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From Ciaron Maher’s maiden Cox Plate win to Twilight Payment cashing in at the Melbourne Cup, the highlights have come thick and fast in a frenetic and action-packed year of racing. Here is our Racing of the Year Awards for some of the leading highlights as well as some lowlights in an unforgettable year of racing in 2020.

 

 

Trainer of the Year – Ciaron Maher 

 

Champion trainer Ciaron Maher collected his first Cox Plate in the 100th edition of the famous race as classy import Sir Dragonet stormed home to take out the $3 million race at Moonee Valley.
The Unibet ambassador promptly declared the win as one of the biggest moments in his training career.

 

 

 

 

Ciaron 'Braveheart' Maher

 

 

Win of the Year – Bivouac (Newmarket)

 

Boom 3YO colt Bivouac stormed home in emphatic fashion to take out the 1200m Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.
The Godolphin runner defied a pronounced betting drift to settle just off the leaders until the furlong marker before blasting past the field to win by 2.5 lengths over Loving Gaby.
Steered by the ‘Boss’ Glen Boss, the James Cummings-trained sprinter, also finished 2nd in The Everest before saluting in the VRC Sprint Classic.
 

 

 

 

Horse of the Year – Verry Elleegant

 

The Chris Waller-trained Verry Elleegant enjoyed a verry prodcutive year of racing, winning 3 of her 5 Group 1 races over the Spring highlighted by galloping wins in the Winx Stakes, Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup.
The 5YO mare capped off a fine Spring, finishing a gallant 7th in the race that stops the nation, the Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
Verry Elleegant's Caulfield Cup triumph with Mark Zahra aboard was undoubtedly the highlight as she took over the race at the 100m and charged through the line in convincing style.

 

 

 

 

Jockey of the Year – Jye McNeil

 

Some jockeys end their entire careers without a Melbourne Cup victory but it certainly didn’t take long for Jye McNeil to capture his first win in the coveted staying race.
Riding in his first Melbourne Cup, the 25-year-old steered home Irish raider Twilight Payment in an historic start to finish victory.
The last time a horse led from start to finish in the 3200m race was the legendary Might And Power with Jimmy Cassidy aboard in 1997.
 

 

 

 

Social Media Reaction To Twilight Payment's Melbourne Cup Win

 

 

Breakthrough of the Year – Gytrash

 

It goes without saying that 2020 was massive year for the Gordon Richards-trained South Australian horse Gytrash.
The 5YO emerged as a topline Group 1 sprinter this year bagging a breakthrough win in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning at Flemington before two wins in Sydney to prove her detractors wrong in the Eastern States.
Gytrash stormed home in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick before ending the season on a high note with a victory in the Yes Yes Yes Stakes at Rosehill.

 

 

 

 

Biggest controversy of the Year – Alligator Blood 

 

 

One of the most controversial moments of the year was Sunshine Coast horse Alligator Blood being stripped of his Magic Millions 3YO Guineas win.
Trainer David Vandyke was fined $20,000 after the gelding tested positive to the prohibited substance altrenogest, a product used to regulate hormones in mares and fillies.
Owners and connections of Alligator Blood were also hit hard where it hurts the most with $1.168 million in prizemoney restributed to other placegetters.
 

 

 

 

 

What was your favourite racing highlight in 2020?
Share your thoughts with us on Twitter: @UNIBETAustralia or Facebook: @UnibetAustralia

 

 

 

 

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