Swayzee gets the crown!

Following a remarkable season New Zealand Cup winner Swayzee (Rock N Roll Heaven) has been crowned the 2023 New South Wales Horse of the Year.

Determined by a voting panel of harness racing media identities, Swayzee was unanimously voted in with the accolade receiving 100 per cent of the votes.

Swayzee won 10 of his 19 starts during the season, including the NZ Cup as well as the Australian Grand Circuit feature The Blacks A Fake Championship at Albion Park.

The gelding started his season in Queensland and was transferred to Jason Grimson midway through the year, making his debut for that stable in May 2023.

Swayzee had 12 starts for Grimson in 2023 where he secured all his wins for the season as well as placings in a Inter Dominion heat as well as the Grand Final.

Votes for Swayzee were also unanimous in the NSW Aged Entire/Gelding of the Year and NSW Aged Horse of the Year categories.

The 2023 NSW Horse of the Year Awards were presented at the Gallagher Harness Racing NSW Annual Awards at Menangle Country Club on Sunday March 3 and the other award winners included:

Two-Year-Old Trotter of the Year:

Maximus Meridius – 50 per cent of votes

Two-Year-Old Filly Pacer of the Year:

Lux Aeterna – 100 per cent of votes

Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Pacer of the Year:

Soho Spectre – 62.5 per cent of votes

NSW Two-Year-Old of the Year:

Lux Aeterna – 100 per cent of votes

Three-Year-Old Trotter of the Year:

London To A Brick – 100 per cent of the votes

Three-Year-Old Filly Pacer of the Year:

Eye Keep Smiling – 75 per cent of the votes

Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Pacer of the Year:

Better Be The Best – 87.5 per cent of the votes

NSW Three-Year-Old of the Year:

Better Be The Best – 87.5 per cent of the votes

Aged Trotter of the Year:

Majestic Trio – 87.5 per cent of the votes

Aged Mare Pacer of the Year:

Braeview Kelly – 100 per cent of the votes

NSW Owner of the Year

Belinda McCarthy

NSW Breeder of the Year

Success Stud

NSW Broodmare of the Year

Boldandbeautiful

NSW Sire of the Year

For A Reason

NSW Champion Junior Driver

Will Rixon

NSW Champion Driver

Cameron Hart

NSW Champion Trainer

Belinda McCarthy

TAB Kevin Newman Award for Driving Excellence

Chloe Formosa

The HRNSW Board would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the connections of the abovementioned horses and participants on their achievements last season in what was a notable season for NSW-trained, driven, owned and bred horses across Australasia.

HRNSW MEDIA CONTACT:

AMANDA RANDO | MEDIA LIAISON MANAGER

From Harness Racing New South Wales