Northerly Named Australia Horse of the Year

Northerly, who won the Cox Plate (Aust-I) and Caulfield Cup (Aust-I) was named Australia's Horse of the Year for 2003 at a dinner at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne.

Northerly polled 132 of a possible 159 votes from senior racing administrators and members of the media to convincingly defeat his only rival for the title, Lonhro.

Northerly started 14 times during the season for seven wins and three seconds and earned more than $5.5 million.

Northerly was also named Vinery Stud champion middle distance horse and won the Magic Millions Bloodstock most popular racehorse award which is decided by a public vote.

Sydney sprinter Choisir was acknowledged for his recent outstanding performances in England by being named IRT champion international performer.

Completing the international flavor was the win by Irish stayer Media Puzzle, named Sport 927 champion stayer for his win in the Melbourne Cup (Aust-I).

While Lonhro failed to win an award, his trainer John Hawkes and regular rider Darren Beadman accepted awards for the champion group I trainer and jockey respectively.

The complete list of award winners:

Horse of the Year: NORTHERLY
Yallambee Stud champion 2-year-old: HASNA
New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing champion 3-year-old: HELENUS
Seppelt Wines champion sprinter: YELL
Vinery Stud champion middle distance: NORTHERLY
Sport 927 champion stayer: MEDIA PUZZLE
IRT Champion international performer: CHOISIR
Magic Millions Bloodstock most popular racehorse: NORTHERLY
Executive Thoroughbred Travel racing personality of the year: DAMIEN OLIVER
Feraud Paris champion group I jockey: DARREN BEADMAN
New Zealand Bloodstock champion group I trainer: JOHN HAWKES