Equine superstar Black Caviar was officially crowned Australia’s Racehorse of the Year on Sunday night.
The unbeaten mare lifted the profile of racing during a stellar 2010/11 season and also earned the title of Australia’s most popular racehorse after a public vote.
Her six Group One victories throughout the 12 months went a long way to her trainer Peter Moody collecting the trophy as the leading Group One trainer with nine a the top level.
In the autumn Black Caviar travelled from Melbourne to race in front of her adoring fans in Sydney and Brisbane and earlier this month she became the first non-human featured on the ABC’s Australian Story.
Not surprisingly her jockey Luke Nolen collected the award for the most Group One winning rides with eight.
With votes lodged on a 3-2-1 basis by senior racing administrators and members of the racing media, Black Caviar secured 301 of a maximum 318 votes in the Racehorse of the Year category with dual Cox Plate winner So You Think second with 208.
It was the second consecutive year a Moody-trained mare had been awarded the top honour with Typhoon Tracy the winner 12 months ago.
Black Caviar polled the maximum vote in the Sprinter section with Hay List second, the position he occupied behind the mare on three occasions during the season.
So You Think earned his own accolade as the champion middle distance horse for his four Group One victories in the spring when trained by Bart Cummings.
He is now making his mark in Europe in the care of Aidan O’Brien and is the favourite for next month’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley operation dominated two-year-old racing under trainer Peter Snowden with Golden Slipper winner Sepoy voted the best of his generation ahead of stablemates Helmet and Benfica.
Darley stallion Lonhro completed a remarkable double when he was named champion sire after taking out the 2004 Horse of the Year title.
French-trained Australian-owned Melbourne Cup winner Americain was awarded the Stayers’ title, AJC Australian Derby winner Shamrocker was the top three-year-old filly and Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Star Witness the leading three-year-old colt or gelding.
Winners:
Australian Racehorse of the Year: Black Caviar.
Champion 2YO: Sepoy.
Champion 3YO Filly: Shamrocker.
Champion 3YO Colt or Gelding: Star Witness.
Champion Sprinter: Black Caviar.
Champion Middle Distance Performer: So You Think.
Champion Stayer: Americain.
Most Popular Racehorse: Black Caviar.
Champion Jumper: Black And Bent.
Champion Australian-Bred International: Rocket Man.
Champion Sire: Lonhro.
AAP TURF
