Kiwis Bag Titles at NSWROA Awards

The New Zealand suffix was to the fore at last night’s New South Wales Racing Owners Association Racing Night of Champions with Karaka graduate Famous Seamus (NZ) (Elusive City) and Kiwi-bred Criterion (NZ) (Sebring) both voted the top of their categories.

Famous Seamus (NZ) winning the Group 1 BTC Cup.

Group 1 winning sprinter Famous Seamus was named NSW Provincial Champion Horse of the Year for Hawkesbury trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith and owners James & Janice Simpson.

The NZ$70,000 Karaka Select Sale graduate triumphed in the Group 1 BTC Cup at Doomben this year, his maiden success at Group 1 level following four previous Listed wins. The son of Elusive City has won over A$770,000 in his career – 11 times his purchase price.

Famous Seamus nudged out New Zealand mare Lucia Valentina (NZ) (Savabeel), winner of the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes, for the accolade.

Fellow kiwi Criterion claimed the title of NSW Three-Year-Old of the Year for owner and breeder Sir Owen Glenn. Born at Blandford Lodge in Matamata, Criterion was victorious in two races at the elite level this season winning the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas and Group 1 Australian Derby.

The David Payne trained gelding prevailed in a hotly contested category that included dual Group 1 winners Guelph (Exceed and Excel) and Zoustar (Northern Meteor).

For more news and information from New Zealand Bloodstock visit www.nzb.co.nz.