Nature Strip Crowned Australian Horse of the Year Again

Champion trainer Chris Waller’s domination of the Australian Racehorse of the Year continued on Saturday night, when the world’s best sprinter Nature Strip was voted best horse in the land over his stable-mate and Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant.

Waller has trained the past seven Australian Racehorses of the Year, won by Winx (2016-19), Nature Strip (2020 and 2022) and Verry Elleegant (2021).

Nature Strip polled 189 votes after winning three Group 1s last season, taking his career tally to eight, with his Everest victory the icing on the cake.

The son of Nicconi became a global superstar in June, giving the world’s best sprinters a galloping lesson in a scintillating King’s Stand Stakes triumph at Royal Ascot.

Nicconi stands at Widden stud Victoria this spring at a fee of $22,000.

New to Widden NSW this spring, Rebel Dane featured at the awards night when his Golden Slipper winning filly Fireburn was officially recognized as the Champion 2YO.

The Gary Portelli trained filly is slated to return  this weekend in the Group II ATC Run to the Rose.

Rebel Dane stands at a fee of $27,500.