Nature Strip has added yet another accolade to his stunning career after today being crowned the 2020 Australian Racehorse of the Year.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding added three Group 1 titles to the trophy cabinet in season 2019/20, kicking off with victories in the Moir Stakes and Darley Sprint Classic in Melbourne’s Spring Carnival, before a vintage performance in the TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick in April.
His stellar season heralded seven starts for four wins and nearly $4 million in prize money.
The six-year-old has also been awarded the 2020 Champion Sprinter of the Year, capping off another brilliant year for the speed machine.
Nature Strip’s triumph ends Winx’s incredible four-year hold on the honour – brought on by the mighty mare’s retirement in April 2019 – and makes it a fifth year running for the Waller stable.
“It is amazing to get a horse like this, he has gone from a horse that has been a genuine Group 2 winner, and then in one season has won multiple Group 1 races including the biggest sprint races on the racing calendar,” Waller said.
“It is a privilege to be part of his career and respect should also be given to my team for the work they have done with Nature Strip behind the scenes making sure that he is well prepared and continues to peak throughout each preparation resulting in some really big wins.
“Obviously those who voted for him to be Australia’s Horse of The Year share our sentiments towards the horse and we are looking forward to the spring unfolding with some more exciting wins.”
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt Farnan has taken out the 2020 Champion Two-Year-Old of the Year, enjoying a stellar five-win debut season, including the $3.5 million Group 1 Golden Slipper.
Loving Gaby was crowned the Champion Three-Year-Old Filly after claiming two Group 1 titles – the Manikato and William Reid Stakes – while The Everest winner, Yes Yes Yes, was the Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding of the Year.
The Champion Middle Distance of the Year Award could not be split, with All Star Mile champion Regal Power and dual Group 1 winner Fierce Impact sharing the spoils.
It comes as no surprise that reigning Melbourne Cup champion Vow And Declare was declared Champion Stayer of the Year; with eye-catching lead-up runs in the Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup setting the tone for a thrilling half-head victory on the first Tuesday in November.
Finally, Tallyho Twinkletoe has taken out the Champion Jumper of the Year Award, in a season that saw the 10-year-old claim three of the nation’s premier jump races in Grand National Hurdle, Grand National Chase and Brendan Drechsler Hurdle.
“As a three-time Group 1 winner last season, Nature Strip showed time and time again why he is one of the country’s top sprinters, and is a thoroughly deserving winner of Australian Racehorse of the Year,” RQ CEO Brendan Parnell said.
“The calibre of each award winner underlines how strong a position the industry is in presently, and although we have lost Loving Gaby and Yes Yes Yes to the breeding barn, the likes of Farnan, Vow And Declare, Fierce Impact and Nature Strip will ensure the standard of racing remains at its highest.
“I wish to congratulate all award winners and look forward to another brilliant season of Australian racing.”
The awards acknowledge performances on Australian tracks, as well as international performances by Australian-trained horses, for the period from August 1, 2019 to July 31, 2020.
The main categories were voted on by more than 60 of the nation’s racing media and handicappers, with the winner receiving the highest number of votes awarded on a 3-2-1 basis.