The Annual Horse of the Year Awards were held at Globe Derby Park yesterday with 3 year old Breeders Crown winner and Southern Cross Winner MAJOR CROCKER taking out the top honour, Horse of the Year. When accepting the award, owner Gary Crocker emotionally dedicated the award to his father and commended the job of trainer Vince Vallelonga. Gary stated that, as a proud South Australian, he was looking forward to an exciting future with his three year gelding.
The Nevada Smoke Award for Special Achievement was presented to long term harness racing stalwart, Doug Webber. Doug has been a tremendous supporter of the harness racing industry, and his expertise and advice in race track maintenance at Globe Derby Park has been outstanding.
Top honours for Broodmare of the Year went to Surfing Queen. Although not entirely successful in her own career, her progeny’s winners including Forty Seven Flash, Surface to Air, Flaming Hero and Three Queens. Bred by the Medhurst stable in the South East from successful dam Roses in Paris, Surfing Queen continues to produce fine foals which will be exciting to follow over the coming years.
The Horse of the Year Awards provides an opportunity for all associations to come together. Awards were presented by the South Australian Reinswomen Association (SARA), Square Trotters Association (STA), the SA Pony Trots, BOTRA and the South Australian Harness Racing Club (SAHRC).
Congratulations to all the winners.
SARA
Metropolitan and State Trainer: Dani Hill
Metropolitan and State Driver: Dani Hill
Encouragement award: Kim Ponton
SQUARE TROTTERS
2 year old Trotter of the Season: Itsy Bitsy Spider
3 Year Old Trotter of the Season: Zarah Gee
Leading Junior Driver for the Season: Michael Smith
Leading Driver for the Season: David Harding
Leading Trainer for the Season: Ryan McMillan
Metropolitan Trotter of the Season: Chuck Wagon
Country Trotter of the Season: Used Tickets
BOTRA AWARDS
Breeder: Gary Crocker
Owner: G Cole & G McDonald
Trainer: Ryan Hryhorec
Young Achievers Award: Aaron Bain
Industry Award: Walter Bulyga, Arclight Photography
SA PONY TROTTS
Golden Hands Awards Winner: Jason Kittel
Most Consistent Pony Winner: Jitterbug
SAHRC
Horse with the most amount of wins at Globe Derby: Albert Jaccka
HRSA
SA Leading Young Driver: Byron Hornhardt
SA Leading Metropolitan Driver: David Harding
SA Leading State Driver: Ryan Hryhorec
SA Leading Metropolitan Trainer: Darren Billinger
SA Leading State Trainer: Ryan Hryhorec
SA Leading State Horse: Dougs Courage
SA Juvenile Trotter: Plumbers Pettycash
SA 4YO & Older Trotter: Neville Vaughan NZ
SA 2YO Pacer: Whats Emma Got
SA 3YO Pacer: Major Crocker
SA 4YO & Older Pacer: Come on Frank
SA Broodmare of the Year: Surfing Queen
SA Horse of the Year: Major Crocker
