Baker, though, did not walk away from the night empty-handed, earning the Caryl Williamson NSW Racing Writers’ Personality of the Year honour. Baker was praised for his accessibility and his passion and enthusiasm for racing.
McDonald took home his ninth George Moore Award, and seventh in a row, for claiming the
Sydney jockeys’ premiership. He racked up 83 winners, nine ahead of second-placed Jason Collett.
‘He continues to raise the bar for excellence in our sport.’
Racing NSW CEO Peter V’landys on star trainer Chris Waller
Scone-based Braith Nock scored his first Theo Green Award as the leading Sydney apprentice. The former professional bull-rider had 40 winners in town, sparked by a summer loan stint with Peter Snowden at Randwick. Molly Bourke (24) and Anna Roper (23.5) were next best.
Leonard Todd, from the national premiership-winning Ciaron Maher stable, was named Sydney strapper of the year.
Joe Pride-trained King’s Secret was the BOBS horse of the year, making $73,125 in
BOBS bonuses from four victories.
In the NSW Racehorse Owners awards, Waller-trained Via Sistina, a seven-time group 1 winner last season, was named champion horse and middle distance galloper.
Another Waller star, Lady Shenandoah was champion three-year-old and Queen of the Autumn.
Other champions named were Michael Freedman-trained Golden Slipper victor Marhoona (two-year-old), Everest winner Bella Nipotina (sprinter), Pride-prepared Ceolwulf (miler), Baker star Arapaho (stayer), Matthew Dale’s Front Page (country horse) and unbeaten Everest hope Private Harry (provincial horse).