The awards were flooding in for the best in the business

2023 has been another fantastic year for the Australian fraternity, with a whole host of epic encounters being indulged in by punters and online betting alike. 

At the end of a memorable campaign, the biggest and best in the business saw their efforts recognised at a showcase gala for Australian horse racing in Perth. 

The Australian Horse Racing Awards may not carry too much weight from a betting perspective, but they are always monitored by both punters and Aussie bookmakers. 

Receiving the accolades of being the champion jockey, trainer, or horse in any given category, gives the respective winner a sense of gravitas for their efforts within a calendar year and it always goes to a deserving recipient. 

Australian Racehorse of the Year - Anamoe 

It has been another incredible year of racing in Australia, with a whole host of big-name horses putting in memorable performances, in the biggest contests on the calendar. 
 
Whilst the Melbourne Cup is always the most watched contest of the year, it was the Cox Plate that provided the most drama in both 2022 and 2023.  
 
Anamoe prevailed in an incredible contest in 2022, coming out on top from the likes of I’m Thunderstruck and Zaaki, clinching the biggest win of an already illustrious career. 
 
However, Anamoe wasn’t content there, collecting an incredible 5 Group 1 race wins in total over the course of the past 12 months and at just 4 years of age, the future looks to be very bright for Anamoe. 
 
In receiving the award, both trainer James Cummings and jockey James McDonald were waxing lyrically over the potential with Anamoe and punters will be hoping to see many betting returns from Anamoe in the future.  
 
Champion Trainer – Chris Waller 

Hailing from humble beginnings, Kiwi trainer Chris Waller has become one of the most prolific operators in the business and he has enjoyed an incredible year in 2023. 
 
Pinpointing his most successful horses is no easy task, with the likes of Fangirl, Shinzo and Montefilia all returning Group 1 successes for him in 2023. 
 
Perhaps the most exciting element for Chris Waller too, is the potential he clearly has in the paddock and his reputation as a horse race trainer is at an all-time high.  
 
The likes of Riff Rocket, Soulcombe and Princess Grace all look to have the potential to kick on from impressive showings this season and the future does appear to be very bright for the Chris Waller racing yard.  
 
Champion Jockey – James McDonald 

Big races need big jockeys and few in the world are as prolific and reliable as James McDonald. 
 
It is easy to forget that ‘J-Mac’ is only 31 years of age, such is the length of time that he has been producing results for punters with various online betting sites and he was once again the man to stop in 2023. 
 
Winning races has always been the key currency that James McDonald has dealt in, and he has picked up some notable triumphs in 2023. 
 
Seven Group 1 race wins in the calendar year is representative of just how prolific James McDonald has been this season and he is a worthy winner of the 2023 Champion Jockey prize.

As the calendar moves towards 2024, reflecting on the triumphs of 2023 has been on the agenda for those in the world of Australian horse racing. 
 
With gongs going to champion horse Anamoe, trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald, some of the very best in the country have been recognised for their efforts this season.