International Round-up

[my miss storm cat]

Awwww, congrats to Xcellent!

His website.....

http://www.xcellent.co.nz/

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From TT...

Xcellent earns second straight New Zealand Horse of the Year title
(no author listed)

Xcellent was named New Zealand Horse Of The Year for the 2005-06 racing season, an honor he also earned the previous season. The four year old Pentire gelding also was named champion weight-for age performer, and champion stayer, 1700 meters (8.45 furlongs) and up.

Xcellent won the Kelt Capital Stakes (NZ-G1), the Mudgway Fair Tax for Racing Stakes (NZ-G1) and the Darley Stakes (NZ-G1), and was a fast-finishing third to Makybe Diva in the 2005 Melbourne Cup (Aus-G1) despite suffering a serious injury in the last half-furlong.

The awards were announced at a black tie dinner held at Ellerslie Racecourse, Auckland on September 8.

Other major winners included: Zabeel, for the 11th consecutive year Dewar Stallion of the Year. This award is for the greatest progeny earnings accrued in New Zealand and overseas.

Volksraad won the Grosvenor Stallion of the Year for the fifth year running, awarded for the greatest progeny earnings gained within New Zealand.

Broodmare of the Year went to Flying Floozie, dam of international Group One winner Starcraft. Flying Floozie won the title for the third consecutive year.

New Zealand Bloodstock Filly of the Year went to Shikoba.

Gee I Jane, winner of the Telegraph Handicap (NZ-G1), won champion sprinter/miler, 1,000-1,600 meters (4.97-7.97 furlongs).

Jokers Wild, Ford Diamond Stakes (NZ-G1) and Ford Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes (NZ-G1) winner, champion two-year-old.

Darci Brahma, New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas (NZ-G1) and Otaki-Maori Stakes (NZ-G1), Champion Three Year Old.

Just The Man was named Champion Jumper, and Jonathan Riddell Jumps Jockey Of The year.

Garry Chittick, Waikato, breeder of Group One winners Starcraft, Glamour Puss, Marju Snip, Legs and others, won Breeder of The Year and, for the second successive year, the Mercedes Award for Outstanding Contribution to Racing.

Former Champion Jockey turned trainer Lance O'Sullivan was Newcomer To Training of the Year. Mark Walker won Trainer of The Year.

Lisa Cropp was Jockey of the Year, and Kelly Myers Apprentice Jockey of the Year.

Anne Browne and estate of the late Ken Browne were named Owner of the Year, and Dennis Ryan won the Media Award.—Delamere Usher