Queensland Champions and Premiers

Media Release - Tuesday August 6

Two Darling Downs studs have dominated this year's Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association (TBQA) Queensland Champion Stallions Awards.

Advertisement

Spirit of BoomEureka Stud at Cambooya, near Toowoomba is home to the 2019 Queensland Champion Stallion - Spirit of Boom. Spirit of Boom was last year's Champion 2yo Sire and Champion First Season Sire and his progeny are continuing to be successful as they mature.

This season (2018/19), Spirit of Boom produced 129 runners for 62 winners including five Stakes winners with total earnings $5,756,050. His top runner was Boomsara who banked $1,349,100

It was a double whammy for Lyndhurst Stud at Warwick. Their promising young stallion, Better than Ready, has really hit the ground running taking out both the 2019 Queensland Champion 2YO Sire and Champion First Season Sire.

Better than Ready had 47 runners this 2018/19 racing season for 23 winners including three Stakes winners, with prizemoney totalling $2,032,420. His top runner was the Kelly Schweida trained, 2YO Jewel Champion, The Odyssey who collected $557,550 for connections this season.

Better Than ReadyTBQA President, Basil Nolan congratulated both Studs for taking out these highly sought-after awards.

"There are hundreds of stallions, so it's not an easy task to produce consistent winners and both Spirit of Boom and Better than Ready have had a significant impact on the National racing industry and their progeny are highly sought after by Australia's top trainers," said Mr Nolan.

"The fact that both these stallions are so young is great for the future of the Queensland breeding industry and we look forward to watching their progress."

You can see the full results, and follow the statistics each month on the TBQA website www.queenslandbreeders.com.au

For the first time in the history of the QTIS Premiership Awards, the same trainer has won both the two-year-old and three-year-old trainers' premierships.

Toowoomba's Tony Sears secured both victories after a tremendous season with his juveniles. Sears had eight two-year-old QTIS winners and picked up $125,650 in QTIS bonus prizemoney for the season to finish ahead of Michael Nolan who banked $118,150 with five QTIS two-year-old winners and Toby Edmonds who had three QTIS two-year-old winners for $111,050 in bonus prizemoney.

Edmonds trained the leading two-year-old runner (on earnings) for the 2018-19 season, with Champagne Jet, by Jet Spur, topping the table after earning $64,800 in QTIS bonus prizemoney. Champagne Jet soared to victory in the last month to just pip Gem of Scotland at the post, after the Rothesay youngster lead the standings for most of the season to finish on $62,250.

It had been an interesting battle in the three-year-old Premiership on Earnings, with Spirit's Choice and Hold the Line chopping and changing in the top positions for most of the season. The Spirit of Boom filly was leading heading into the final month, however Hold the Line got over the line in the end, after earning $36,750 in QTIS bonus prizemoney in July to finish the season with $122,550.

Sears' win in the three-year-old Trainer's Premiership wasn't quite as cut throat. He dominated the table for most of the season to finish with 11 three-year-old winners and $190,700 in QTIS bonus prizemoney, ahead of David Vandyke on $187,850 and Tony Gollan who banked $179,650 in QTIS bonus prizemoney this season.

This is the second season that Sears has won a QTIS Trainer's Premiership, after taking out the three-year-old award in 2015/16. Sears has won two complimentary entries into the 2020-21 Magic Millions Series for any two yearlings that he purchases at one of the 2020 Magic Millions Sales.

Thank you to Magic Millions for their ongoing support of the QTIS Premiership, which has become a highly sought-after title and prize. It's fantastic to see that everyone who supports the Queensland industry can reap the rewards and be recognized for their efforts.

2018/19 QTIS PREMIERS:

2YO Trainer – Tony Sears $125,650 and 8 winners

2YO Runner – Champagne Jet (by Jet Spur) $64,800 and 1 QTIS win

3YO Trainer – Tony Sears $190,700 and 11 winners

3YO Runner – Hold the Line (by Your Song) $122,550 and 4 wins

News from Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland
Advertisment
More Reading...
Melbourne Racing Club Unveils Major Spring Racing Enhancements
Racing Victoria has confirmed prize money allocations for the 2025-2026 season and Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) has announced some exciting race program changes and prizemoney increases that, together with other great initiatives at Flemington and Moonee Valley, reinforce the position of Victoria’s Spring Racing Carnival at the forefront of international racing.
Progressive Mare Bred on Magic Cross
The magic Fastnet Rock x Galileo cross that has produced champion mare Via Sistina (IRE) was in the frame overnight in Ireland where six year-old mare Goodie Two Shoes scored a career best win in the Group III Stanerra Stakes (1m6f) at Fairyhouse.
Bred to be Good - So You Think x More Joyous
It sounds like a match made in heaven, a colt by two time Cox Plate winning sire So You Think from eight time Group I winner More Joyous, and this 2YO is slated to make his debut in New Zealand this weekend,  
Sires With Winners - Friday July 11
Here is the full list of 45 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Bloodstockauction 2025 Stallion Cover Charity Auction
Bloodstockauction Stallion Cover Charity Auction is on again this year seeking to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities Sydney.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Spring racing is just around the corner and a busy set of trials at Randwick on Friday featured eight heats won by juveniles with winners including stakes horses The Playwright and Cobra Club as well as unraced youngsters by Justify (USA), I Am Invincible and Flying Artie.
Willydoit Data Surprise - Sprinter or Stayer?
Scientific tests have revealed surprising results on the distance aptitude of this season’s star New Zealand staying three-year-old Willydoit.
Two powerful additions announced for Equate 2025
The countdown to Equate '25 just got even more exciting. Australasia's number one innovation event for the thoroughbred industry has announced two brand-new sessions that bring together transparency, technology, and tangible takeaways for all attendees.
Wathnan Racing Swoop - Quai de Bethune Eclipses July Sale Record 775,000 Guineas
The Tattersalls July Sale concluded in spectacular fashion with QUAI DE BETHUNE selling for a record 775,000 guineas and the Busuttin Young stable also picked up lightly raced 3YO TIME ALLOWED for Australia.
Godolphin Draft Headlines Huge Inglis Digital July (Early)
A 26-strong Godolphin draft, a G1 placed 3YO with credentials for the $10m Golden Eagle and shares in multiple other G1 performers including dual G1 winner Overpass headline a huge catalogue for the Inglis Digital July (Early) Online Sale.