Libran, owned by Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, was recently crowned the New South Wales Champion Stayer of the year, after an impressive first season in Australia.
The five-year-old gelding,
winner of the Group 2 Chairman's Cup and a gallant second in the Group 1 Sydney
Cup, was voted the winner over smart performer Gallante and stable companion
Who Shot Thebarman. This was Highclere's second nomination at the awards,
with Opinion nominated for the same award last year.
Opinion, the original flag bearer for Highclere Australia, brought the perfect finale to his racing career when landing the Stayers Cup at Randwick in course record time two months ago.
His win continued the good run for Highclere, with a 40% strike rate for Highclere Australia horses this year and over AU$800,000 earned in prize money. Other Highclere Australia horses include the John Hawke's trained Knighthood , who followed up his debut win with a credible third place finish on Friday, Pageantry a daughter of I am Invincible with Lee Freedman, and exciting new recruit Regal Monarch .
Regal Monarch will follow in the hoof prints of Libran and soon join the yard of Chris Waller from the UK. The consistent three-year-old son of Notnowcato capped off a very successful season when finishing second in the highly competitive Melrose Handicap at the Ebor Festival at York, the same meeting where Libran proved victorious a year ago. Previously under the care of Mark Johnston, Regal Monarch was a winner of four of his eight outings this year, never finishing out of the top three placings.
The Regal Monarch syndicate is sure to be an exciting venture for any new owners wishing to get involved in Australian racing.
For more information about Highclere Australia syndicates please visit www.highclereracing.co.uk or call Niall Power 0417 240 262 or Mark Player 0415 497 787.
Harry Herbert, Chairman of HTR, commented:
"I am absolutely thrilled that Libran has won the NSW Stayer of the Year, the whole team are over the moon. I would like to thank our jockey Brenton Avdulla, who has partnered Libran in all his starts, plus Chris and all his staff. Libran's success this year is a reflection of all their hard work and care, and we look forward with huge excitement to 2017."
"This award proves once again how European horses can flourish in the Southern Hemisphere. Regal Monarch will follow a similar path to Libran and join Chris as part of our expanding operation in Australia."
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