Imperatriz, others nominated for 2023/24 Australian Horse of the Year

Racing Australia and Racing South Australia announced their list of the six horses nominated for the 2023/24 Australian Horse of the Year award on Friday.  
 
Imperatriz, Mr. Brightside. Pride Of Jenni, Riff Rocket, and Without A Fight have all been nominated. Combined, the six horses won 17 Group 1 races and brought home over  $30 million in prize money during the 2023/24 horse racing season.  

Six impressive nominees announced 

With the 2023/24 horse racing season coming to an end, it is the time of the year where we take a break to honour the best gallopers from the season just passed.  
 
“Racing SA is delighted to be hosting the 2024 Horse of the Year awards ceremony in Adelaide,” Racing SA CEO Vaughn Lynch said.  
 
“The quality of the nominations across all categories highlights the fantastic performances that were achieved during the 2023-24 season,” he added.  
 
Imperatriz, Mr. Brightside. Pride Of Jenni, Riff Rocket, and Without A Fight are this year’s nominees for the Horse of the Year award.  
 
Here is a summary of these horse’s accomplishments this season: 

• Imperatriz: Six wins (five G1 wins), $5.26m prize money 
  
• Mr. Brightside: Five wins (four G1s), $5.24m prize money 
  
• Pride Of Jenni: Four wins, (three G1s), $8.23m prize money 
  
• Riff Rocket: Six wins (three G1s), $3.49m prize money 
  
• Without A Fight: two wins (two G1s), $8.26m prize money 

The six nominees were chosen by over 70 horse racing betting outfits, pro analysts, and members of the national racing media.  

Pride Of Jenni the favourite 

As you can see from the list above,  any of the six nominees would be a deserving winner. However, only one of these top thoroughbreds will receive the prestigious award at Morphettville next week.  
 
Right now, the betting sites think the winner will be Pride Of Jenni.  
 
The 7-year-old-mare became a lock to win the award after her strong performance at Randwick in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes last April. Pride Of Jenni won that race by an astonishing 30 lengths.  
 
Her run was labelled by some as one of the most impressive Group 1 races in Australian history. The race commentator at the time called Pride Of Jenni’s performance the “Run of the Century”. 
 
Barring some massive change of heart from several key voters, Pride Of Jenni should win the 2023/24 Australian Horse of the Year award this weekend. 

Other categories also announced 

The 2023/24 Australian Horse of the Year award finalists were not the only nominees announced this Friday.  
 
Racing Australia and Racing SA also announced the finalists for the Champion 2YO, Champion 3YO Colt/Gelding, Champion 3YO Filly, Champion Sprinter, Champion Middle Distance, Champion Stayer, and Champion Jumper awards.  
 
The winners of some other awards have already been announced. Trainer Chris Waller (G1 Trainer of the Year), jockey James McDonald (G1 Jockey of the Year), and sire I Am Invincible (Champion Sire) will all pick up their awards at the ceremony this weekend.