A Fitting Finale for Winx at Racing’s Night of Champions

While the announcement of Winx as last season’s Champion Horse of the Year was no surprise, the large crowd in the Royal Randwick Ballroom rose to their feet to celebrate this true champion.
We saw the “very best” in the racing world in contention for all the awards at this gala event, which was televised live on Sky Thoroughbred Central.
The NSWROA award winners for the 2018/19 season are:

The event this year was proudly sponsored by TAB, Racing NSW, Sky Thoroughbred Central, City Tattersalls Club, the Australian Turf Club, New Zealand Bloodstock, Wild Oaks, Coolmore Australia, Inglis, Carrazzo Consulting, Hall Chadwick, International Animal Health Products and De Bortoli Wines.
Co-Major Sponsor, Racing NSW, also presented their annual awards on the night, with Chris Waller once again taking out the coveted Bart Cummings Medal by a large margin.
Chris Waller also picked up the T J Smith Award for the Sydney Premiership Trainer.
Other awards presented included the George Moore Award (James McDonald), the Theo Green Award (Robbie Dolan), BOBS Horse of the Year (River Bird) and the Sydney Strapper of the Year (Alexandra Maher from the John O’Shea yard).
NSW Racing Writers’ Personality of the Year was a popular decision, being awarded to the much admired Nini Vascotto, who delivered a heartfelt and touching speech.
An auction conducted by Greg Radley in aid of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia opened with an on-stage interview with Tye Angland, a client of SCIA, and his close friend Grant Buckley. The top auction item, a
service to Vancouver donated by Tommy Berry and Coolmore Australia, was clinched by Australian Bloodstock for $40,000 plus GST, with the underbidder being Evergreen Farm, Hong Kong.
NSWROA President, Mr Ray McDowell said, “On behalf of Spinal Cord Injuries Australia and NSWROA, I would like to thank everyone for helping us “celebrate the best” of the NSW Thoroughbred industry. My thanks again to our wonderful sponsors, donors and successful bidders. And most importantly, congratulations to all racing’s winners and I look forward to seeing you all again next year.”