Finalists Announced - 2024 NSW Racehorse Owners Night of Champions

Media Release - Wednesday August 7

The New South Wales Racehorse Owners’ Association is proud to announce the 2023/24 finalists for its flagship event, Racing’s Night of Champions.

39 horses have been recognised for outstanding performances during the racing season, with more than half notching at least one Group 1 triumph in the past 12 months.

Fangirl is in contention for NSWROA Champion Horse of the Year - image Steve Hart

The awards will be presented at a black-tie gala dinner in the ballroom at Royal Randwick on Thursday, 29th August 2024.

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. Champion Country Horse and Champion Provincial Horse are judged by Racing NSW and Queen of the Autumn is decided by The Australian Turf Club.

Racing NSW’s awards for excellence among the riding, training, and stable staff ranks will also be presented on the night. 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 coveted Bart Cummings Medal will all find new recipients.

“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.” Guests at the glamorous black-tie dinner will enjoy The Australian Turf Club’s award-winning hospitality including a three-course meal and De Bortoli Wines.

There will also be a DJ playing after the presentations. Racing’s Night of Champions will be recorded and televised on Sky Thoroughbred Central and broadcast internationally by their exclusive media partner, Sky Racing.

Tickets to the event are available for $345 per person ($3450 for a table of ten) and are selling quickly.

Members of the public are most welcome to attend. Click here to book.

For more information about the 2024 Racing’s Night of Champions, contact the NSWROA office on 0421 353 871 or by email owners@nswroa.com.au

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CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2024 FINALISTS NSW CHAMPION 2YO FINALISTS

BROADSIDING (AUS) 

COLEMAN (AUS) 

LADY OF CAMELOT (AUS)

MANAAL (AUS)

STORM BOY (AUS)

NSW CHAMPION 3YO FINALISTS Sponsored by Inglis

CELESTIAL LEGEND (AUS)

KIMOCHI (AUS)

MILITARIZE (NZ)

RIFF ROCKET (AUS)

ZARDOZI (AUS)

NSW CHAMPION SPRINTER FINALISTS Sponsored by the Australian Turf Club
FANGIRL (AUS) 2018
LADY LAGUNA (AUS) 2019
PRIVATE EYE (AUS) 2017
THINK ABOUT IT (AUS) 2018
ZAPATEO (AUS) 2018

NSW CHAMPION MILER FINALISTS Sponsored by Wild Oaks
CELESTIAL LEGEND (AUS) 2020
FANGIRL (AUS) 2018
OBAMBURUMAI (JPN) 2020
PERICLES (AUS) 2019
ZOUGOTCHA (AUS) 2019

NSW CHAMPION MIDDLE DISTANCE HORSE FINALISTS Sponsored by Woppitt Bloodstock
ATISHU (NZ) 2017
BOIS D'ARGENT (GB) 2017
FAWKNER PARK (IRE) 2019
PRIDE OF JENNI (AUS) 2017
VIA SISTINA (IRE) 2018


NSW CHAMPION STAYER FINALISTS Sponsored by Warren Saunders Insurance Brokers
ATHABASCAN (FR) 2019
CIRCLE OF FIRE (GB) 2020
JUST FINE (IRE) 2018
KALAPOUR (IRE) 2017
MILITARY MISSION (IRE) 2018

QUEEN OF THE AUTUMN FINALISTS Sponsored by Baumgartners
ORCHESTRAL (NZ) 2020
SEMANA (AUS) 2019
TUTTA LA VITA (AUS) 2020
ZARDOZI (AUS) 2020
ZOUGOTCHA (AUS) 2019

NSW PROVINCIAL CHAMPION HORSE FINALISTS Sponsored by Sky Thoroughbred Central
KALAPOUR (IRE) 2019
LOCH EAGLE (AUS) 2018
PHEARSON (AUS) 2017
THINK IT OVER (AUS) 2015

NSW COUNTRY CHAMPION HORSE FINALISTS Sponsored by Sky Thoroughbred Central
AT WITZ END (AUS) 2015
BANDI'S BOY (AUS) 2019
CEPHEUS (GB) 2017
FRONT PAGE (AUS) 2016

NSW CHAMPION HORSE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS Sponsored by TAB
ATISHU (NZ) 2017
FANGIRL (AUS) 2018
PERICLES (AUS) 2019
THINK ABOUT IT (AUS) 2018
ZOUGOTCHA (AUS) 2019

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