ARCADIA QUEEN REIGNS AT THE 2021 WA THOROUGHBRED RACING AWARDS
Local royalty Arcadia Queen was crowned 2020/21 WA Racehorse of the Year at the WA Thoroughbred Awards this evening.
The six-year-old mare is also ruler of the realm for racehorses aged four years and up and her owners Bob and Sandra Peters won the top breeders’ award.
Veteran trainer Steve Wolfe capped his best-ever season when his stable stars Ex Sport Man won the two-year-old racehorse title and Watch Me Dance carried off the prize for three-year-olds.
Ex Sport Man notched up impressive wins including the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic and the Karrakatta Plate, while Watch Me Dance triumphed in the Group Two WA Guineas and Group Three Champion Fillies.
Top trainer Adam Durrant won the Leading Metropolitan and Provincial Trainer award with 67 wins for the racing season, including the Group Three Roma Cup won by Money Matters.
Champion rider Chris Parnham celebrated a phenomenal season by taking home the award for 2020/21 Leading Metropolitan and Provincial Jockey. His outstanding form showed in 201 national wins, including the Group One Kingston Town Classic on Truly Great.
Perth apprentice Laqdar Ramoly won Leading Metropolitan and Provincial Apprentice Jockey, with stats of 43 wins across the season, including a superb ride on Nerodio at the Beaufine Stakes.
Champion WA stallion Blackfriars was awarded Leading Sire, while Arcadia and Truly Special were recognised as Leading Broodmares.
South Western Times journalist Justin Fris was rewarded for his stellar reporting on thoroughbred racing with the 2021 Creative Technology Media Award.
Racing and Wagering Western Australia CEO Ian Edwards applauded the award winners and their commitment to the racing industry across the state.
“It’s been exciting to watch the tight contest of skill and talent at all levels of racing this season and I’m honoured to present awards to the brightest stars of the racing world,” Ian said.
“The award winners can feel very proud of their achievements and the vital role they play in thoroughbred racing in Western Australia.”
2020/21 WA Thoroughbred Award Winners:
- 2020/21 WA Racehorse of the Year – Arcadia Queen
- 2020/21 2YO Racehorse of the Year – Ex Sport Man
- 2020/21 3YO Racehorse of the Year – Watch Me Dance
- 2020/21 4UP Racehorse of the Year – Arcadia Queen
- 2020/21 Leading Metropolitan and Provincial Jockey – Chris Parnham
- 2020/21 Leading Metropolitan and Provincial Trainer – Adam Durrant
- 2020/21 Leading Metropolitan and Provincial Apprentice Jockey – Laqdar Ramoly
- 2020/21 Leading Sire – Blackfriars
- Leading Broodmares – Arcadia and Truly Special
- 2020/21 Leading Breeder – Peters Investments
- 2020/21 Creative Technology Thoroughbred Media Award – Justin Fris