In a night of glitz and glamour before a packed audience, high quality mare Tuesday Joy on Thursday night was named New South Wales Champion Horse of the Year at the NSW Racehorse Owners Association's (NSWROA) 2008 Racing Night of Champions.
The wonderful mare who is prepared by Gai Waterhouse, is owned by well-known larrikin John Singleton who named Tuesday Joy after the race he aspires to win with her - the Melbourne Cup (run on the first Tuesday in November).
The prestigious 'Night of Champions' event, held at The Pavilion at Royal Randwick Racecourse which was in aid of Redkite (Australia's leading cancer support charity), was abuzz with excitement with 'top fields' in contention for all the awards.
The award winners for the 2007/08 season were:-
Award Nominations
Champion Horse of the Year TUESDAY JOY
2YO of the Year SEBRING
3YO of the Year HEAVENLY GLOW
Sprinter/Miler of the Year RACING TO WIN
Middle Distance Horse of the Year SIRMIONE
Stayer of the Year NO WINE NO SONG
Country Champion Horse of the Year TAKEOVER TARGET
Provincial Champ. Horse of the Year SAMANTHA MISS
For the first occasion, NSWROA presented an Industry Recognition Award, a special award to honour an outstanding contribution made to the industry. This award will not necessarily be made every year.
The inaugural winner of the award was popular racing figure Brother Dan Stafford.
Other awards to be presented on the night included the Queen of the Autumn Award (Heavenly Glow) and three other prestigious awards presented by Racing NSW - the T J Smith Award (Gai Waterhouse), the George Moore Award (Blake Shinn) and the Theo Green Award (Peter Wells).
In what was, without doubt, the biggest event in NSWROA's history, the dulcet tones of Aria Award Winners Human Nature had the packed audience in raptures.
NSWROA President, Stephen van Eyk, said: "On behalf of Redkite and NSW Racehorse Owners Association, I would like to thank everyone for attending this very special event which showcases the very best of the NSW thoroughbred industry.
"My thanks also go out to our sponsors whose support is greatly appreciated. Congratulations to all winners and I look forward to seeing you all again next year."