Gollan and Antino Dominate Racing Awards

It was a night of coronations rather than surprises as Antino once again proved himself Queensland's benchmark performer, securing back-to-back Horse of the Year honours at the Queensland Thoroughbred Awards in Brisbane on Sunday. According to racenet.com.au, the Tony Gollan-trained gelding's 2024-25 season blended interstate excellence with home-track dominance, highlighted by his breakthrough Group 1 triumph in the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield and podium finishes in both the Makybe Diva Stakes and Champions Mile in Melbourne. The seven-year-old's spring campaign included a third in the Feehan Stakes before a triumphant return north to capture the Hollindale Stakes and a commanding Group 1 Doomben Cup victory during the Queensland Winter Carnival. His success added gloss to an extraordinary weekend for Gollan, who also celebrated Toorak Handicap glory in Melbourne on Saturday with Transatlantic. At Sunday's awards, Antino also retained his Queensland 4YO and Older Horse of the Year title, reinforcing his dominance across multiple categories. For Gollan, the evening marked another layer to an already distinguished résumé. The state's leading conditioner collected the Jim Atkins Trainer of the Year award for a record 12th consecutive season, capping a campaign that delivered 193 wins across Queensland, including 134 in metropolitan company. The nine-time Group 1-winning horseman also received Hall of Fame induction, recognition for surpassing the 2,000-win milestone and for a career that continues to define Queensland racing's modern era. "Queensland racing continues to go from strength to strength, which was undoubtedly reflected in one of the strongest fields we have ever seen for the Horse of the Year Award," Racing Queensland acting chief executive Lachlan Murray said. "Antino claiming the top honour for the second straight year is thoroughly deserved following a remarkable showing in the Melbourne spring, before going to another level here at home throughout the Queensland Racing Carnival." The ceremony also honoured emerging and established riding talent, with Angela Jones named the George Moore Queensland Jockey of the Year after becoming the first female to win the metropolitan jockeys' premiership with 66 victories. Rising star Emily Lang, who posted 74.5 wins statewide and finished just 2.5 behind Jones in the city standings, was crowned the Ken Russell Queensland Apprentice of the Year. Antino, by High Chaparral sire-son Redwood, was a $27,000 purchase at the 2020 NZB Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs. His earnings are $3.3 million.

Antino earned consecutive HOTY honours (pic: Grant Peters)