Brilliant pacer Lazarus was crowned New Zealand’s Harness Horse of the Year at the annual harness racing awards in Christchurch on Thursday night.
The New Zealand Trotting Cup king from last November was a resounding winner of the major award and his stablemates dominated the rest.
Nine awards went the way of horses from the Christchurch-based barn of Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, including three to Lazarus.
The All Stars stable also picked up category wins with Elle Mac, the just-retired mare Spanish Armada, Spankem, Ultimate Machete, Dream About Me and the Inter-Domion final winner, the just-retired warhorse Smolda.
Purdon and Rasmussen, who are currently in North America as Purdon prepares to represent New Zealand in the World Drivers Championship, also claimed the trainers prize for their dominant performance on the national premiership.
Woodend Beach trainers Greg and Nina Hope had a good night, picking up a combined four titles.
Aoraki claimed the young Trotting Filly of the Year title, while Enghien and Monbet also won their respective categories.
In what was a close battle, Monbet also edged his young stablemate out for the title of Trotter of the Year – a notable feat considering he only raced three times this season where he won the New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All and the coveted Dominion Handicap.
Another close category saw Sunny Ruby claimed Aged Trotting Mare of the Year over Habibti Ivy and Quite A Moment.
Bethany, the dam of Lazarus, picked up the Broodmare of the Year title while the late Carl Middleton’s Another Starlet was awarded the Trotting Broodmare of the Year title.
Popular Oamaru couple, Phil and Bev Williamson, won the Outstanding Contribution Award for their efforts as trainers, administrators and as the parents of successful horsemen Nathan, Matthew and Brad.
AWARD WINNERS
2YO Trotting Filly of the Year - Aoraki
2YO Trotting Colt or Gelding of the Year - Paramount King
2YO Pacing Filly of the Year - Elle Mac
2YO Pacing Colt or Gelding of the Year - Spankem
3YO Trotting Filly of the Year - Chevron Express
3YO Pacing Filly of the Year - Spanish Armada
3YO Trotting Colt or Gelding of the Year - Enghien
3YO Pacing Colt or Gelding of the Year - Ultimate Machete
4YO Trotting Mare of the Year - Wilma's Mate
4YO Pacing Mare of the Year - Dream About Me
4YO Trotting Entire or Gelding of the Year - Temporale
4YO Pacing Entire or Gelding of the Year - Lazarus
5YO & Older Trotting Mare of the Year - Sunny Ruby
5YO & Older Pacing Mare of the Year - The Orange Agent
5YO & Older Trotting Entire or Gelding of the Year - Monbet
5YO & Older Pacing Entire or Gelding of the Year - Smolda
Trotting Broodmare of the Year - Another Starlet
Pacing Broodmare of the Year - Bethany
Breeder of the Year - Brian West
Trotting Stallion of the Year - Love You
Pacing Stallion of the Year - Bettor's Delight
Owners of the Year - Philip and Glenys Kennard
Leading Junior Driver - Rory McIlwrick
Leading Driver - Dexter Dunn
Leading Trainers - Mark Purdon & Natalie Rasmussen
Cadet of the Year - Kieran McNaught
Outstanding Contribution - Bev and Phil Williamson
Pacer of the Year - Lazarus
Trotter of the Year - Monbet
Horse of the Year - Lazarus
