SA racing pays tribute to top performers
27 Aug 2012 | Thoroughbred Racing SA The South Australian thoroughbred racing industry recognised its top performers for the 2011/12 season with Thoroughbred Racing SA’s annual Industry Awards and Hall of Fame induction at the Stamford Grand on Saturday.
More than 450 people including the best in SA thoroughbred racing attended the evening to recognise the achievements of the state’s top jockeys, apprentices, trainers and horses – with prizes awarded to the industry’s finest performers, both past and present.
The Festival Hire SA Champion Racehorse of the Year Award was taken out by Southern Speed, winner of the 2011 Caulfield Cup.
The John Letts Medal – which was introduced in 2011 and recognises excellence in riding and outstanding achievements at all race meetings throughout the State – was awarded to Matthew Neilson.
Mr Neilson also won the prestigious South Australian Jockey of the Year award, while Justin Potter won the equivalent accolade for country racing for the second year in a row.
Steven Pateman was again recognised as the Jumps Jockey of the Year, while the potential of Jordan Frew was acknowledged through the Apprentice of the Year award.
Both the C.S. Hayes Award and Metropolitan Trainer of the Year went to Tony McEvoy, while the honour of Country Trainer of the Year went to Mick Whittle.
Two inductions were made into the SA Hall of Fame, with champion horses Rubiton and Royal Gem both inducted
This year also saw the introduction of two new award categories – ‘Best Racing Story’ and ‘Best Racing Picture’ – with the inaugural ‘Best Racing Story’ award going to Craig Cook for his article ‘How we lured Black Magic’. The accolade for ‘Best Racing Picture’ went to Peter Fuller for his photo ‘The Run Home’.
“The annual Industry Awards and Hall of Fame induction is easily the SA racing industry’s most celebrated event – it is an opportunity to recognise the people, the horses and the moments that make racing the unique sport it is,” Thoroughbred Racing SA Chief Executive Jim Watters said.
“This year’s addition of media awards for Best Racing Story and Best Racing Picture aims to encourage the best racing stories to be told and allows us to recognise the finest racing journalism and photography.
“All of the awards incite much friendly rivalry and it’s great to get together to share the golden moments of the season and honour the best in the industry – both past and present.”
2011/12 Thoroughbred Racing SA Industry Awards Winners
Award Winner
2011/12 E.J. Mooney Medal South Australian Jumps Jockey of the Year Steven Pateman
2011/12 South Australian Jumps Trainer of the Year Patrick Payne
2011/12 TattsBet South Australian Provincial and Country Apprentice of the Year Jordan Frew
2011/12 South Australian Metropolitan Apprentice of the Year Nathan Rose
2011/12 South Australian Most Consistent Racehorse Outlandish Lad
2011/12 TattsBet South Australian Provincial and Country Jockey of the Year Justin Potter
2011/12 South Australian Jockey of the Year Matthew Neilson
2011/12 South Australian Provincial and Country Trainer of the Year Mick Whittle
2011/12 South Australian Metropolitan Trainer of the Year Tony McEvoy
2011/12 Leon Macdonald Award South Australian Apprentice of the Year Jordan Frew
2011/12 C.S. Hayes Award South Australian Trainer of the Year Tony McEvoy
2011/12 Glennon–Johnson Award South Australian Metropolitan Jockey of the Year…………………………………. Matthew Neilson
2012 Most Outstanding Achievement Award by a Club South Australian Jockey Club
2012 Most Outstanding Achievement Award by an Individual John Glatz
2011/12 Festival Hire South Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year …………..Southern Speed
2011/12 John Letts Medal Matthew Neilson
2011/2012 Best Racing Story Craig Cook ‘How we lured Black Magic’
2011/2012 Best Racing Picture Peter Fuller ‘The Run Home’
2012 SA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Horse Rubiton
Horse Royal Gem