Dual Inter Dominion winner Beautide was crowned NSW Horse of the Year at the Harness Racing NSW Awards Night tonight in Sydney. The James Rattray trained gelding won his second successive Horse of the Year title joining recent winners Smoken Up and Lombo Pocket Watch as multiple title winners.
Beautide raced ten times in the 2014/15 season winning on five occasions and was placed a further three times. The son of Bettor's Delight won twice at Gr.1 level during the season after winning the Inter Dominion in March and the Coca Cola Amatil Sprint in November. Beautide was also placed second in the Miracle Mile and the Len Smith Mile, the two feature sprint races in Australia.
HRNSW CEO John Dumesny congratulated Beautide and his connections, singling out James Rattray for special praise.
"James has done a tremendous job with Beautide, every sport needs heroes and after winning his second Inter Dominion at Tabcorp Park Menangle I think Beautide has truly shown his status within the harness racing industry," Mr Dumesny said.
"I would like to take this chance to congratulate all of tonight's winners, it has been another great season of racing and these nights are important because while the participants are fierce rivals on the track, it is good to see them enjoying one another's company here at Doltone House."
Beautide has been nominated to defend his Inter Dominion title in Western Australia later this year and is expected to return to the trials in the next month. Trainer/driver James Rattray is hoping to give the eight-year old at least one run in NSW before heading to Perth.
Other awards winners
Arthur J Gallagher NSW Horse of the Year – Beautide
Garrards Horse & Hound NSW Aged Horse of the Year – Beautide
Garrards Horse & Hound NSW Aged Entire/Gelding of the Year – Beautide
Garrards Horse & Hound NSW Aged Mare of the Year – Frith
Garrards Horse & Hound NSW Aged Trotter of the Year – Flying Isa
IntelliTek NSW 3YO of the Year – Read About Lexy
NSW Harness Racing Club NSW 3YO Colt/Gelding of the Year – Kept Under Wraps
NSW Owners Association NSW 3YO Filly of the Year – Read About Lexy
Bulli Harness Racing Club NSW 3YO Trotter of the Year – Fiery Mountain Girl
IntelliTek NSW 2YO of the Year – Our Waikiki Beach
NSW Harness Racing Club NSW 2YO Colt/Gelding of the Year – Our Waikiki Beach
Albury Harness Racing Club NSW 2YO Filly of the Year – Hot Shot Woman
Bulli Harness Racing Club NSW 2YO Trotter of the Year – Parisian Chic
Greg Hayes