More than 350 industry leaders, clients and supporters, attended the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association 2021 Annual Awards in Scone to recognise the Hunter’s elite equine athletes.
“The Hunter Valley is Australia’s premier thoroughbred breeding region and Horse Capital. It is Australia’s jewel in the thoroughbred breeding crown. The breadth and depth of talent of our people and the success of our equine athletes is world renowned. We are immensely proud to recognise their achievements at tonight’s Annual Awards” Dr Cameron Collins, HTBA President said.
“This year’s equine athlete categories were once again strongly contested. Dr Collins said”.
This year’s 2021 HTBA Champion 2 year old Racehorse award winner is Anamoe, daughter of Darley Sire Street Boss out of Redoute’s Choice mare Anamato. Anamoe’s season wins include 2020 Merson Cooper Listed, Group 1 Todman Stakes and Group 1 ATC Sires. Anamoe was bred by Godophin Australia at its historic Woodlands Stud. The 2021 HTBA 2 year old racehorse award, sponsored by International Animal Health, was presented by CEO, Mr Chris Lawlor and accepted by Godolphin Kelvinside Nominations Manger, Mr Adam Brayshaw.
Chris Lawlor (L) and Adam Brayshaw
The 2021 HTBA Champion 3 year old Racehorse was awarded to September Run. Daughter of Darley Sire Exceed And Excel 2013 Champion Sire Award winner from the Street Cry mare Pittsburgh Flyer. Winner of Group 1 Coolmore Stakes and Listed races Cap D'Antibes and Poseidon Stakes. September Run was bred at Coolmore Australia for breeders Alpara Lodge. The 2021 HTBA 3 year old racehorse award was sponsored by Zoetis was presented by Mr Neil Smith, Strategic Accounts Director for Zoetis, and accepted by Mr Tom Moore from Coolmore Australia.
Neil Smith (L) and Tom Moore
For the second year in a row, the 2021 HTBA Champion Racehorse was awarded to Nature Strip. Son of the Widden Sire Nicconi, out of multiple stakes winner producer Strikeline. Nature Strip won two Group 1 races in the season, the Black Caviar Lightning and TJ Smith Stakes. Bred by Golden Grove Stud at Denman. The 2021 Champion Racehorse award, sponsored by Scone Race Club, was presented by Mr Alastair Pulford, Chairman of Scone Race Club and accepted by Mr Grant MacKay of Golden Grove Stud.
Grant MacKay (L) and Alistair Pulford
The 2021 HTBA Champion Broodmare Award was presented to multiple stakes winning producer Dazzler (More Than Ready) of Godolphin Australia, her season progeny winners Bivouac and Coruscate having an outstanding record of their own. The 2021 Champion Broodmare award was presented by Scone Equine Hospital Director, Dr David O’Meara and accepted by Mr Simon Johnson, Assistant Stud Manager of Godolphin Woodlands.
Simon Johnson (L) and David O'Meara
Capitalist was awarded 2021 HTBA Champion First Season Sire. A son of Written Tycoon a multiple champion sire award winner, out of the mare Kitalpha who passed away in 2015. Capitalist’s first crop of 2 year olds include winners such as Captivant, Kalashnikov and Tycoon Humma. Capitalist has 4 Stakes winners in his first season, giving him a black type premiership points rating of 61 to take home this year’s title. The 2021 HTBA Champion First Season Sire award, sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research | Barastoc Ridley Partnership, was presented by Director of Nutrition Technology, Mr David Nash of KER and accepted by Newgate Stud’s Managing Director Mr Henry Field.
Henry Field (L) and David Nash
The 2021 HTBA Champion Sire was awarded to Yarraman Park’s I Am Invincible. Winner of First Season Sire in 2014. A brilliant sprinter and champion racehorse, I Am Invincible’s black type progeny for the season raked up 266 points on the black type premiership leaderboard. Mr Sebastian Hutch, Inglis General Manager of Bloodstock Sales and Marketing presented the award on behalf of the sponsor, which was accepted by Yarraman Park Director, Mr Arthur Mitchell.
Arthur Mitchell (L) and Sebastian Hutch
The HTBA congratulates all 2021 award winners and extends our gratitude to all sponsors for their support of these awards and the HTBA’s activities to promote and protect the Hunter’s world leading thoroughbred breeding industry and the champion athletes we produce. The HTBA also thanks our awards media partner Galloping Group, Sky Racing and Bred To Win who will be telecasting highlights of the Awards night on their program.
