On Saturday night, over 125 Victorian breeders, stud staff, sponsors and supporters converged upon Inglis’ Oaklands Junction complex for the 2018/19 Victorian Breeders Awards and Christmas Party.
A far cry from the usual hustle, bustle and noise of sale day, the auditorium was transformed into a twinkling Australian Christmas wonderland for the evening. RSN’s Michael Felgate handled MC duties from the sale ring, whilst The Baker Boys kept guests musically entertained throughout the night.
“Tonight is a celebration of our successes over the past year,” said TBV Executive Officer, Charmein Bukovec.
“We spend so much of our time at Inglis, so it was only fitting that we celebrated here and I want to thank the Inglis team for helping TBV create the night. It is a chance to have fun after a busy breeding season and celebrate the amazing community of which we are all a part of. This year has been a busy one for everyone and we have seen some exceptional results in the ring, on the track and across the country,” said Charmein.
Presented by Racing Victoria Chairman Brian Kruger, Rosemont Stud collected the first award of the night – VOBIS Nominator of the Year.
With Managing Director Anthony Mithen unable to attend due to family commitments, Rosemont was represented by Operations Manager Gerard Jones. The Gnarwarre-based stud ended the evening with four awards, also winning the VOBIS Owner and VOBIS Horse of the Year (Iconoclasm) and the coveted Breednet Champion Victorian Breeder Award.
On a special day in September 2018, Andrew McDonald’s broodmare Dom Perion, which he purchased for $6000 at the Inglis Great Southern Sale, produced two city winners in Extra Brut and Fill the Flute. Both horses went on to have great spring campaigns. For these results, Andrew was awarded the Basinghall Farm Leading Victorian Small Breeder.
Andrew also took home the Inglis Champion Victorian Bred 3-Year-Old and Inglis Champion Victorian Stayer awards for his Victoria Derby winning colt, Extra Brut.
The crowd was surprised with the announcement of two new awards for this season. The Inglis Lifetime Service to the Industry Award was presented to George Smith.
Whilst Blue Gum Farm’s Horse Operations Manager Chris Kent was awarded the inaugural Digital Media Creations Rising Star trophy.
Catching on halfway through Michael Felgate’s introduction that his name might be the one about to be called out, Chris was extremely humbled by the honour.
“To hear my name and be acknowledged on the same night at George Smith is very special,” said Chris.
“I’m just one of the back markers, but I love what I do.”
For a second year running, Millrich claimed the title of Avenel Equine Champion Victorian Broodmare. The Makybe Stud-bred Mr Stunning also was named Surewise Champion Victorian Bred International Horse for the second time for his continued Group success in Hong Kong.
Le Romain was named the Magic Millions Champion Victorian Bred Middle Distance Horse, whilst the Darley-bred Lyre claimed the Breednet Champion Victorian Bred 2-Year-Old title.
The Snowden Racing-trained Redzel collected the Tabcorp Champion Victorian Bred Sprinter as well as the Tabcorp Champion Victorian Racehorse titles, both for a consecutive time.
With his progeny selling for a total of $4,850,000 million at the Melbourne Yearling Premier Sales alone, Darley Northwood’s Brazen Beau claimed the title as IRT Champion Victorian First Season Sire.
Sun Stud’s Fiorente was named the Avenel Equine Champion Victorian Second Season Sire, whilst Woodside Park Stud’s Written Tycoon was crowned IRT Champion Victorian Sire for the fourth consecutive season.
As well as recognising these headline results for the season, TBV’s President James O’Brien also took the opportunity to thank sponsors and remind guests of the numerous projects and initiatives implemented by TBV over the past 12 months. These include TBV’s updated business strategy as well as the increased marketing strategy to showcase more of the Victorian breeding industry. The continued partnership with Racing Victoria, Off The Track and the Victorian Agricultural Society of Victoria has resulted in an increase of over $4000 in prizemoney at regional shows. TBV have also met with and lobbied the Government on a number of pressing issues affecting the industry, in particular equine welfare.
The full list of 2018/19 Victorian Breeders Award winners are:
VOBIS Nominator of the Year – Rosemont Stud
VOBIS Trainer of the Year – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
VOBIS Owner of the Year – Rosemont Stud
VOBIS Horse of the Year – Iconoclasm
Bassinghall Farm Leading Victorian Small Breeder Award – Andrew McDonald
Magic Millions Champion Victorian Bred Middle Distance Horse – Le Romain
Inglis Champion Victorian Bred Stayer – Extra Brut
Avenel Equine Champion Victorian Broodmare – Millrich
Surewise Champion Victorian Bred International Horse – Mr Stunning
Inglis Champion Victorian Bred 3 Year Old – Extra Brut
Breednet Champion Victorian Bred 2 Year Old – Lyre
Inglis Service to the Industry Award – George Smith
Digital Media Creations Rising Star Award – Chris Kent
IRT Champion Victorian First Season Sire – Brazen Beau
Avenel Equine Champion Victorian Second Season Sire – Fiorente
Tabcorp Champion Victorian Bred Sprinter – Redzel
Tabcorp Champion Victorian Bred Racehorse – Redzel
IRT Champion Victorian Sire – Written Tycoon
Breednet Champion Victorian Breeder – Rosemont Stud
