2020 Gold Coast Racing Industry Awards
Last weekend, Saturday the 12th of September we held our annual Gold Coast Racing Industry Awards. The scaled-back event was a huge success, being held with an intimate few on the Gold Coast’s Premiership Raceday. It didn’t come without its challenges but we congratulate all on a successful 2019/2020 racing season and a special mention to our award winners below;
Leading jockey Dan Griffin claimed his 10th GCTC Jockey Premiership win and was inducted as the very first Gold Coast Turf Club Immortal. With 28 winners this season and nearly 600 winners in his riding career at the Gold Coast, Dan announced his retirement. Griffin hopes to eventually find a role in racing in his retirement but will take some time off to let his body recover from life in the saddle, and we wish him all the very best.
We also acknowledged the continued success of Associates Magic Millions by inducting them into the GCTC Hall of Fame. Complementing the Magic Millions Yearling Sale Series, the Magic Millions $11 million plus Race Series was a world-first concept that has been developed to make the Gold Coast Raceday one of Australia’s richest, and indeed one of the top ten richest race meetings in the world. The atmosphere created by the Carnival is an unmistakably unique celebration of the Gold Coast region.
Leah Kilner and Baylee Nothdurft both tied on 10 wins for the GCTC Apprentice Jockey Premiership. Leah set an early lead but was hindered by the Covid-19 restrictions which prevented her from travelling from New South Wales. Baylee made a late run for the premiership during the month of June before an injury ended his run.
Toby & Trent Edmonds took out the GCTC Trainer Premiership with 35 Gold Coast winners this season. The local stable continues to grow in numbers and success, Toby started out on the Gold Coast approx. 10 years ago with a team of 15 horses. Now Edmonds Racing is one of the biggest stables in Queensland with nearly 90 horses in work. This is the second premiership for Toby following on from his 2015 /2016 success but a first for the newly formed father & son partnership.
Premiership Horse – Calculated on a points basis accrued by horses racing at the Gold Coast Sea Raider took out the award by winning four of its six starts at the Gold Coast between January and June.
Feature Horse of the Year – Away Game won the Magic Millions, including the Women’s Bonus. Other notable performances from the Filly include;
- Won the Calaway Gal at Doomben
- Won the Widden Stakes
- Won the Percy Stakes
Horse of the Year (monthly winners) – Freddie Fox Trot was awarded horse of the month in February after winning an Open handicap by 4L. Other notable performances included;
- 2nd to eventual Eyeliner Winner Bandipur in a 1200m Open Handicap at the Gold Coast.
- Won a 1200m Benchmark 92 at the Gold Coast, defeating Silk Stocking and Dane Ripper winner Love You Lucy
- Won a 1300m Open Handicap defeating Grey Missile.
