In a night of glitz and glamour before a huge crowd at Rosehill Gardens, outstanding jockey Hugh Bowman was awarded the inaugural Bart Cummings Medal at NSW Racehorse Owners Association's 'Racing's Night of Champions' while Danewin gelding Theseo took top honour as the Racehorse of the Year.The Bart Cummings Medal is the icing on the cake for Hugh Bowman in his finest ever season in Sydney, Hugh also taking home his first George Moore Award for winning the Sydney Jockeys' Premiership, finishing
In a night of glitz and glamour before a huge crowd at Rosehill Gardens, outstanding jockey Hugh Bowman was awarded the inaugural Bart Cummings Medal at NSW Racehorse Owners Association's 'Racing's Night of Champions' while Danewin gelding Theseo took top honour as the Racehorse of the Year.
The Bart Cummings Medal is the icing on the cake for Hugh Bowman in his finest ever season in Sydney, Hugh also taking home his first George Moore Award for winning the Sydney Jockeys' Premiership, finishing with 98 victories (Bowman was runner-up to Darren Beadman in the season 2004-05).
And with 149 wins overall in NSW, Hugh displaced perennial title holder Greg Ryan by just two in the State Premiership.
Hugh also made huge inroads with 14 wins at the elite level in Group and Listed events and scored NSW Group One victories on Daffodil (AJC Oaks) and Samantha Miss (Flight Stakes).
"Hugh Bowman has had a magnificent season and his win in Racing NSW's inaugural Bart Cummings Medal is thoroughly deserved," said Peter V'landys, chief executive for Racing NSW
"The Medal honours outstanding achievements in NSW racing and it is certain to be a highly sought-after award for years to come."
In other awards, Theseo was named the 'Luxbet.com NSW Champion Horse of the Year'.
This prestigious awards night, held at The Grand Pavilion at Rosehill Gardens, was in aid of Redkite - Australia's leading cancer support charity.
The award winners for the 2008/09 season were:-
LUXBET.COM NSW CHAMPION HORSE OF THE YEAR - Theseo
NSW 2YO OF THE YEAR - Manhattan Rain
NSW 3YO OF THE YEAR - Samantha Miss
NSW SPRINTER/MILER OF THE YEAR - Takeover Target
NSW MIDDLE-DISTANCE HORSE OF THE YEAR - Theseo
NSW STAYER OF THE YEAR - Zavite (NZ)
NSW COUNTRY CHAMPION HORSE OF THE YEAR - Takeover Target
NSW PROVINCIAL CHAMPION HORSE OF THE YEAR - Samantha Miss
NSWROA was delighted to present the Industry Recognition Award - a special award to honour an outstanding contribution made to the industry - to Mr Ian Craig
The crowd rose as one to applaud Ian, who recently retired from race calling after some 44 years service
Other awards to be presented on the night included the Queen of the Autumn Award (tied award Belong To Many and Hot Danish), and the NSW Broodmare of the Year (Shady Stream - dam of Takeover Target and Predatory Pricer).