Millwood Nike named Horse of the Year

With a career record of 17 wins from 17 starts, Millwood Nike (Captaintreacherous) has been named Harness Racing New Zealand’s Horse of the Year.

In 2023 the mare had the perfect record of nine from nine, winning her connections $362,091.

Earlier she had got the nod as Pacer of the Year, eclipsing the likes of Self Asssured, Akuta and Merlin.

Trotter of the Year went to Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son), who won seven from 15 in 2023 (and stakes of $374,472), ahead of Muscle Mountain.

A packed out crowd of 300 were on hand at Addington Raceway on Monday night to celebrate the best of the best in 2023.

The night’s winners are :

Emblems NZ 2YO Trotting Filly Of The Year – Empire City (Volstead)
Downbytheseaside 2YO Pacing Filly Of The Year – Coastal Babe (Downbytheseaside)
Clarkson Signs 2YO Trotting Colt or Gelding Of The Year – Tyron Eros (Majestic Son)
Tyre General 2YO Pacing Colt or Gelding Of The Year – Chase A Dream (Captaintreacherous)

The Cruickshank Family Leading UDR Junior driver – Carter Dalgety (2023 – 245 starts, 45 wins, UDR of .3016)

The Commodore Hotel 3YO Trotting Filly Of The Year – Sunnys Sister (Majestic Son)
Cambridge Raceway 3YO Pacing Filly Of The Year – Millwood Nike (Captaintreacherous)
Dunstan Horse Feeds 3YO Trotting Colt or Gelding Of The Year – Lovemeto (What The Hill)
Renwick Farms 3YO Pacing Colt or Gelding Of The Year – Merlin (Art Major)

Gavelhouse Newcomer to Training – Matthew Williamson  (2023 – 270 starts – 18 wins – $259,504 in stakes)

Garrards Horse & Hound 4YO Trotting Mare Of The Year -Double Delight (Captaintreacherous)
Breckon Farms 4YO Pacing Mare Of The Year – Lady Of The Light (Bettor’s Delight)
Raceform 4YO Trotting Entire or Gelding Of The Year – Mystic Max (Village Mystic)
www.hrnz.co.nz 4YO Pacing Entire or Gelding Of The Year – Akuta (Bettor’s Delight)

Future Wealth Stablehand of the Year – Daniel Anderson (works for Brett Gray, Invercargill)

What The Hill 5YO & Older Trotting Mare Of The Year – Resolve (Andover Hall)
Kentuckiana Lodge 5YO & Older Pacing Mare Of The Year -Manhattan (Bettor’s Delight)
NZ Horse Ambulance Trust 5YO & Older Trotting Entire or Gelding Of The Year – Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son)
Harness Life 5YO & Older Pacing Entire or Gelding Of The Year – Self Assured (Bettor’s Delight)

Stevie Golding at Harcourts Best Moment of the Season – Dreams Are Free winning at Winton on November 19

Dinner Break :

Hero Contribution to Life after Racing – Michelle Morrison

TAB Cadet of the year – Carter Dalgety (Runner up – Wilson House)

The Breeders Trotting Broodmare Of The Year – Now’s The Moment
The Breeders Pacing Broodmare Of The Year – Start Dreaming
The Breeders Breeder of the Year – Studholme Bloodstock

Majestic Horse Floats Trotting Stallion Of The Year – Majestic Son

Auckland Trotting Club Pacing Stallion Of The Year – Bettor’s Delight

Raceway Owner of the Year – Estate Ian Dobson

Southern Harness Junior Driver of the Year – Sarah O’Reilly (2023 – 697 starts – 78 wins)

TAB Driver of the Year – Blair Orange  (2023 – 1043 starts – 162 wins)

Harnesslink Trainer of the Year – Robert and Jenna Dunn (2023 – 782 starts – 115 wins)

IRT Trotter of Year – Oscar Bonavena (Majestic Son)

Diamond Racing Pacer of Year – Millwood Nike (Captaintreacherous)

Recognition awards – Nigel Armstrong and Craig Wiggins

Industry Golf Unsung Heroes – Dave McGowan, Martin Wrigley and Lionel Sinnamon

NZB Airfreight Horse of the Year – Millwood Nike (Captaintreacherous)

From Harness Racing New Zealand