Dual Group 1 winner Ultimate Stride was crowned Otago Horse Of The Year for the 2019-20 at Waikouaiti on Friday night.
The Phil Williamson trained trotter’s wins in the group 1 wins in the Redwood Classis and Breeders Crown in Melbourne last August helped him clinch the title over a star studded field.
Ultimate Stride faced stiff competition just to win Otago 3yr-old Trotting Colt Or Gelding Of The Year when going head to head with Hambletonian Classic winner and fellow racetrack star Cracker Hill.
The category victory saw Ultimate Stride eligible for the Horse Of The Year title alongside Interdominon Trotting Final runner-up Majestic Man (Otago 5yo+ trotting colt or gelding) and rising star Spirit Of St Louis (3yo pacing colt or gelding).
Almost everybody connected with Ultimate Stride took an award home from Friday night’s celebration.
The blueblood trotter’s trainer Phil Williamson won Otago Trainer Of The Year and his driver Matthew Williamson won Otago Driver Of The Year.
Ultimate Stride’s breeders Lex and Heather Williams won Otago Breeders Of The Year.
Their broodmare, One Over Kenny, who is Ultimate Stride’s dam, won Broodmare Of The Year.
Full Results:
2yo pacing male
American Lightning
2yo trotting male
Love N The Port
3yo pacing filly
Nikasa
3yo pacing male
Spirit Of St Louis
3yo trotting filly
Miss Crazed
3yo trotting male
Ultimate Stride
4yo pacing mare
Countess Of Arden
4yo pacing male
Deus Ex
4yo trotting mare
Liberty Stride
4yo trotting male
Only One Way
5yo+ trotting mare
Theodosia
5yo+ trotting male
Majestic Man
5yo+ pacing mare
Sheeza Sport
5yo+ pacing male
Whata Razzle Dazzle
Best Otago Owned Horse
Ultimate Sniper
Horse Of The Year
Ultimate Stride
Trainer
Phil Williamson
Strike-Rate Trainer
Graeme Anderson
Driver
Matthew Williamson
Junior Driver
Kerryn Tomlinson
Breeder
Lex and Heather Williams
Broodmare
One Over Kenny
HRNZ