Racing: Wahid to be recognised with award

Wahid

Racing authorities, under fire for their awards procedure, have created an extra award and given it to Wahid to recognise the gelding as a 2006 New Zealand champion.

The authorities have faced intense criticism from media and many industry figures over discrepancies in the voting procedure for the annual thoroughbred awards.

The new award was one of several recommendations accepted by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) which today released its report into the disputed annual racing awards.

There was an outcry after Darci Brahma was named the champion three-year-old and discrepancies were subsequently revealed in the voting procedure.

NZTR chairman Guy Sargent today said the award for Wahid was an additional award, not a joint award.

It was one of the recommendations of an independent report commissioned by NZTR's board to investigate the events surrounding the naming of Darci Brahma as the champion three-year-old.

"Both horses were worthy of the overall award, however, due to the miscommunication surrounding the process, it is only fair that an additional award be created this year and awarded to Wahid," Sargent said.

- NZPA