Emotions run high as Queensland Oaks victor Winning Ways claims Queensland racing’s premier award

Winning Ways has claimed an emotional win as Queensland’s Horse of the Year, with trainer Garry Newham now embarking on summer campaign with the special mare.

Queensland Oaks victor Winning Ways was on Sunday night crowned Queensland’s Horse of the Year at a special ceremony in Brisbane.

The Garry Newham-trained mare was an emotional winner, with her owner Paul Makin passing away in the week before the filly won the Group 1 Oaks.

Winning Ways raced at Eagle Farm on Saturday and Newham has made the decision to bypass a southern campaign and try to secure a wildcard for January’s Magic Millions.

“She was a Magic Millions horse, but Paul never paid up for her,” Newham said.

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“Hopefully she can win one of the wildcard races and make it to Millions Day.”

As winner of Horse of the Year, Winning Ways was also named Queensland’s 3YO Horse of the Year, edging out the previously unbeaten Zoustyle and Magic Millions Guineas winner Boomsara.

Tyzone was runner-up in the Horse of the Year voting and was named 4YO and older Horse of the Year after a ­season highlighted by his Group 3 BRC Sprint success and second placing in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.

QTIS Jewel winner The Odyssey, who won four of his seven starts up to Listed level, was 2YO Horse of the Year.

Matthew McGillivray pilots Winning Ways to victory at Doomben in April.

Tony Gollan was a predictable winner of Queensland’s Trainer of the Year award, while Michael Cahill edged out the retired Jeff Lloyd to win Queensland Jockey of the Year following a stellar winter carnival when he won the Doomben 10,000 and Kingsford Smith Cup at Group 1 level on The Bostonian.

After making his city debut in January, Baylee Nothdurft produced a stellar six months to nail the Ken Russell Queensland Apprentice of the Year title.

Tony Gollan has again taken the gong for Queensland’s best trainer.

There were five new inductees to the Queensland Racing Hall of Fame.

Caulfield, Australian and Doomben Cup winner Borehead entered the Horse category, while fresh off his record-equalling 11th Hong Kong premiership success, John Size was inducted into the training category.

Noel Best, winner of the 1948 Doomben 10,000 on Murray Stream as a 16-year-old, was acknowledged for his feats in the saddle.

Former Tattersall’s club president Sir Albert Sakzewski entered the Hall of Fame as an associate, as did the late Darling Downs broadcaster Pat O’Shea.

“For our family it’s the ultimate honour,” son James O’Shea said.

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OTHER AWARD WINNERS

Provincial Apprentice of the Year — Adin Thompson

Country Apprentice of the Year — Emma Bell

Student of the Year — Hannah Phillips

QRIC Stewards Award — Michael Cahill

QTIS Horse of the Year: Hold The Line (David Vandyke)

Provincial Horse of the Year — Mr Attitude (Ricky Vale)

Provincial Trainer of the Year — Stuart Kendrick

Provincial Premiership Jockey — Justin Stanley

Country Premiership Horse of the Year — Fab’s Cowboy (Bevan Johnson)

Country Premiership Trainer — Bevan Johnson

Country Premiership Jockey — Dan Ballard

Queensland Stallion of the Year — Spirit of Boom

Champion First Season Stallion — Better Than Ready

Champion 2YO Stallion — Better Than Ready

Broodmare of the Year — She’s Meaner (dam of Lean Mean Machine)

Originally published as Emotions run high as Queensland Oaks victor Winning Ways claims Queensland racing’s premier award