Racing: Vosne Romanee takes Horse of Year

Vosne Romance (3), with jockey of the year Opie Bosson on board, took out the big one last night. Photo / Greg Bowker

Vosne Romanee was crowned horse of the year at New Zealand's annual Mercedes Thoroughbred Racing Awards for the 2009-10 season, held at the Ellerslie Events Centre last night.

Vosne Romanee captured 28 of a total 41 votes, defeating other Mercedes Awards category winner Katie Lee. Third was Monaco Consul and fourth equal Daffodil and Tavistock.

Vosne Romanee also won the Mercedes champion middle distance horse title.

Shaune Ritchie and Opie Bosson were the big winners in the "people" category. Ritchie was voted Dunstan Trainer of the Year in a relatively close vote from Mark Walker.

Opie Bosson received the trophy for Mercedes Jockey of the Year in a runaway vote over James McDonald.

Richard Eynon was Jumps Jockey of the Year with Jonathan Riddell runner-up.

Trackside TV presenter Brendan Popplewell won the media award.

Norm Holland took the prestigious Mercedes Contribution to Racing Award.

Breeder of the Year went to Windsor Park Stud (breeders of Monaco Consul and Military Move, Beauty Flash, Gold Onyx and Casabella Lane).

Champion New Zealand stallion Zabeel won another top honour last night when he was named Centaine Award winner.

The award was established in 2008-09 when it was won by O'Reilly, and is based on the sire whose New Zealand-conceived progeny have accumulated the highest stakes earnings worldwide for the season.

With worldwide progeny earnings of $10,161,878, Cambridge Stud's Zabeel took the award over Waikato Stud's O'Reilly.

Cambridge Stud proprietor Sir Patrick Hogan was delighted the 24-year-old sire had been recognised.

"He does not have a lot of time left and he deserves to be on the award, through the sheer fact that he has been distinguished in so many other awards in Australia and New Zealand," Sir Patrick said.

The Stallion of the Year award went to Volksraad, while Miss Jessie Jay, dam of Katie Lee and Banchee, won Broodmare of the Year.

NZ Bloodstock Filly of the Year went to Katie Lee.

McDonald took out the Apprentice Jockey of the Year award.

Mercedes Owner of the Year was taken out by Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan from Ian & Alana Smart Trust and Ms F B Crimmins & G A Nicholson.

Fair King beat out Kidunot and Yourtheman (equal runners-up) for Mercedes Champion Jumper.

Banchee was Champion 2-Year-Old, ahead of Cellarmaster and Nacho Man.

Katie Lee was Champion 3-Year-Old, beating out Monaco Consul.

Tavistock took the Mercedes Sprinter of the Year Award, with a near clean sweep of all votes. Mufhasa and Vonusti were second equal.

Red Ruler won the Mercedes Champion Stayer title ahead of Harris Tweed.

- Additional reporting by NZPA