), and Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock).
NSW Champion Stayer finalists (sponsored by Warren Saunders Insurance Brokers)
Athabascan (Fr) (Almanzor {Fr}), Circle Of Fire (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}), Just Fine (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), Kalapour (Ire) (War Command {USA}), and Military Mission (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}).
Champion Country Horse and Champion Provincial Horse are judged by Racing NSW and Queen of the Autumn is decided by The Australian Turf Club.
Queen Of The Autumn finalists (sponsored by Baumgartners)
Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel), Semana (Winning Rupert), Tutta La Vita (The Autumn Sun), Zardozi (Kingman {GB}), and Zougotcha (Zoustar)
Provincial Champion Horse finalists (sponsored by Sky Thoroughbred Central)
Kalapour (Ire) (War Command {USA}), Loch Eagle (Lonhro), Phearson (Exosphere), and Think It Over (So You Think {NZ}).
NSW Country Champion Horse finalists (sponsored by Sky Thoroughbred Central)
At Witz End (Epaulette), Bandi’s Boy (The Brother’s War {USA}), Cepheus (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), and Front Page (Magnus).
NSW Champion Horse Of The Year finalists (sponsored by TAB)
Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) ran second in the G1 Queen Of The Turf S, while most of her best performances in 2023/24 were in Victoria with a win in the G1 LKS Mackinnon S.
Fangirl (Sebring) won the G1 Winx S., G1 King Charles III S., and the G2 Apollo S. and was second in the G1 Chipping Norton S.
Pericles (Street Boss {USA}) won the G2 Tramway S. and placed in the G1 Doncaster Handicap and Golden Eagle.
Atishu | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Think About It (So You Think {NZ}) won The Everest and G2 Premiere S. and placed in the G1 Canterbury S.
Zougotcha (Zoustar) was unbeaten in the autumn winning the G2 Millie Fox S., G1 Coolmore Classic, and G1 Queen Of The Turf S.
Racing NSW’s awards for excellence among the riding, training, and stable staff ranks will also be presented on the night. Rounding out the night will be the awards for The BOBS Horse of the Year, Sydney Strapper of the Year, Caryl Williamson Racing Writers’ Personality of the Year, T J Smith Award, George Moore Medal, Theo Green Medal, and the Bart Cummings medal.
