Winx, Waller big winners at NSW awards

Now-retired champion Winx has again been named the NSW horse of the year.

Champion Winx has again been celebrated as the NSW horse of the year for her final season during which she was again unbeaten.

The mare has been named the NSW miler and middle distance horse of the year in addition to the top honour at the NSW Racehorse Owners event in Sydney on Thursday.

Her trainer Chris Waller collected the Bart Cummings medal for the ninth time for his outstanding achievements during the 2018/19 season which included the trainers’ premiership.

“Chris Waller has marvelled the world through his extraordinary feat over a number of years keeping Winx – the world’s best racehorse – at the top of her game,” Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said.

“But Chris and his team also train and care for hundreds of other horses on a daily basis and they must be congratulated for their professionalism and extreme dedication to our sport.”

Waller also collected the TJ Smith Award for Sydney’s leading trainer, finishing the 2018/19 season with 172 winners.

James McDonald claimed his third George Moore Award for winning the Sydney jockeys’ premiership with 104 wins for the season while Robbie Dolan took out the Theo Green Award for leading Sydney apprentice with 48 wins.

NSW Racehorse Owners award winners:

Horse of the year: Winx

Middle distance: Winx

Miler: Winx

2YO: Kiamichi

3YO: The Autumn Sun

Sprinter: Osborne Bulls

Stayer: Shraaoh

Provincial: Angel of Truth

Country: Eckstein

Queen of the Autumn: Dixie Blossoms

Other awards:

NSW Racing Writers’ Personality of the Year: Nini Vascotto

“Nini is a wonderful ambassador for Sydney racing, both in her role with the Australian Turf Club and her prolific social media presence, where she promotes the sport to a wider audience. She presents racing in a positive light despite having to deal with her own quite significant health issues. Nini is an extraordinarily brave woman and an inspiration to many,” Daily Telegraph racing editor Ray Thomas said.

Trainer John O’Shea nominated and paid tribute to Alexandra Maher who is the Sydney Strapper of the Year and an essential part of the O’shea stable.

“Alex is held in high regard by her peers and senior staff. She goes above and beyond her duties to ensure the stable runs smoothly and efficiently; this means starting before anyone else at 3:30am and being the last to leave after every shift,” he said.

“Alex is an integral part of the team and is first point of contact to coordinate vets, physios, truck drivers, feed deliveries, drive our own truck on raceday as well as saddling up duties and staff rostering. Alex is the foundation of the stable and a real favourite.”