Uncommon James claims TAB Queensland Horse of the Year

Group 1 champion Uncommon James has been crowned Queensland Horse of the Year at the 2023 TAB Queensland Thoroughbred Awards.

The gelding, trained by Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted, confirmed his status as one of the nation’s star sprinters in the 2022/23 season, headlined by a stirring Group 1 Oakleigh Plate triumph at Sandown earlier this year.

The five-year-old announced himself to the nation by winning the Listed Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield in August 2022, before returning to Melbourne to become a Group 1 champion.

Fittingly, he was also named Queensland 4YO and Older Horse of the Year at tonight’s Awards.

Another standout season in the saddle saw James Orman take home his second straight George Moore Queensland Jockey of the Year crown, adding to his Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership with 104 winners.

He also finished second in the Australian Jockey Premiership, with 201 wins.

Tony Gollan’s decade-long reign as the state’s premier trainer continued, claiming the Jim Atkins Trainer of the Year Award for the 10^th straight year.

Gollan saddled up 194.5 winners across the state, the most of any trainer, whilst also claiming the Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership with 140.5 victories – obliterating his own metropolitan record in the process.

Rising star Angela Jones was named the Sky Racing Ken Russell Queensland Apprentice of the Year, in a season that saw her chalk up 79 winners, finishing third behind Orman and Ben Thompson in the Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership.

Racing Minister Grace Grace was on hand to open the evening and present the Racing Queensland Student of the Year Award to apprentice Emily Pomfrett.

“The TAB Queensland Thoroughbred Awards is always a fantastic evening for the industry, and a great opportunity to acknowledge the class and quality of both human and equine participants in our sport,” she said.

“This season has seen the unearthing of the sport’s the next generation of stars, and it is fitting to see almost 400 people here at the Royal International Convention Centre to acknowledge those achievements.

“Congratulations to all winners, and also those who were nominated, and I look forward to seeing the sport go to another level this coming season.”

Gollan’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic champion Skirt The Law was bestowed the 2YO Horse of the Year title, meanwhile the Chris Waller-trained Queensland Derby winner Kovalica held out some strong competition to claim the 3YO Horse of the Year.

The ever-reliable Rothfire was crowned QTIS Horse of the Year after a gallant second in the Stradbroke Handicap to go with victories in the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm in April and the Group 2 McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley.

“Year on year, we are seeing Queensland racing continue to reach new heights, and this is again reflected in the quality of the winners and nominees at tonight’s Awards,” Racing Queensland CEO Jason Scott said.

“Uncommon James’ maiden Group 1 victory was a galvanising moment for the local industry, delivering not only a first win at the top level for the O’Dea-Hoysted stable, but also for young hoop Ben Thompson.

“Our local participants continue to bat above their weight on the national stage, and we are proud in the knowledge that some genuine stars of Australian racing call Queensland home.

“We cannot wait to see what’s to come this season, as Queensland’s next crop of stars make their mark on the sport.”

In total, 26 awards were handed out at the 2023 TAB Queensland Thoroughbred Awards at the Royal International Convention Centre earlier this evening.