Over 1200 people witnessed Victorian racing’s
night of nights at Crown Palladium on July 30 —
for the first time three big events combined to
make for a memorable evening.

First up were the second round of inductees to Australia’s
Racing Hall of Fame, twenty famous names from Jim Pike
to Sunline honoured with banners, speeches and
applause.

Special guests were aplenty — guests thrilled to see the
likes of Mick Dittman, Bob Hoysted, Angus Armanasco
and George Hanlon take part in the ceremony.

2002 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
HORSES
Manikato
Might and Power
Rising Fast
Sunline
Wakeful

JOCKEYS
Mick Dittman
Billy Cook
Bobby Lewis
Jim Pike
Neville Sellwood

ASSOCIATES
Sol Green (bookmaker/owner — for more information see page 35)
Theo Green (trainer of apprentice jockeys)
Ken Howard (racecaller)
James White (owner/breeder)
Wootton Family (owner/breeders)

TRAINERS
Angus Armanasco
Etienne de Mestre
Fred Hoysted
Maurice McCarten
George Hanlon

A controversial Horse of the Year award was a highlight
of the night — for the third consecutive year the honour
going to the mighty Sunline. Despite many feeling that
Ethereal and Northerly were worthy rivals to the
champion, Sunline was a clear winner with 62.5 votes to
Ethereal’s 53 and Northerly’s 42.5. Caulfield Guineas
winner Lonhro also snared one vote, these votes cast by
representatives of Australia’s Principal Race Clubs and
members of the Australian Racing Writers Association.

Sunline was also voted the Champion Filly/Mare of the
season whilst Northerly (Champion Middle Distance
galloper) and Ethereal (Champion Stayer) were not left
out of the mix.

Meanwhile the Champion 2Y0 award went to the
outstanding filly Victory Vein whilst fellow Sydneysider
Lonhro was named the Champion 3Y0.

For the second year in a row Falvelon, who has now twice
represented Australia with big wins in Hong Kong, was
crowned Champion Sprinter and he also took out the
inaugural Champion International Performer award.

The Sunline team, Greg Childs, Trevor McKee, Thayne Green and Steve McKee, at the Horse of the Year
press conference.

Another horse who showed off Australian form overseas
was the popular St Steven and he was overwhelmingly
voted the season’s Champion Jumper.

Other awards announced on the night went to Damien
Oliver (Champion Group One Jockey), Gai Waterhouse
(Champion Group One Trainer) and Badger’s Wood
(Australia’s Most Popular Racehorse). The third part of the
evening was devoted to Sheila Laxon, who was named
the Australian Racing Writers Association’s Personality of
the Year.

HORSE OF THE YEAR AWARDS
SUMMARY
CHAMPION RACEHORSE: Sunline
CHAMPION 2YO: Victory Vein