Hunter Valley Thoroughbred Breeders Association Award Winners

15 May 14

The 23rd annual HTBA Awards held on 14 May 2014 celebrates the achievements of Champion Thoroughbreds and Breeders based in the Hunter Valley - Australia’s Horse Capital.

Very competitive fields of both breeders and thoroughbreds across all award categories vied for top honours.

HTBA Champion 2 year-old colt category, went to VRC Sires Produce winner, Zululand breeder - Kia Ora Stud.

HTBA Champion 2 year-old filly category went to unbeaten Earthquake by Darley’s sire Exceed and Excel. She won the G1 Blue Diamond.

HTBA Champion 3 year-old colt went to Group 1 winner, Dissident, son of champion Sebring, bred by Widden Stud, Mr R Hamer and Mr T Burnett.

HTBA Champion 3 year-old filly went to Darley’s four times Group 1 winner, Guelph, another daughter of champion stallion Exceed and Excel.

HTBA Champion Racehorse was hotly contested but ultimately went to Lankan Rupee, winner of the TJ Stakes, Newmarket Handicap, Oakleigh Plate and Coolmore Stud Stakes bred and raced by Teeley Assets Ltd, just infront of multiple Group 1 winners Atlantic Jewel bred by GJ Perry and in third place was Appearance bred by Darley.

HTBA Champion Sire category was another strongly contested event. Champion Sire Redoute’s Choice took out the category. Sire of 100 stakes winners, 24 Group 1 winners, two new classics winners, earning prize money of over $10 million, standing at Arrowfield. Darley’s 2012-13 Champion Sire Exceed And Excel was runner-up while Coolmore’s 2011-12 Champion Sire Fastnet Rock was third. Both placegetters are sires of multiple Group 1 Champions and earned prizemoney of $9.3m and $9.2m respectively.

HTBA Champion First Season Sire was awarded to brilliant sprinter I Am Invincible standing at Yarraman Park. By Group 1 winning sprinter and Champion European sire Invincible Spirit, five time winner I Am Invincible has sired 12 winners to date including Group and Stakes winners Vinnie Eagle, Fuld’s Bet, Brazen Beau and Bassillique.

HTBA Champion Broodmare was awarded to the well-bred Zabeel mare Regard, dam of 10 time winner, champion Atlantic Jewel and Group 1 and multiple Stakes winner Commanding Jewel. Regard was owned by Mr GJ Perry.