After a hotly contested twelve months, the final five weeks determined the QTIS Premiers for the 2015/16 racing season.
John Zielke, Tony Sears, Royal Tithe and Too Good to Refuse were the outstanding QTIS performers over the past twelve months.
Sears and Zielke have each won complimentary entry into the 2017-18 Magic Millions Series for a yearling that they purchase at one of the 2017 Magic Millions Sales.
Zielke won the coveted title of 2yo QTIS Premiership Trainer on Earnings, banking a phenomenal $318,750 worth of QTIS bonus prizemoney (general prizemoney not included in these figures) for the season. Last year's Premier, Les Ross, was second with $230,400 and Krystle Johnston came in third, earning $154,440 in QTIS bonuses.
Zielke was helped along significantly by his two top
runners, Royal Tithe (by Show a Heart) and Spot the Diff (by Snitzel) who
placed first and second on the QTIS Premiership table for 2yos by Earnings.
Royal Tithe collected $165,000 in QTIS bonus prize money and Spot the Diff
earned $120,000. The Kelly Schweida trained Bagus (by Jet Spur) rounded out the
trifecta with $72,750.
"It's a big thrill to win something like this," said Zielke.
"After having ten years on the sideline, to win this in my first full year of training is an honour.
Zielke believes QTIS is a great concept for the Queensland industry and he targets the QTIS races. He has ten QTIS two year olds for the new season.
"Unfortunately I've also won lots of QTIS races with non-QTIS horses, but these owners have really seen the difference in the prize money and they're now planning to convert to QTIS horses."
It was also a phenomenal season for Toowoomba's Tony Sears. He took out the Toowoomba Trainer's Premiership for the second consecutive year, and being named the top QTIS 3yo Trainer is icing on the cake for Sears and his team.
"This is bloody terrific," chuckled a very thrilled Sears.
"We've had a couple of really good seasons, and this award just tops it off," he said.
Sears believes QTIS horses are a great return for your investment because you don't have to spend big to win big.
"I only buy QTIS horses, full stop," said Sears.
"I do get given horses that aren't QTIS, but I won't buy them if they're not QTIS. It's the only way you can survive, the bonus prize money is massive, there's no comparison."
Sears has some horses he is setting for the $10 million Magic Millions Raceday in January, and is thrilled to have a leg-up into the 2017-18 season.
"The Magic Millions series is great, you get a lot of big money races, so to be awarded this prize of entry into the series is just tremendous."
Sears has been hovering around the top of the 3yo table all season, but it wasn't until the final month that he knocked Krystle Johnston off her perch. Sears banked $153,900 in QTIS bonuses, with Johnston ending the season with $146,010. Last season's 3yo Premier, Tony Gollan was third with $135,300.
The Desleigh Forster trained Too Good to Refuse (by Rothesay) was the top QTIS earner for 3yos, collecting $87,500 for the season. Sold for Song (by Collate) who is trained by Kevin Kemp was only a length behind with $85,500 and Sears' Blue Desert Moon (by Monashee Mountain) was third with $82,000 in QTIS bonus prize money.
TBQA President, Basil Nolan thanked Magic Millions for their ongoing support of the QTIS Premiership.
"This is a highly sought after title and prize," said Mr Nolan.
"Congratulations to all our QTIS Premiers. It's fantastic to see that everyone who supports our Queensland industry can reap the rewards and be recognized for their efforts.
"We've managed to really share the spoils since this Premiership began four years ago, with different trainers winning each category each year.
"I'm sure everyone will be watching these QTIS statistics closely in the new racing season."
You can see the full results, and follow the statistics each month on the TBQA website www.queenslandbreeders.com.au
