Valpolicella has capped off a dominant 2024 season to be crowned the Queensland Greyhound of the Year at tonight’s awards ceremony in Brisbane.
Trained by Anthony Zammit, the superstar chaser continued to reach dazzling heights in 2024, notching up 20 wins and 10 placings from 37 starts – headlined by her superb victories in the Group 1 Gold Cup at Albion Park, Group 1 Zoom Top at The Meadows, and The 715 at The Gardens.
On top of that, she triumphed in the Group 2 Summer Distance Plate Final and placed in the Group 1 Sandown Cup, Group 3 Origin Greyhound Series Distance Final and Group 3 Super Stayers Invitational Final.
In being crowned Greyhound of the Year, Valpolicella defeated fellow finalists All Natural and Autumn Storm, both of whom enjoyed highly consistent 2024 seasons.
“Valpolicella was already one of the nation’s premier chasers, but her Group 1 victories continued to solidify that status in the 2024 season, making her a deserving winner of the Greyhound of the Year Award,” Racing Minister Tim Mander said.
“Off the back of last year’s hugely successful winter and summer carnivals, and with the opening of the world-class facility The Q just around the corner, it is fantastic to see the greyhound code continue to go from strength-to-strength in the Sunshine State.”
In total, Racing Queensland announced over 20 award winners at Victoria Park, acknowledging the remarkable achievements of greyhound racing participants across the state throughout 2024.
The Zammit family also celebrated with Selena Zammit receiving the Women in Racing award for her contribution to racing in Queensland.
Autumn Storm’s trainer Tom Tzouvelis did not go home empty-handed, with his black dog Valhalla being crowned the Capalaba Greyhound of the Year, while Tzouvelis took out the club’s Trainer of the Year award.
The Sandra Hunt-trained Kahlo Hayze was crowned the Brisbane Greyhound of the Year after 19 wins and seven placings from 33 starts, while Cyndie Elson took out her sixth straight Brisbane Trainer of the Year Award.
The Outstanding Contribution Award, which was introduced in 2019 to recognise the tireless efforts of volunteers within the industry, was bestowed upon Townsville Greyhound Club president Gary Heath.
Trainer Martina Kirillidis was awarded the Young Achiever Award for a season that amassed 78 wins and 200 placings from 560 starts for the 34-year-old, while Bruce Timbs took home the Darryl & Maree Heck Brisbane Trainers Strike Rate Award.
Finally, the Belford Family and Faithful Hawk were announced as this year’s Hall of Fame inductees.
