Fifth Scobie Breasley medal for Craig Williams

Darryl Sherer - Monday September 4

Craig Williams won his fifth Scobie Breasley medal and Winx named Victorian Horse of the Year at Sunday's award evening in Melbourne.

Advertisement
Craig Williams. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Williams polled 62 votes to defeat Damian Lane on 43 with Damien Oliver third on 41 for the 21st year of the jockeys' award.

Williams, who also won his sixth Roy Higgins medal for his win in the Melbourne metropolitan premiership, finished runner-up to Dwayne Dunn for the Scobie Breasley last year, voted on a 3-2-1 basis by stewards at Melbourne metropolitan meetings.

Williams said he considered himself blessed to have won the award again.

"We do a dangerous job which we love to do but we are all fortunate enough to have great teams behind us," Williams said.

"It's a great honour to win this award again - when Australian jockeys go overseas and ride so well it's because of the depth of opposition we ride against here day in day out.

"It was the success of Scobie Breasley in Europe that paved the way for so many Australian jockeys to ride overseas and we are all grateful for that."

Despite another successful season, Williams said he is driven to keep succeeding.

"The competition last season was great and I'm looking forward to the new season. It was great to get the first Group One on Vega Magic on Saturday but the merry go round keeps going.

"I was watching videos this morning looking for my next winner so things don't stop."

The 2017 award winners are:

Scobie Breasley Medal - Craig Williams

Roy Higgins Medal (Metropolitan Jockeys' Premiership) - Craig Williams (77 wins)

Victorian Jockeys' Premiership - Dean Yendall (138 wins)

Metropolitan Apprentices' Premiership - Beau Mertens (73 wins)

Victorian Apprentices' Premiership - Beau Mertens (104 wins)

Victorian Racehorse of the Year - Winx

Fred Hoysted Medal - David Hayes, Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig

Metropolitan Trainers' Premiership - Darren Weir (137 wins)

Victorian Trainers' Premiership - Darren Weir (416 wins)

Tommy Corrigan Medal - John Allen

Colin Alderson Rising Star - Archie Alexander

TROA Victorian Owner of the Year - David Hayes

TBV Champion Victorian Sire - Written Tycoon

TBV Leading Victorian Breeder - Gilgai Farm

Advertisment
More Reading...
Breeding To Win - 2026 G1 Blue Diamond Stakes
The late withdrawal on Friday morning of unbeaten Bivouac colt Big Sky from the $2million Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) has taken a key contender from the mix, but with a full field of 16 it's a race packed with intrigue.
Unbeaten Run Continues as Aristopolos Wins Gold Sovereign
Taking his record to five from five, outstanding St Mark’s Basilica (FR) colt Aristopolos gave nothing else a chance in Friday night’s Listed Gold Sovereign Stakes (1200m) at Launceston with John Blacker trained 2yo pulling clear to win by two lengths.
Records Tumble as Gingerbread Man Colt Tops Book Two
A colt by leading local sire Gingerbread Man topped Book Two when selling for $190,0000 as the 2026 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale rounded out with record breaking results.
Embellish Filly Wins Listed Tasmanian Oaks
Coming off a last start maiden victory over 1717m at Sale, the Phillip Stokes trained 3yo Embellish (NZ) filly Kazaru (NZ) proved the superior stayer at Launceston on Friday night, winning the Listed Tasmania Oaks (2100m) for OTI Racing.
Randwick around the track with Clinton Payne on Saturday
Saturday saw the return of Australian racing’s pin-up girl Winx and after giving racegoers a genuine heart flutter, she duly delivered with one of her best ever wins at Randwick.
MRC Foundation pledges more than $50,000 to support Victorian bushfire recovery
The MRC Foundation will contribute more than $50,000 in direct financial and practical support to bushfire-affected communities across northeast Victoria, as regional racing families begin the long road to recovery following the recent Longwood fires.
Anamoe breeding right among extraordinarily strong Inglis Feb (Late) catalogue
A breeding right in first season sire sensation Anamoe, multiple Stakes horses and young mares with highly desirable pregnancies are just some of the highlights of one of the strongest Inglis Digital catalogues ever assembled.
Super Seth Filly Adds to Te Akau NZB Kiwi Contenders
Te Akau Racing strengthened their representation in next month’s $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) following the announcement of their Group One winner La Dorada as ‘The People’s Horse’.
Waters awarded 2026 Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship
Niamh Waters has been announced as the 2026 recipient of the Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship and will depart on Saturday to begin her 30-week international experience.
Vale, Reliable Man
Westbury Stud today announced with great sadness the passing of high-class racehorse and outstanding sire Reliable Man, who was humanely euthanised on veterinary advice due to post-surgical complications following the removal of a melanoma.