Monday, 8 February 2010: Star sprinter Nicconi has been crowned the 2009 Horse of the Year at the annual South Australian Thoroughbred Breeders Award Dinner at Morphettville.
 | Nicconi wins the Lightning Stakes
Photo by Racing and Sports | |
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Bred by Lindsay Park Stud in partnership with long time stable clients Peter Devitt and Les Gordon, Nicconi has confirmed his status as one of the country's best racehorses.
A recent brilliant winner of the Group One Lightning Stakes at Flemington, Nicconi won four races during 2009 including a runaway win over fellow Group One winners Danleigh and Gold Trail in G1 AJC Galaxy at Randwick.
The son of Bianconi, from the grand producing Scenic mare Nicola Lass, was retained to race by his breeders and as it stands his record reads out at six wins and four minor placings from just 13 starts and earnings of over $988,000.
Nicconi's older half brother Niconero and dual Derby winner Rebel Raider were the other major contenders for the top award.
Other finalists for the Horse of the Year crown were Alcopop, Augusta Proud, Baughurst, Majestic Music, Serious Speed, Shamoline Warrior, Silent Surround, Symphony Miss and Very Discreet.
Rebel Raider was named Leading 3YO award, while Group winner Silent Surround was judged the best SA bred juvenile of last season.
Popular Kambula Stud based sire Blevic was announced as the SA Stallion of the Year, while Lindsay Park Stud's Face Value swept both the First Season and 2YO categories.
It was no surprise Nicola Lass was announced as Broodmare of the Year - being the dam of star stablemates Nicconi and Niconero.
Llong time South Australian owner/breeders, Ken and Helen Smith were the recipients of the prestigious Matrice Award for outstanding contribution to the SA industry.
The Smiths have bred and raced a number of high class gallopers and have always supported stallions standing in South Australia.
The majority of their horses to race have carried the "Exalted" prefix and include the likes of Exalted Lad, Exalted Keetah, Exalted Ego and Adelaide Cup winner Exalted Time.
2009 Horse of the Year - NICCONI
SABIS Awards to Breeders - ALCOPOP; AUGUSTA PROUD; BAUGHURST; MAJESTIC MUSIC; NICCONI; NICONERO; REBEL RAIDER; SERIOUS SPEED; SHAMOLINE WARRIOR; SILENT SURROUND; SYMPHONY MISS; VERY DISCREET.
Leading SA Stallion - BLEVIC (Kambula Stud)
Leading SA 2YO Sire - FACE VALUE (Lindsay Park Stud)
Leading SA First Season Sire - FACE VALUE (Lindsay Park Stud)
Broodmare of the Year - NICOLA LASS
Breeder of Leading SA 2YO - Dr F Hau (Silent Surround)
Breeder of Leading SA 3YO - Toorak Park Stud (Rebel Raider).
Leading SA Breeder of Stakes Winners - LINDSAY PARK STUD
Leading SA Breeder by SA Stallions - KAMBULA STUD
Group One Winner Awards - NICCONI; NICONERO; REBEL RAIDER
Matrice Award - KEN & HELEN SMITH
