Chris Waller edges James McDonald for 2024 Bart Cummings Medal at Racing Night of Champions Awards

In a cliffhanger finish, Chris has won the prestigious Bart Cummings Medal at the Racing Night of Champions Awards at Royal Randwick, beating jockey James McDonald by a single vote.

Chris Waller has edged out James McDonald in a cliffhanger finish to win the prestigious Bart Cummings Medal at the Racing Night of Champions Awards at Royal Randwick on Thursday night.

The Hall of Fame trainer earned 75 points to win the award, scraping home by one point from McDonald in the closest count in the medal’s history.

Waller collected his 13th Bart Cummings Medal in 14 years for his achievements in Sydney racing during the 2023-24 season. The award, named in honour of the legendary trainer who passed away nine years ago, is comprised of votes from Sydney racing journalists.

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“Congratulations to Chris Waller and his highly professional team for taking out another Bart Cummings Medal and a 14th successive Sydney trainers’ premiership,” Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said.

“The amazing achievements of Chris Waller are now widely acclaimed not only in horse racing but in sport generally and showcases our state’s racing to Australia and internationally.”

Waller also claimed a 14th successive TJ Smith Medal for winning the Sydney trainers’ premiership with 148 wins for the season.

"It's a privilege to be training horses like her." @cwallerracing after Via Sistina claimed the Winx Stakes. pic.twitter.com/AIV0vIjRTU

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 24, 2024

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The champion trainer had another phenomenal season, preparing 292 winners on all tracks including 12 at Group 1 level for stable earnings of $51.7 million, an all-time record.

McDonald didn’t go home empty-handed as he collected an eighth George Moore Medal – and his sixth in a row – which is awarded to Sydney’s leading jockey. He rode 90 winners last season to claim another premiership, nine wins clear of nearest rival Nash Rawiller.

The award caps a stellar season for McDonald who rode 145 winners on all tracks, 19 at Group 1 level including five international majors, with his mounts earning a record $56.3 million prizemoney.

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆@mcacajamez has claimed a 8th Sydney jockeys title! pic.twitter.com/FSJoeCOG3G

— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) July 31, 2024

• Enriched by Winx: Collett makes winning a family affair

Zac Lloyd rode 60 winners last season to retain the Sydney apprentices’ title and earn a second Theo Green Medal. He also broke through at Group 1 level with his win on Stefi Magnetica in the Stradbroke Handicap.

Adrian Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, was NSW Racing Writers’ Personality of the Year.

The Bott-Waterhouse stable had its best-ever season with 175 winners on all tracks including six at Group 1 level with their runners earning just over $30 million prizemoney.

Despite Waterhouse’s influence and standing in the sport, Bott, who is always obliging to the media, has emerged from her shadow to make his own mark on Sydney racing.

That was special! Fangirl kicks clear to win the King Charles III in dominant fashion! 🙌@[e-mail]/8o5wSFko67

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 14, 2023

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Fangirl, winner of the Winx Stakes and King Charles III Stakes at Group 1 level, was a worthy winner of NSW Champion Horse of the Year although the omission from the finalists of outstanding three-year-olds Riff Rocket and Celestial Legend, as well as runaway Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Pride Of Jenni, raised eyebrows.

Riff Rocket did win the three-year-old title and Pride Of Jenni earned the middle distance award.

Godolphin’s Broadsiding, a dual Group 1 winner of the Champagne Stakes and JJ Atkins last season, edged out Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot for two-year-old honours, while The Everest hero Think About It was top sprinter.

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■ ■ ■ ■ ■

NSW RACEHORSE OWNERS AWARD WINNERS
Broadsiding – Champion Two-Year-Old
Riff Rocket – Champion Three-Year-Old
Think About It — Champion Sprinter
Fangirl – Champion Miler
Pride Of Jenni – Champion Middle Distance Horse
Circle Of Fire – Champion Stayer
Zougotcha – Queen of the Autumn
Front Page – Country Champion
Think It Over – Provincial Champion
Fangirl – Horse of the Year

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OTHER AWARDS
Ashish Kumar – Sydney Strapper of the Year
In Flight – BOBS Horse of the Year

FINAL POINTS FOR 2023-24 BART CUMMINGS MEDAL
Chris Waller – 75
James McDonald – 74
Nash Rawiller – 68
Tommy Berry – 49
Tyler Schiller – 48
Gai Waterhouse-Adrian Bott – 47
Zac Lloyd – 45
Jason Collett, Ciaron Maher – 39

Originally published as Chris Waller edges James McDonald for 2024 Bart Cummings Medal at Racing Night of Champions Awards