Big winners at Victorian Breeding Awards

In a testament to his continued excellence, Written Tycoon was honoured for the ninth time as the IRT Champion Victorian Sire. His juveniles have once again delivered outstanding performances on the track, solidifying his status at the pinnacle of breeding success.

Based at Yulong Stud, Written Tycoon’s latest crop has been exceptional, producing three new Group 1 winners: Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot; Australian Guineas winner Southport Tycoon; and Velocious, an impressive New Zealand Group 1 winning two-year-old.

Nearly a decade after his retirement to stud, Toronado was named Racing Victoria VOBIS Sire of the Year once again.

Standing at Swettenham Stud, Toronado’s latest triumph came when Victor the Winner, trained by Danny Shum, claimed victory in the Group 1 Centenary Sprint Cup at Sha Tin, marking Toronado’s fifth Group 1-winning offspring.

Bella Nipotina was recognised as the Champion Victorian Bred Racehorse of the Year. The three-time Group 1 winner had an exceptional season, adding two more Group 1 victories at the age of six, making her accolade well-deserved.

However, the real surprise for owner-breeders Michael Christian and Siobhan Miller of Longwood Thoroughbred Farm was that Bella Nipotina’s achievements on the track also led to her dam, Bella Orfana, being honoured as this year’s Champion Victorian Broodmare.

The award was particularly emotional for the Millers, as Bella Orfana had passed away earlier in the year after a battle with cancer. Christian and Miller raised Bella Orfana as an orphan foal after the death of her own dam, Bella Inez, from colic. Bella Inez had been one of their first broodmares and held a special place in their hearts.

The Victorian base of Godolphin was honoured as Champion Victorian Breeder of the Year, highlighting the impact of Darley’s Australian operations, which has set a new standard in the industry.

Since its entry into the Australian breeding scene in 2003, Darley, established by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has become a cornerstone of the thoroughbred world. Initially starting with the acquisition of Kelvinside Stud in the Hunter Valley, Darley has expanded its presence with significant additions, including Northwood Park in Victoria and the acquisition of Ingham’s racing enterprises including Carbine Lodge at Flemington, Crown Lodge and Woodlands Stud. This expansion facilitated a shift towards a comprehensive breed-to-race and race-to-breed strategy, which has yielded remarkable results.

In addition to individual successes, Darley’s influence is further demonstrated by their sponsorship of major racing events, including the VRC Sprint Championship and other prestigious races. Their commitment to supporting high-calibre racing continues to drive excellence both on and off the track, reinforcing their status as a leading force in the thoroughbred industry. 

Rosemont Stud took home the Racing Victoria VOBIS Nominator of the Year Award, recognising Rosemont’s significant contributions to Victoria’s breeding landscape, particularly through the remarkable Shamus Award. 

Rosemont’s journey began with a modest start, but under the leadership of Anthony Mithen, the stud has grown into a prominent breeding operation. Mithen’s foresight in acquiring stallions like Shamus Award has been instrumental in Rosemont’s rise. Shamus Award, initially underestimated, has proven to be a standout sire, producing championGroup 1 winners suchincluding as Caulfield Cup winner Incentivise and TAB Australian Cup winnerstayer Duais.

Full list of winners  

Racing Victoria VOBIS Nominator of the Year – Rosemont Stud 

Racing Victoria VOBIS Sire of the Year – Toronado 

Racing Victoria VOBIS Horse of the Year – Miss Roumbini 

Inglis Champion Victorian Bred 2YO – Coleman 

Belmont Bloodstock Agency Champion Victorian Bred 3YO – Veight 

TAB Champion Victorian Bred Racehorse – Bella Nipotina 

Kentucky Equine Research & BARASTOC Leading Victorian Small Breeder – Des Pope & family 

TAB Champion Victorian Breeder – Godolphin 

Avenel Equine Hospital Champion Victorian Broodmare – Bella Orfana 

IRT Champion Victorian First Season Sire – Royal Meeting 

IRT Champion Victorian Sire – Written Tycoon 

Stud Staff Support Line Rising Star Award – Sophie Titter 

Inglis Service to the Industry Award – Dr Angus McKinnon OAM