Sports

Connections of Alf’s Magic were thrilled when the galloper won three-year-old colt or gelding of the year and 2022 Horse of the Year. Image: Emma Pritchard

Racing to win

Emma Pritchard

 

The Clarence River Jockey Club (CRJC) hosted the Horse of the Year Awards for the 2021/22 racing season on September 24, celebrating the achievements of the best local thoroughbreds and trainers during the past 12 months.   

Talented gelding Durnstein was named as the two-year-old of the year.

Trained by Dwayne Schmidt, who described him as “a promising horse”, the talented son of Exosphere recorded a dominant victory on his home track on July 5 and has two wins and one minor placing from four career starts to date.

Schmidt made a quick return to the stage when another of his stable stars Alf’s Magic was announced as the three-year old colt or gelding of the year.

“He’s a lovely little horse, he’s overcome a lot of injuries, and hopefully we can win a few more races with him,” he said.

The owners of Wonderwhen happily shared a feel-good story with the crowd after their talented galloper won the three-year-old filly of the year award.

Bought as a weaning for a couple of cartons of Tooheys, Wonderwhen has proven to be an outstanding investment.

The daughter of Group 1 winner Denman has only finished out of the top three placings once in 10 career starts and has amassed close to $70000 in prizemoney.

Popular galloper Tara Jasmine was rewarded for her consistency when she was announced as the four-year-old and upwards mare of the year.

After winning the 2021 Jacaranda Cup in emphatic style last November, the daughter of Cowboy Blue ran a close third in the Mother’s Gift during the 2022 July Racing Carnival after missing the start.

As he stepped forward to accept the award, her proud trainer John Shelton was also presented with the leading trainer award in recognition of his outstanding training efforts.

After recording a tough win in the 2022 Wauchope Cup, Racketeering was named as the four-year-old entire or gelding of the year, before grand campaigner Memphis Squaw won the old timers award.

Purchased for $3000 and trained by Shane Everson, the recently turned eight-year-old has recorded two wins and five minor placings from her past 17 starts and has been a model of consistency.

Prolific jockey Matt McGuren won his sixth John Hutchings Award for best rider, while Everson was presented with the Bob Gosling Award, named in honour of the owner of 1983 Grafton Cup winner Ward’s Mistake, for his remarkable training efforts.

The coveted 2022 Horse of the Year title was awarded to Alf’s Magic who beat Tara Jasmine and Racketeering to the top honour.