The finalists for the 2022 TAB Queensland Thoroughbred Awards have been unveiled.
The Queensland Thoroughbred Awards, held at a gala event at Brisbane City Hall on Sunday, October 9, will recognise the Sunshine State’s most outstanding gallopers and participants over the past season.
In total, 26 awards will be presented, including Trainer, Jockey and Apprentice of the Year, as well as the TAB Queensland Horse of the Year.
The evening will also see six new inductees into the Queensland Hall of Fame.
Heading up the star-studded 3YO Horse of the Year nominations is Queensland Oaks winner Gypsy Goddess, who before taking the Group 1 feature during the TAB Queensland Racing Carnival was placed in both the Group 1 ATC Oaks and Vinery Stud Stakes in NSW.
There’s stiff competition for the title thanks to Tattersall's Tiara champion Startantes, who won the Group 1 feature with a piercing run from the rear, and stablemate Prince Of Boom, who captured the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas and $500,000 QTIS 3YO Jewel.
Nominations for 2YO Horse of the Year are just as impressive, with the Tony Gollan-trained Nettuno up against Listed winner Exo Lady, and Group 1 Golden Slipper runner-up, Best of Bordeaux.
Recently retired sprinter Jonker is one of four nominations for 4YO & Older Horse of the Year on the back of a stirring Group 1 Manikato Stakes triumph at Moonee Valley in October.
Also in the running is big-hearted Kingsford Smith Cup and Weetwood winner Apache Chase, Magic Millions Sprint star Isotope and ultra-reliable Rothfire, who has never finished further back than fifth in his career, also finishing third in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap.
Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell said that the depth and quality of the nominations in each category should be acknowledged and highly respected.
“The class and quality across the board underlines this year’s nominations as one of the strongest crop we’ve seen in recent years,” Mr Parnell said.
“It is testament to the healthy and prosperous state of racing in Queensland and we look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of all nominees and winners.
“Queensland Horse of the Year will no doubt be another hotly contested race, with no shortage of Group 1 and feature race winners littered throughout those to be honoured on the night in what is sure to be a brilliant evening at Brisbane City Hall.”
Reigning Trainer of the Year Tony Gollan has once again put forward a strong case to retain the award he has a stranglehold on, with fellow Eagle Farm trainers Desleigh Forster and the Steven O’Dea and Matthew Hoysted partnership also in contention.
Three of last year’s Queensland Jockey of Year finalists in Ryan Maloney, Jim Byrne and James Orman are again in contention for the coveted title, as well as Ryan Wiggins.
Orman claimed the Metropolitan Premiership with 78.5 winners, 11 more than Byrne, with Maloney on 58, meanwhile Wiggins won the Provincial title with 92 victories.
Third placegetter in the Metropolitan Premiership, Kyle Wilson-Taylor (67.5 wins), has been nominated for Queensland Apprentice of the Year, with his partner and rising star Angela Jones and Jaden Lloyd his rivals.
Click here for further information about the 2022 TAB Queensland Thoroughbred Awards.
2022 Thoroughbred Awards Finalists
TAB Queensland Horse of the Year
-
Apache Chase
- Gypsy Goddess
- Startantes
George Moore Queensland Jockey of the Year
- James Orman
- Jim Byrne
- Ryan Maloney
- Ryan Wiggins
Ken Russell Queensland Apprentice of the Year
- Angela Jones
- Jaden Lloyd
- Kyle Wilson-Taylor
Jim Atkins Queensland Trainer of the Year
- Desleigh Forster
- Steven O’Dea & Matthew Hoysted
- Tony Gollan
2YO Horse of the Year
- Best Of Bordeaux
- Exo Lady
- Nettuno
3YO Horse of the Year
- Gypsy Goddess
- Prince Of Boom
- Startantes
4YO and Older Horse of the Year
- Apache Chase
- Isotope
- Jonker
- Rothfire
ALSO AWARDED ON THE NIGHT:
Horses of the Year
- QTIS Horse of the Year (prize money)
Breeding
- Queensland Broodmare of the Year
- Queensland Stallion of the Year
- Champion First Season Stallion
- Champion 2YO Stallion
Apprentice Awards
- Queensland Student of the Year
- Country Apprentice of the Year
- Provincial Apprentice of the Year
- Metropolitan Apprentice of the Year
Premierships
- Country Premiership Jockey
- Country Premiership Trainer
- Country Premiership Horse of the Year
- Provincial Premiership Jockey
- Provincial Premiership Trainer
- Provincial Premiership Horse of the Year
- Metropolitan Premiership Jockey
- Metropolitan Premiership Trainer
Other Awards
- Darby McCarthy Performance of the Year
- Pam O’Neill Outstanding Achievement
- Six Queensland Hall of Fame inductees