Swayzee gets the crown!

3 March 2024

FOLLOWING a remarkable season New Zealand Cup winner Swayzee 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.
PHOTO: HRNSW Chairman Ken Brown AM with reinsman Cameron Hart and Gallagher representative Kim Thompson.
 
HRNSW MEDIA CONTACT:
AMANDA RANDO | MEDIA LIAISON MANAGER
(02) 9722 6600 •  arando@hrnsw.com.au •  @Amanda_Rando