Debt Collector (NZ) (Thorn Park {Aus}), who posted six wins from as many appearances in 2016, was crowned Singapore Horse of the Year in ceremonies held Tuesday evening at the Fullerton Hotel.
In winning the final two legs of the local 3-year-old series–the Singapore 3YO Classic (1400m) and the Singapore Guineas (1600m) (video)–he was the clear choice for champion of his generation, while his powerful defeat of the anointed 4-year-old champion Well Done (NZ) (Falkirk {NZ}) in the Pansonic Kranji Mile (video) combined with the Guineas success earned Debt Collector the champion miler title as well. For good measure, he added the most improved horse award and the award for social media horse of the year.
Debt Collector was purchased by bloodstock agent Michael Wallace for NZ$30,000 from the draft of Windsor Park Stud at the 2014 New Zealand Bloodstock Select Yearling Sale and fetched NZ$120,000 from trainer Cliff Brown when consigned to the NZB Ready to Run Sale the following November. Debt Collector, last seen besting champion older horse Quechua (Arg) (Pure Prize) in the Raffles Cup (1800m) Oct. 30 (video), is owned by the Victorian-based Barree Stable of Glenn Whittenbury. A Shamexpress (NZ) half-sister to Debt Collector is consigned by Windsor Park as hip 356 to the upcoming NZB Premier Yearling Sale.
The Brown stable was also represented by Zac Spirit (Aus) (Flying Spur {Aus}), who earned his second champion sprinter title in the space of three years courtesy of a win in the Lion City Cup (video) last April. Zac Spirit was retired after chipping a knee last June.
Haras d'Etreham's Elusive City, who formerly shuttled to New Zealand, was represented by a pair of champions in the form of Dester Singapore Gold Cup hero Bahana (NZ) (stayer) and top Polytrack horse Spalato (NZ).
In the human categories, Manoel Nunes was named champion jockey for the third consecutive season, while Alwin Tan scooped his first champion trainer's title with 90 winners. He is the first local trainer to finish atop the standings since Charles Leck in 2003. Lim's Stable was the leading owner by number of victories and by number of stakes won.
2016 SINGAPORE RACING AWARDS
Horse of the Year, Ch. 3yo, Ch. Miler, Most Improved Horse & Social Media Horse of the Year
DEBT COLLECTOR (NZ) (Thorn Park {Aus})
Champion Older Horse
QUECHUA (ARG) (Pure Prize)
Champion Sprinter
ZAC SPIRIT (AUS) (Flying Spur {Aus})
Champion Stayer
BAHANA (NZ) (Elusive City)
Champion Polytrack Horse
SPALATO (NZ) (Elusive City)
Champion 4-Year-Old
WELL DONE (NZ) (Falkirk {NZ})
Champion 2-Year-Old
LIM'S RACER (NZ) (Red Giant)
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