Rockhampton racing’s best celebrated at Gala Awards Evening.

The Rockhampton Jockey Club’s most outstanding performers of 2023-24 was celebrated on Saturday night at the Gala Awards evening at Callaghan Park. It was a fantastic evening that played host to RJC Gold Club members, RJC Members, Guests, and Racing Participants, with special guests David Salmon for TAB, comedian Paul Martell and Celeste Caught from A to Z music.

Award category results have thrown up some interesting statistics. Clint Taylor was a comfortable winner in the Trainer’s Premiership with 30 Rockhampton wins, nine more than runner-up Graeme Green, but Nick Walsh won the Best Winning Training Strike Rate with 29.1% winners to runners. Like Taylor, Justin Stanley, the stable’s number one rider, was a clear winner in the Jockey Premiership. Stanley had 37 winners and was 14 wins clear of nearest rival Warwick Satherley. With 14 victories, Tahlia Fenlon took out the Apprentice Jockey Title.

The Horse of the Year Award was much tighter with a great battle for honours between the Sileas Green-trained Dragon’s Snip and the Jason Morgan-trained Doubting Eye. Both won five Rockhampton races, but Dragon’s Snip had more starts and placings than Doubting Eye to win him the prize.

Doubting Eye’s strike rate was superior, a magnificent 71.43% compared to Dragon’s Snip’s 35.71%. There were also three horses all on four wins as well with Clinton Taylor’s Rockhampton Newmarket winner Honkytonk Diva finishing the year with an 80% winning strike and Jared Wehlow’s Pepperdine (66.67%). Dragon’s Snip (Hidden Dragon – Rainbow Snip) is raced by its breeders Greg and Elaine Sturgiss and the locally bred galloper also took out the Three-year-old Horse of the Year. The Graeme Green-trained Astra Star won the two-year-old Horse of the Year. Astra Star (Cosmic Force – Al Nova) is raced by Graeme Green, Ron and Bev White, and Maureen Olive.

Other well deserving award recipients were Troy Walsh (RJC Barrier Attendant of the Year) and Richard Meggs Hall (RJC Strapper of the Year). Jason Morgan was rewarded for his consistency with the Chas Jones Memorial Award. Morgan had tremendous success with Doubting Eye during the season saddling seven winners, and eleven minor placegetters from 34 starters.

It was a wonderful evening and a fitting celebration for a sensational year of Rockhampton racing. Congratulations to all the winners.