Victory in the Group 1 Kings Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot in June capped a 2021/2022 season where Nature Strip took his tally of wins at the highest level to eight, and for those performances was crowned the Australian Racehorse of the Year for the second time.
Capturing The Everest last October, wins in the Darley Sprint Classic (1200m) at Flemington and the TJ Smith Stakes – both at Group 1 and over 1200 metres – helped Nature Strip take the Horse of the Year award over stablemate and 2021 Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant.
“I think he’s grown with confidence,” Waller said when accepting the trophy.
“We went over there (England) and sacrificed races here.
“It was a big deal.”
Chris Waller has dominated the award since 2016 with Winx taking it in four successive years followed by Nature Strip in 2020, Verry Elleegant in 2021 and now Nature Strip again.
Nature Strip was also awarded the Champion Sprinter Prize at the ceremony in Melbourne on Saturday for the third time running.
Verry Elleegant was named Champion Stayer while the Champion Group 1 Trainer and Champion Group 1 Jockey awards stayed ‘in house’ as such with Chris Waller and James Mcdonald named for those awards respectively.
Of the other awards, Godolphin’s Anamoe was named Champion 3YO Colt or Gelding with five votes, 164 to 159, separating it and Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) winner Hitotsu.
After claiming the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick earlier in the day, Zaaki’s good day continued also taking the Champion Middle Distance Horse award.
2021 Queensland Oaks winner Gypsy Goddess was named the Champion 3YO Filly while Golden Slipper winner Fireburn notched Champion 2YO.
On the jumping scene, recent Grand National Hurdle winner Saunter Boy was awarded Champion Jumper.
