Mufhasa, at the grand age of eight and winner of over $3 million , was crowned Horse of the Year at New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s 2012 Horse of the Year Awards, held in Hamilton last night. Votes were overwhelmingly in his favour, totalling 37 of a possible 43. This is the second time Mufhasa has won the title following his win in 2010. Mufhasa won the Group One Futurity at Caulfield, Group One Westbury Stud Captain Cook Stakes at Wellington, Group One Toorak Handicap at Caulfield and Group One Makfi Challenge Stakes at Hastings.
Mufhasa was also named 2012 Champion Sprinter; Jimmy Choux, last year’s Horse of the Year, was crowned Champion Middle Distance Horse; Shez Sinsational. Champion Stayer; Warhorse, Champion Two-Year-Old; Silent Achiever, Champion Three-Year-Old; Planet Rock, New Zealand Bloodstock Champion Three Year Old Filly; and Ima Heroine, Champion Jumps Horse.
Retired Trainer, Trevor McKee ONZM, received the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Racing. Horses he has trained have been inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame, have been Timeform World Champion, Horse of the Year - both in New Zealand and Australia - and at the head of the ANZ Classification as well as crowned Australasia's All-time Leading Earner.
James McDonald was voted the Champion Jockey 2012; John Sargent, the Dunstan Champion Trainer; Richard Cully, Champion Jumps Jockey; and Jason Collett, the McBeath Champion Apprentice Rider.
Piper Farm Ltd (Alex and Cecile Smith), breeders of So You Think and Now You Know, took the Breeder of the Year Award; and Triassic, dam of So You Think and Now You Know won the Broodmare of the Year for the second year running.
- NZTR
