Antino (NZ) Named Queensland’s Horse of the Year

For the second year in a row, superstar NZB Ready to Run Sale graduate Antino (NZ) (Redwood) has been named Queensland’s Horse of the Year. 

Antino was bought for just $27,000 from the 2020 Ready to Run Sale. He has had 29 starts for 13 wins, seven placings and A$3.29m in stakes – almost 140 times his purchase price.

The Tony Gollan-trained Antino earned his first Horse of the Year honour from a season that produced wins in the Group Two Victory Stakes (1200m) and Group Three Sandown Stakes (1500m) alongside placings in the Group One Toorak Handicap (1600m) and Group Two Crystal Mile (1600m).

Antino took his career to an all-new level in the 2024-25 season, starting with a first Group One prize courtesy of a six-length demolition in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield in October of last year. He later added the Group Two Hollindale Stakes (1800m) by three and a half lengths and the Group One Doomben Cup (2000m) by four lengths. Antino also placed in last season’s Group One Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), Group One Champions Mile (1600m) and Group Two Feehan Stakes (1600m).

“He's our stable champion and I'm really pleased for him to be Queensland champion again,” Gollan said. “The way he can hold his speed for longer periods than any other horse I've trained makes him pretty special.”

The 2025 edition of the Ready to Run Sale will take place at the Karaka Sales Centre from 10am (NZT) on Wednesday 12 & Thursday 13 November. Breeze Ups will be held at Te Rapa Racecourse on Monday 20 & Tuesday 21 October.