Trying to get the CD Racing Awards evening underway was about as difficult and frustrating as the season itself due to the ongoing COVID restrictions. The evening was eventually cancelled due to hospitality restriction, so an online version was the best option we have.
Owner/Trainer of the Year (wins)
R Connors (10 wins) Raymond was pipped at the post last year by uncle Neil but bounced back this year to take the award he has dominated in recent years
Jockey of the year (wins)
L Hemi (34 wins) Leah had a great season to take out the Jockeys title for the first time. Her feature win was the Group 3 Little Avondale Lowland Stakes about the locally trained Lanacord
Trainer of the Year (wins)
L Latta (36 wins) Lisa has owned this title for a number of years. While not her best season there were many Group and Listed results that kept the stable to the fore
Broodmare of the year
Minnaleo – dam of Lions Roar (G1 Randwick Guineas) P G Gillespie – breeding a Group winning horse is a great achievement, especially in Australia. Lions Roar was by Contributor and also ran 2nd in the Spring Championship Stakes and 3rd in the Australian Derby
Jumper of the Year
Mesmerise – 1st PJR Waikato Steeples (2021) Trainer by Raymond Connors, Mesmerise kicked the 2021 jumping year with a good win in the Waikato Steeples. The disrupted programme also saw him place in the Hawkes Bay Steeples
Owner of the Year
Mrs L E Elliot, Mrs J Ker & Y J Ker – Rock on Wood – 1st G1 Captain Cook Stakes. This was very much a family affair that produced some great results
Jockey of the year
Shaun Fannin (16 wins @ 3.63 strikerate) Wins included – 2020 Great Northern Steeplechase (Magic Wonder) 2020 Awapuni Hurdle (Aigne) 2020 Manawatu Steeplechase (Game Percy) 2020 Waikato Steeplchase (It’s A Wonder) 2021 Waikato Steeplechase (Mesmerise) 2021 Wellington Steeplechase @HB (Yardarm) Shaun had a fantastic season with numerous feature wins (as listed) and a strike rate that was second to none
Trainer of the Year
Benner/Wynyard – 1st G1 Levin Classic Bonham, 2nd G2 Wellington Guineas Bonham (2nd), 1st Lstd WRC Lightning Handicap Grand Mayson. Jonno and Hollie produce a constant stream of winners and Bonhams G1 Levin Classic win was a highlight of the season. The finished the season with 28 winners
Horse of the Year
Rock on Wood– 1st G1 Captain Cook Stakes – Winner of the 2020/21 season was the ill-fated Rock on Wood. He kicked the season off with a fast finishing 2nd in the G3 Red Badge Spring Sprint before taking out the Bulls Country Cup and then the G1 Rydges Captain Cook Stakes in emphatic style. He was then a luckless 4th in the G1 Zabeel Classic before pulling up in the G1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile.