A highlight of the 2018 Scone Horse Week festivities is the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association Annual Award night to recognise the Hunter Valleys elite equine athletes and some of its tireless workers.
Morgan + English is proud to be a sponsor of this event, with the firm’s partners Daniel Morgan and Annette English both presenting awards on the night.
Annette English presented the award for the 2018 HTBA 3 year old colt to Godolphin for the winner of the Group 1 Randwick Guineas Kementari. The colt is a son of Godolphin’s Champion miler, Horse of the Year, and Champion sire Lonhro out of Yavanna. Godolphin’s Managing Director, Vin Cox, accepted the award on behalf of Godolphin.
The 2018 HTBA Champion 3 year old filly was awarded to multi Group 1 winner Shoals. The daughter of Coolmore’s Champion sprinter and Champion sire, Fastnet Rock and out of The Broken Shire, Shoals was bred by Arrowfield Pastoral and GSA Bloodstock. Daniel Morgan presented the award on behalf of Pages Events to Arrowfield Stud general manager, Paul Messara.
DGM and Messara
Million-dollar baby Estijaab, daughter of Arrowfield’s champion sire Snitzel out of Response and winner of the 2018 Golden Slipper, claimed this year’s 2018 HTBA Champion 2 year old filly award. Estijaab was bred by Jungle Pocket Pty Ltd. The 2018 HTBA 2 year old filly award, sponsored by Scone Race Club, was presented by Scone Race Club’s CEO, Heath Courtney and accepted by Arrowfield’s general manager, Paul Messara.
The 2018 HTBA Champion 2 year old colt award sponsored by International Animal Health Products, was awarded to Santos, son of Yarraman Park’s champion sire I Am Invincible, out of Ghaliah. Santos was bred by Emirates Park. The 2018 HTBA 2 year old colt award was presented by International Animal Health Product’s Managing Director Chris Lawlor and accepted by Dr Shalabh of Emirates Park.
For the third year in a row, the 2018 Champion Racehorse was awarded to the world’s best racehorse, Winx. Daughter of Godolphin’s Street Cry out of Vegas Showgirl, bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds and raised by Coolmore, Winx is Australia’s darling of the racetrack. She has surpassed the legendary Phar Lap’s racing record and, to date, matched Black Caviar’s record of 25 unbeaten wins. The 2018 Champion Racehorse award, sponsored by Goldners Equine Transport, was presented by Goldner’s chairman, Charles Jennings and accepted by Maria Pikhotska of Segenhoe Stud on behalf of Fairway Thoroughbreds.
For the third consecutive year, Vegas Showgirl, dam of Winx, was awarded the 2018 HTBA Champion Broodmare award. The 2018 Champion Broodmare award was presented by Dr David O’Meara on behalf of the award’s sponsor, Scone Equine Hospital and accepted by John McConnell of Segenhoe Stud on behalf of Vegas Showgirl’s owners, Fairway Thoroughbreds.
Dual Group 1 winner and first horse to win the Golden Rose and Ascot Vale (Coolmore) Stakes double, Zoustar was awarded 2018 HTBA Champion First Season Sire. Son of Widden’s Northern Meteor out of ZouZou, Zoustar’s first crop of 2 year olds include winners such as Sunlight and Madam Rouge. The 2018 HTBA Champion First Season Sire award, sponsored by Kentucky Equine Research, was presented Mr Peter Huntington and accepted by Widden’s owner, Anthony Thompson.
The 2018 HTBA Champion Sire was awarded to Arrowfield’s Snitzel. Son of champion sire, Redoute’s Choice, Snitzel’s 2016/17 tally of 26 Australian stakes winners equalled his famous grandfather Danehill’s, record and Snitzel’s tally of 35 juvenile winners achieved a new mark. Chris Russell, William Inglis and Son’s Bloodstock Manager presented the award on behalf of the sponsor, which was accepted by Arrowfield’s general manager, Paul Messara.
The Murray Bain Service to Industry Award honours the outstanding achievements of those in our industry who champion exceptional service to industry and hands-on practice. This year’s Murray Bain Services to Industry Award recipient was, David Merrick.
A lawyer by training with a true love of the thoroughbred at heart, the 2018 HTBA President’s Award honoured a man who, for more than 50 years, has been a respected adviser, a passionate promoter and an
indefatigable advocate for the industry: Ken Barry.
