Wonder filly Amelia’s Jewel has added a new victory to her stellar career by winning the Racehorse of the Year title at the WA Thoroughbred Racing Awards this evening.
She also claimed the Three-Year-Old Racehorse of the Year award, topping off a season highlighted by wins in the Group 1 Northerly, Group 2 WA Guineas and a nail-biting second in the $4 million Quokka.
The champion daughter of Siyouni, now a four-year-old, is seeking further success during her eastern states campaign but in the meantime her owner Peter Walsh won the gong as the season’s leading breeder under Amelia Park Racing and Breeding.
Top trainer Daniel Morton’s talented duo, Super Smink and Kissonallforcheeks, won two-year-old and four-year-old Racehorse of the Year.
Adam Durrant, named Leading State Trainer, finished the season in style after producing wins in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes and the listed Carbine Club of WA Stakes, Belmont Oaks and Belmont Classic, while Leading Metropolitan Trainer went to Neville Parnham for his 59 season wins.
The Wizard, William Pike, won Leading State and Metropolitan Jockey after a remarkable 165 wins, with his outstanding record including the Group 2 WATC Derby and Group 3 Northam Stakes, La Trice Classic and The Gold Rush.
Apprentice jockeys Brayden Gaerth and Holly Watson took home the Leading State and Leading Metropolitan Apprentice Jockey awards respectively.
Playing God overtook the legendary Blackfriars as Leading Sire, while Bumbasina was acknowledged as Leading Broodmare.
The new WA Spirit of Racing Award was given to dual recipients Julie Mitchell for her long-standing support for racing participants and horses, and to Ross and Tammy Price who opened their private property to trainers during the Bunbury redevelopment.
Chief Executive Officer Ian Edwards congratulated the winners and commended the thoroughbred racing community for their efforts.
“Tonight, we have celebrated exceptional performance across metropolitan and provincial racing during a magnificent season which included new and innovative racing opportunities,” Ian said.
“The talent and dedication of the thoroughbred community continues to elevate WA racing each year and everyone involved should be very proud of their achievements.
“I congratulate all of tonight’s award winners and I am particularly proud to present the first-ever WA Spirit of Racing Awards to those who have shown outstanding commitment to thoroughbred racing.”
The 2022/23 Thoroughbred of the Year Awards were attended by around 260 guests at the Ritz Carlton, Perth.
2022/23 Award Winners:
• WA Racehorse of the Year: Amelia’s Jewel
• 2YO Racehorse of the Year: Super Smink
• 3YO Racehorse of the Year: Amelia’s Jewel
• 4UP Racehorse of the Year: Kissonallforcheeks
• Leading Metropolitan Trainer: Neville Parnham
• Leading State Trainer: Adam Durrant
• Leading State and Metropolitan Jockey: William Pike
• Leading State Apprentice Jockey: Brayden Gaerth
• Leading Metropolitan Apprentice Jockey: Holly Watson
• Leading Sire: Playing God
• Leading Broodmare: Bumbasina
• Leading Breeder: Amelia Park Racing and Breeding
• WA Spirit of Racing: Julie Mitchell, Ross and Tammy Price
