Y9 AWARDS PRESENTATION

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HORSE OF THE YEAR

HONORED BRAVERY He didn't quite make a clean sweep of the turf division this year, but Honored Bravery lived up to his name by giving it a very good try in one of the best two year old seasons we've ever seen. A chestnut roan newcomer from Flat Creek Racing, 'Brave' ran outstandingly on debut to a four length victory over other quality two year olds, and his formed only strengthened over the year, which he ended with six wins and a show from nine starts. He earned his first Feature win quickly in the Summer Stakes Juvenile, which we soon learnt was only a prep for the real challenge - the Virtuity Treble. Honored Bravery took the three races in fine style, beating down a classy field for the Honesty Stakes before falling to a disappointing sixth in the Charity Derby after blowing the start. He was back for the Hope Plate though, and took it in fine style, leaving a fine picture of what could have been.

CHAMPION TWO YEAR OLD

HONORED BRAVERY

CHAMPION TWO YEAR OLD MALE

HONORED BRAVERY He didn't quite make a clean sweep of the turf division this year, but Honored Bravery lived up to his name by giving it a very good try in one of the best two year old seasons we've ever seen. A chestnut roan newcomer from Flat Creek Racing, 'Brave' ran outstandingly on debut to a four length victory over other quality two year olds, and his formed only strengthened over the year, which he ended with six wins and a show from nine starts. He earned his first Feature win quickly in the Summer Stakes Juvenile, which we soon learnt was only a prep for the real challenge - the Virtuity Treble. Honored Bravery took the three races in fine style, beating down a classy field for the Honesty Stakes before falling to a disappointing sixth in the Charity Derby after blowing the start. He was back for the Hope Plate though, and took it in fine style, leaving a fine picture of what could have been.

CHAMPION TWO YEAR OLD FEMALE

PRINCESS DIAMOND Owned and trained by newcomer Rachel Smith of New Hope Stables, two year old filly Princess Diamond had a little trouble finding her feet this year, though she showed plenty of talent. Her first win came in only her second race, by a comfortable two lengths against some tough competition, and from there she was sent out to the Juveniles, with shows in both the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Summer Stakes Juvenile. A Feature win is well overdue for this filly, and she is expected to return stronger than ever in Y10.

CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD

VANQUISHED

CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD MALE

MINDSET Mindset improved quite a lot this year, becoming much more of a dominating presence in the dirt sprint division alongside Vanquished and managing to snatch away more wins than when he was a two year old. Owned by Flat Creek Racing, Mindset roared away with three Feature wins this season, beating down rival Vanquished in every one in the process; the Queen's Stakes, Hollinsworth Stakes and Fantasia Open. He also placed in the Summer Oaks in a narrow finish. Mindset is expected to be back and better than ever next year; there is plenty of speculation that this classy colt has yet to hit his peak.

CHAMPION THREE YEAR OLD FEMALE

VANQUISHED Last years Champion Two Year Old came back fighting this year, sweeping the crowd off their feet with a brilliant first-up performance in the Hollinsworth Prelude against other three year olds. Vanquished, or 'The Freak' to those who have seen her run, hit her peak this year, belting out burning fast works that only got faster and beating nearly every horse they said she couldn't. She almost made it to GII as well, with a total of eight wins from fourteen starts over her two years of racing so far, and brought her Feature count to four with the Hollinsworth Prelude and Summer Oaks. Bred, owned and trained by King's Park Racing, this filly was always destined to be something worth watching throughout her career, and she certainly hasn't disappointed, drawing ever greater crowds with her blinding speed and fierce rivalry with fellow three year old, Mindset.

CHAMPION OLDER HORSE

CONSTELLATION

CHAMPION OLDER MALE

CONSTELLATION Despite only being lightly raced in his six year old season, Constellation is still a name that is well-known by the crowd. King's Park were taking it carefully with their star stallion this year, entering him in only one Feature; the Summer Stakes, a race that he has ruled over for the past two years, but this time the mighty Constellation fell to Unsung Hero, in no way earning himself a nomination for Horse of the Year. Despite the lack of Feature appearances, he still claimed three wins this season, to bring his total to 20; the GII Eight Thousand Stakes, GII Allium Derby, and Open Delicate Stakes.
Constellation was retired at the end of the year due to a tendon injury in a training accident, and will be standing for stud in Y10.

CHAMPION OLDER FEMALE

THE WILD LIFE A well-known name around the track and consistant competitor, The Wild Life competed as a five year old this season, bringing her total wins to eight from twenty nine starts. Though she didn't manage to defend her title in the Summer Oaks, finishing fourth in a high-class field, she did manage a place in the Lousiville Cup, and came a close second to Vanquished in the Green Font Mile. The Wild Life is expected to come back as a six year old before retiring.

CHAMPION DIRT HORSE

MINDSET Mindset improved quite a lot this year, becoming much more of a dominating presence in the dirt sprint division alongside Vanquished and managing to snatch away more wins than when he was a two year old. Owned by Flat Creek Racing, Mindset roared away with three Feature wins this season, beating down rival Vanquished in every one in the process; the Queen's Stakes, Hollinsworth Stakes and Fantasia Open. He also placed in the Summer Oaks in a narrow finish. Mindset is expected to be back and better than ever next year; there is plenty of speculation that this classy colt has yet to hit his peak.

CHAMPION TURF HORSE

HONORED BRAVERY He didn't quite make a clean sweep of the turf division this year, but Honored Bravery lived up to his name by giving it a very good try in one of the best two year old seasons we've ever seen. A chestnut roan newcomer from Flat Creek Racing, 'Brave' ran outstandingly on debut to a four length victory over other quality two year olds, and his formed only strengthened over the year, which he ended with six wins and a show from nine starts. He earned his first Feature win quickly in the Summer Stakes Juvenile, which we soon learnt was only a prep for the real challenge - the Virtuity Treble. Honored Bravery took the three races in fine style, beating down a classy field for the Honesty Stakes before falling to a disappointing sixth in the Charity Derby after blowing the start. He was back for the Hope Plate though, and took it in fine style, leaving a fine picture of what could have been.

SIRE OF THE YEAR

SPIRITWAY Spiritway of King's Park Racing has sired six foals in the last two years, with his first foals ready to hit the track in Y10. He's become very well known for throwing beautifully coloured (most foals are cream dilutes) and well confirmed foals with talent to spare, but has seen little popularity so far, sadly.
Of his foals, yearling fillies Tia Dalma and Laughing Spirit (out of Hoist the Colours and Laugh It Off respectively) stand out of the crowd, with very fine pedigrees to boast as they begin their careers. From this year's crop, Pleasant Disposition cannot be overlooked either; a palomino colt out of Autumn Fun and a King's Park homebred with plenty of potential.

BROODMARE OF THE YEAR

LAUGH IT OFF Now the dam of three foals, Laugh It Off was one of Flat Creek's main runners in her day, and has since produced foals just as fine as herself. Three year old filly Rocket Away stuck to her guns this year and earned award nominations though had no luck getting all the way, struggling to keep up with the records of her peers. Honored Bravery, Laugh It Off's two year old colt by Syllable, made a splash on the track with his roaring debut, came close to taking the Treble and took several end-of-year awards - easily the best of his age group. High hopes are had for yearling colt Laughing Spirit, and the public are eager to see what this family line will achieve next.

STABLE OF THE YEAR

KING'S PARK RACING As always, King's Park was an ever-felt presence on the track this year, unleashing a new crop of two year olds and bringing back plenty of reigning champions as well. Constellation ran his final season this year, representing the stable in GII races, while three year old fillies Vanquished and Phonetica continued their reign over the sprint division with Vanquished smashing through several track records. Wonder, a full sister to the stable's best distance runner, Sails Abroad, held her own on the turf, competing mainly in the Juvenile division, and the latest son of Autumn Fun was set loose - though not as good as his older siblings, Autumn Spell is still shaping up to be a force to be reckoned with, and with such a loud coat, no one can keep their eyes off him.

BREEDER OF THE YEAR

KING'S PARK RACING With seven foals joining the ranks at King's Park this year, not many can pass these youngsters over without spotting the potential for greatness in all of them. Of the seven, two colts in particular stand out; Pleasant Disposition, a fiery palomino colt by Spiritway out of Autumn Fun, and Conclusion, a loud sabino/splash from Zynco and ByeByeBirdy - a full brother to Constellation. Also spotted burning up the paddock were sabino filly Hallucination and an eye-catching silver dapple colt, Fundamental. Fillies Battleship and Appelation look to shape up into sturdy runners as well, and of course no one can go past the Challenger x Zorya filly In Defiance, carrying her mother's trademark front stocking, as always.