Mercedes Awards
The Mercedes Thoroughbred Racing Awards were first held in 1991 and are held annually to recognise New
Zealand's top performers both equine and human in the previous year. Each winner receives a beautiful bronze
trophy, awarded perpetually and designed by the internationally renowned sculptor Gerrard McCabe.
The Awards ceremony is one of New Zealand racing's most prestigious events when racing's biggest stars
gather to recognise each other's outstanding achievements. The 2009 Awards took take place in Christchurch on August 7th at the Air Force Museum.
Of the 20 Awards presented on the night, the most prestigious is the Horse of the Year Award, given to the
horse judged to have been the best performer of the season.
2008/09 Winners
| Award |
Winner |
| Mercedes Champion Two Year Old |
The Heckler |
| Mercedes Champion Three Year Old |
Daffodil |
| Mercedes Champion Sprinter |
Mufhasa |
| Mercedes Champion Middle Distance Horse |
Princess Coup |
| Mercedes Champion Stayer |
Nom Du Jeu |
| Mercedes Champion Jumper |
Hypnotize |
| Centaine Award |
O'Reilly |
| Dewar Stallion of the Year |
Zabeel |
| Grosvenor Stallion of the Year |
Volksraad |
| Mercedes Broodmare of the Year |
Gussy Godiva |
| New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year |
Daffodil |
| Mercedes People's Choice Award |
Mufhasa |
| Mercedes Breeder of the Year |
Garry Chittick |
| Mercedes Owner of the Year |
David, Natalie & Simon Archer & Diane Wright |
| Mercedes Media Award |
Steve Davis |
| Dunstan Trainer of the Year |
Mark Walker |
| McBeath Apprentice Jockey of the Year |
James McDonald |
| Mercedes Jockey of the Year |
James McDonald |
| Mercedes Jumps Jockey of the Year |
Jo Rathbone |
| Mercedes Award for Outstanding Contribution to Racing |
Ron Williamson |
| MERCEDES HORSE OF THE YEAR |
Mufhasa |
2007/08 Winners
| Award |
Winner |
| Mercedes Champion Two Year Old |
Il Quello Veloce |
| Mercedes Champion Three Year Old |
Alamosa |
| Mercedes Champion Sprinter |
Seachange |
| Mercedes Champion Middle Distance Horse |
Princess Coup |
| Mercedes Champion Stayer |
Princess Coup |
| Mercedes Champion Jumper |
Hypnotize |
| Dewar Stallion of the Year |
O’Reilly |
| Grosvenor Stallion of the Year |
O’Reilly |
| Mercedes Broodmare of the Year |
Just Cruising |
| New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year |
Insouciant |
| Mercedes People's Choice Award |
Seachange |
| Mercedes Breeder of the Year |
Scott Williams |
| Mercedes Owner of the Year |
Karreman Bloodstock |
| Mercedes Media Award |
David McCarthy |
| Dunstan Trainer of the Year |
Michael Pitman |
| McBeath Apprentice Jockey of the Year |
James McDonald |
| Mercedes Jockey of the Year |
Michael Walker |
| Mercedes Jumps Jockey of the Year |
Isaac Lupton |
| Mercedes Award for Outstanding Contribution to Racing |
Herbie Dyke |
| MERCEDES HORSE OF THE YEAR |
Seachange |
2006/07 Winners
| Award |
Winner |
| Mercedes Champion Two Year Old |
Nightlign |
| Mercedes Champion Three Year Old |
Princess Coup |
| Mercedes Champion Sprinter |
Darci Brahma |
| Mercedes Champion Middle Distance Horse |
Sir Slick |
| Mercedes Champion Stayer |
Pentathon |
| Mercedes Champion Jumper |
Van Winkle |
| Dewar Stallion of the Year |
Zabeel |
| Grosvenor Stallion of the Year |
Volksraad |
| Mercedes Broodmare of the Year |
River Century |
| New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year |
Princess Coup |
| Mercedes People's Choice Award |
Sir Slick |
| Mercedes Breeder of the Year |
Garry Chittick |
| Mercedes Owner of the Year |
Karreman Bloodstock / Dick Karreman |
| Mercedes Media Award |
Aidan Rodley |
| Dunstan Trainer of the Year |
Mark Walker |
| McBeath Apprentice Jockey of the Year |
Troy Harris |
| Mercedes Jockey of the Year |
Opie Bosson |
| Mercedes Jumps Jockey of the Year |
Tommy Hazlett |
| Mercedes Award for Outstanding Contribution to Racing |
Sam Kelt |
| MERCEDES HORSE OF THE YEAR |
Seachange |
2005/06 Winners
| Award |
Winner |
| Mercedes Champion Two Year Old |
Jokers Wild |
| Mercedes Champion Three Year Old |
Darci Brahma |
| Mercedes Champion Weight For Age Performer |
Xcellent |
| Mercedes Champion Sprinter/Miler (1000m-1600m) |
Gee I Jane |
| Mercedes Champion Stayer (1700m+) |
Xcellent |
| Mercedes Champion Jumper |
Just The Man |
| Dewar Stallion of the Year |
Zabeel |
| Grosvenor Stallion of the Year |
Volksraad |
| Mercedes Broodmare of the Year |
Flying Floozie |
| New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year |
Shikoba |
| Mercedes Breeder of the Year |
Garry Chittick |
| Mercedes Owner of the Year |
Mrs Ann & The Estate of the Late Ken Browne |
| Mercedes Media Award |
Dennis Ryan |
| Dunstan Newcomer to Trainer |
Lance O'Sullivan |
| Dunstan Trainer of the Year |
Mark Walker |
| McBeath Apprentice Jockey of the Year |
Kelly Myers |
| Mercedes Jockey of the Year |
Lisa Cropp |
| Mercedes Jumps Jockey of the Year |
Jonathan Riddell |
| Mercedes Award for Outstanding Contribution to Racing |
Garry Chittick |
| MERCEDES HORSE OF THE YEAR |
Xcellent |
