2 Jul 2007
New Zealand-bred Vengeance Of Rain was named Hong Kong Horse Of The Year for the 2006/07 season when the curtain came down on the current season at Sha Tin on Monday
The son of Zabeel was also named Champion Stayer and Most Popular Horse.
Seldom has opinion been as divided over the Champions Awards Judging Panel in electing a Horse of the Year.
For most is was a clear choice between Vengeance Of Rain and Viva Pataca who won four times at domestic Group 1 level between them, each landing one at international status.
Vengeance Of Rain won the Hong Kong Gold Cup (over Viva Pataca) and the Dubai Sheema Classic, the joint-richest race in the world on turf, in March. The Dubai victory, his sixth Gr 1 success, came from a top class international field that included an Epsom Derby winner and a Breeders' Cup winner.
Viva Pataca (GB) was named Champion Middle Distance horse; Armada (NZ) Champion Miler: Absolute Champion (Aus) the Champion Sprinter; Medic Power (NZ) the Most Improved Horse and Joy And Fun (NZ) the Champion Griffin. Silent Witness (Aus), himself twice named Horse of the Year, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement award.
Regarding the Most Popular Horse and Most Popular Jockey of the Year, a total of 236,502 votes were received in a massive response from the public. Vengeance Of Rain was voted as the Most Popular Horse of the Year (52,962 votes) while Brett Prebble became the Most Popular Jockey of the Year (52,425 votes).
South African Caspar Fownes ended the year as Champion trainer with 61 winners, ahead of Paul O'Sullivan (52) and Tony Cruz (49) while Douglas Whyte was Champion jockey.