Pride of Jenni has been crowned the 2023/2024 Australian Racehorse of the Year at a Gala Ceremony at the Wolf Blass Event Centre at Morphettville. Owner Tony Ottobre were in Adelaide to accept the prestigious award which the front-running superstar won ahead of Without A Fight, Imperatriz, Riff Rocket and Mr Brightside.
The now seven-year-old mare produced one of the greatest performances ever witnessed on an Australian racecourse when she won the $5 million Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick in April.
After kicking off the Melbourne Cup Carnival with victory in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes, Pride of Jenni produced another devastating display of sustained speed and stamina at Flemington a week later to take out the Group 1 Kennedy Champions Mile (1600m). In one of the defining rivalries of the season she also denied Mr Brightside a second successive win in the $4 million All-Star Mile (1600m) with another stunning performance under her regular rider Declan Bates.
Pride of Jenni was also named Champion Middle Distance Horse winning that honour ahead of Mr Brightside, Romantic Warrior, Fangirl and Alligator Blood.
Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup hero Without A Fight trained by Sam and Anthony Freedman not surprisingly took home the Champion Stayer of the Year award.
Godolphin’s star colt Broadsiding was crowned the Champion Two-Year-Old after one of the most dominant Group 1 displays possible to win the JJ Atkins Stakes. It followed his win in the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce and his win in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes at Randwick.
Dynamic Bjorn Baker-trained sprinter Stefi Magnetica was named Champion Three-Year-Old Filly after her magnificent triumph in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
In emotional scenes owner Debbi Kepitis accepted the Champion Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding award for Riff Rocket who passed away last month after a bout of colic. He was victorious in the Group 1 Victoria Derby, Rosehill Guineas and ATC Australian Derby last season.
Kiwi superstar Imperatriz was crowned Champion Sprinter after a streak that netted her six straight wins – including five at Group 1 level. Opie Bosson and Imperatriz took out the Moir, Manikato, VRC Champions Sprint, Black Caviar Lightning and William Reid Stakes.
Stern Idol’s stunning 14-length Mosstrooper Steeplechase win at Pakenham, along with wins in the Crisp Steeplechase and Brierly made the Ciaron Maher-trained Irish import the undisputed Champion Jumper of the season.
For the 12th consecutive year Chris Waller was honoured with the title of Champion Group 1 Trainer with a phenomenal 12 Group 1 wins, and the Australian Hall of Fame trainer travelled to South Australia to accept the award.
James McDonald continued his dominating ways riding 14 Group 1 winners in Australia to take out the title of Champion Group 1 Jockey for a fourth straight year.
Yarraman Park’s I am Invincible won his third Australian champion sires’ title with a record-breaking tally of more than $32 million on progeny earnings during the 23/24 season.
