Antino has solidified his status as the state’s premier thoroughbred, claiming a second consecutive Horse of the Year title at the 2025 Sportsbet Queensland Thoroughbred Awards.
The Tony Gollan-trained gelding produced a blistering spring campaign in Melbourne during the 2024/25 season, breaking through for his maiden Group 1 victory in unforgettable fashion via the Toorak Handicap, alongside placings in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes and Champions Mile.
The seven-year-old also finished third in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley, before returning north to claim the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes on the Gold Coast and a dominant Group 1 Doomben Cup victory as part of the 2025 Queensland Racing Carnival.
As a result, he was again named the Queensland 4YO and Older Horse of the Year at this afternoon’s Awards ceremony.
It was a day to remember for Gollan, who extended his reign as the state’s premier trainer, claiming the Jim Atkins Trainer of the Year Award for the 12th straight season.
Gollan saddled up 193 winners across the state, the most of any trainer, whilst also claiming the Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership with 134 victories.
To cap off the afternoon, the eight-time Group 1-winning trainer was also inducted into the Queensland Racing Hall of Fame for a career that has netted more than 2,000 victories.
Angela Jones was rewarded for her history-making season in the saddle, crowned the George Moore Queensland Jockey of the Year after becoming the first female hoop to win the Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership with 66 winners.
Rising star Emily Lang was named the Ken Russell Queensland Apprentice of the Year in a season that saw her notch 74.5 wins statewide, whilst also finishing only 2.5 wins behind Jones in the Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership.
Racing Minister Tim Mander was on hand to open the afternoon’s events and praised the efforts of the thoroughbred industry.
“As a proud Queenslander, it is fantastic to see our local stars light up the track both at home and on the national stage,” Minister Mander said.
“The Sportsbet Queensland Thoroughbred Awards is a fantastic opportunity to recognise the achievements of both human and equine participants in our sport.
“Congratulations to all winners, and also those who were nominated, as we celebrate another remarkable year of thoroughbred racing in Queensland.”
The Chris and Corey Munce-trained Cool Archie was crowned the 2YO Horse of the Year after a blistering five-race winning streak that culminated in Group 1 glory with the JJ Atkins.
The David Vandyke-trained Philia held out some strong competition from Spicy Martini and Give Me Space to claim the 3YO Horse of the Year, with four wins in a row being capped off by the Group 2 The Roses on Doomben Cup day.
Queensland’s first ever Melbourne Cup champion Knight’s Choice was rightfully awarded with the Darby McCarthy Performance of the Year gong, whilst Yellow Brick was named the QTIS Horse of the Year.
“Queensland racing continues to go from strength to strength, which was undoubtedly reflected in one of the strongest fields we have ever seen for the Horse of the Year Award,” Acting Racing Queensland CEO Lachlan Murray said.
“Antino claiming the top honour for the second straight year is thoroughly deserved following a remarkable showing in the Melbourne spring, before going to another level here at home throughout the Queensland Racing Carnival.
“Away from the track, it was great to be able to acknowledge the hard work of our QOTT Queensland Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year, Amanda Benson, and Darren Gough as our Stable Person of the Year.”
Gollan was joined in the Queensland Racing Hall of Fame by one of the state’s most iconic horses Chief De Beers, who was known as the ‘King of Doomben’ after taking out all 20 of his career wins at the venue, including the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 in 1995 and 1998.
Jockey Michael Pelling was also inducted for a career that included four Group 1 victories, a Melbourne Cup ride on Kingston Town, four Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premierships and more than 1,500 career wins.
The final inductee was Peter Howard of the Thoroughbred Racing History Association, for his vital contribution in preserving the history of racing in Queensland through his work at the Eagle Farm museum.
In total, more than 30 awards were handed out at the 2025 Sportsbet Queensland Thoroughbred Awards this afternoon.
2025 Sportsbet Queensland Thoroughbred Award winners
Major Awards
Sportsbet Queensland Thoroughbred Horse of the Year – Antino (Tony Gollan) Garrards Jim Atkins Queensland Trainer of the Year – Tony Gollan George Moore Queensland Jockey of the Year – Angela JonesKen Russell Queensland Apprentice of the Year – Emily Lang
Horses of the Year
Peak Marketing QTIS Horse of the Year – Yellow Brick (Tony & Maddysen Sears)Magic Millions Queensland 2YO Horse of the Year – Cool Archie (Chris & Corey Munce)Magic Millions Queensland 3YO Horse of the Year – Philia (David Vandyke)Brisbane Racing Club Queensland 4YO and Older Horse of the Year – Antino (Tony Gollan)
Premierships
Brisbane Racing Club Metropolitan Jockeys’ Premiership – Angela JonesBrisbane Racing Club Metropolitan Apprentice Premiership – Emily LangBrisbane Racing Club Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership – Tony Gollan Gold Coast Turf Club Provincial Jockeys’ Premiership – Justin Stanley Gold Coast Turf Club Provincial Apprentice Premiership – Jace McMurrayGold Coast Turf Club Provincial Trainers’ Premiership – Mark CurrieGold Coast Turf Club Provincial Horse of the Year – Hellish (Tom Button)Stanley River Thoroughbreds Country Premiership Jockey – Chloe LoweStanley River Thoroughbreds Country Apprentice Premiership – Chloe Lowe Stanley River Thoroughbreds Country Premiership Trainer – Tanya ParryStanley River Thoroughbreds Country Premiership Horse of the Year – Han Dynasty (Bevan Johnson)
Breeding
TBQA Queensland Stallion of the Year – Better Than ReadyTBQA Champion First Season Stallion – Prince FawazTBQA Champion 2YO Stallion – Spirit Of BoomTBQA Broodmare of the Year – Freezethemillions and Ready to Rule
Other Awards
Racing Queensland Student of the Year – Jade MetcalfeDarby McCarthy Performance of the Year – Knight’s ChoiceAmbassador Travel Stable Person of the Year – Darren GoughQOTT Queensland Acknowledged Retrainer of the Year – Amanda BensonWayne Wilson Medal – Sheila Laxon and John SymonsPat Duff Medal – Barry Lockwood
2025 Queensland Hall of Fame inductees
Chief De Beers (Horse)Michael Pelling (Jockey)Peter Howard (Associate)Tony Gollan (Trainer)