Pride Of Jenni crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year

After dazzling Australian racing with her bold frontrunning style, superstar mare Pride Of Jenni has been crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year in Adelaide on Tuesday night.

Pride Of Jenni was crowned the Australian Racehorse of the Year on Tuesday night. Picture: Pat Scala/Racing Photos via Getty Images

After dazzling Australian racing with her bold frontrunning style, superstar mare Pride Of Jenni has been crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year in Adelaide on Tuesday night.

Prepared by top trainer Ciaron Maher, Pride Of Jenni won the 2023/24 title ahead of Without A Fight, Riff Rocket and Mr Brightside.

The brilliant mare delivered one of the most breathtaking performances in Australian racing history with her win in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick in April, along with back-to-back Group 1 wins in the Empire Rose (1600m) and Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington in November.

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The seven-year-old, who has developed an absorbing rivalry with fellow champion galloper Mr Brightside, also won the $4m All-Star Mile (1600m) at Caulfield in March.

All four of her outstanding wins were under the riding of regular hoop Declan Bates.

Owner Tony Ottobre was in Adelaide to accept the coveted award at the Wolf Blass Event Centre at Morphettville racecourse.

The top gong wasn’t the only honour for Pride Of Jenni on the night, the mare was also named Champion Middle Distance Horse.

She secured that title ahead of Mr Brightside, Romantic Warrior, Fangirl and Alligator Blood.

After claiming the remarkable Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double, Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained stayer Without A Fight was a worthy winner of the Champion Stayer of the Year award.

Without A Fight won the Champion Stayer award. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Rising Godolphin star Broadsiding was crowned the Champion Two-Year-Old.

The James Cummings-trained colt was brilliant in winning the Group 1 JJ Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm, while he also won the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) and G2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).

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Stefi Magnetica was awarded Champion Three-Year-Old Filly, the sprinter – trained by Bjorn Baker – won the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm in June, which was young gun Zac Lloyd’s first Group 1 win as a jockey.

In what was an emotional result, Riff Rocket was named Champion Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding.

The Chris Waller-trained gelding passed away in September after succumbing to colic.

Riff Rocket won the Group 1 Victorian Derby (2500m), Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m).

Owner Debbie Kepitis was in attendance to accept the award.

Star sprinter Imperatriz was crowned Champion Sprinter.

Chris Waller was Champion Group 1 trainer for the 12th straight year. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

The Kiwi mare won five Group 1s, saluting in the Moir Stakes (1000m), Manikato Stakes (1200m), VRC Champions Sprint (1200m), Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (1000m) and William Reid Stakes (1200m).

All of her Group 1 victories came under the steering of champion hoop Opie Bosson for trainer Mark Walker.

Maher’s name was once again front and centre when Stern Idol was awarded the Champion Jumper of the season.

Stern Idol won the Mosstrooper Steeplechase (3500m), Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) and Brierly (3450m).

Master trainer Waller was named Champion Group 1 Trainer after notching 12 Group 1 wins over the course of the season.

It was the 12th consecutive year that Waller has won the award.

Champion jockey James McDonald won 14 Group 1 races across the season, and that saw him crowned Champion Group 1 Jockey for a fourth-straight year.

Yarraman Park’s I Am Invincible was awarded Australian Champion Sire for the third time.

Originally published as Pride Of Jenni crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year