STAR Tasmanian stayer Norsqui was last night named Tasmanian Horse of the Year for season 2012-12.
The gelding’s win was met with thunderous applause from a sell-out crowd that gathered at Country Club Tasmania for the annual Tasmanian thoroughbred awards that included the latest inductions into the Tasmanian Racing Hall of Fame.
Norsqui saved his best performances last season for the national arena.
The Walter McShane-trained gelding ventured to South Australia to win the $400,000 Group 2 Adelaide Cup over 3200 metres and he then travelled to NSW where he was a gallant second in the $500,000 Group 1 Sydney Cup also over 3200 metres.
He was paced fourth in t7he Group 3 Launceston Cup prior to heading interstate to tackle the Adelaide and Sydney cups.
The gelding will embark on an interstate campaign next week that will hopefully earn him a start in the Melbourne Cup.
Norsqui won ahead of worthy contenders Banca Mo, Geegees Blackflash, Rebel Bride and The Cleaner.
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There were no surprises with the 2YO title with Grand Tycoon a unanimous choice of the eight judges.
Grand Tycoon won seven of his eight starts in Tasmania last season making him a hot favorite to win the two-year-old of the year award.
He won every 2YO feature race on the calendar except the Autumn Classic and his win in the $100,000 Gold Sovereign was arguably his best effort.
Grand Tycoon, owned by Charlie and Wendy Langmaid, earned over $200,000 in stakes.
Other juveniles to poll well were Inner warrior and Geegees Velvet.
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MISTER JOHN captured the 3YO of the year crown.
The Royston Carr-trained gelding raced five times in Tasmania last season for three wins and two minor placings with his best effort coming in the Listed Tasmania Guineas in Launceston in which he defeated a star-studded field.
Mister John is owned by Dr John Burke who also bred the gelding from his former talented race mare Kats Clause (x Weasel Clause).
Mister John earned the most votes ahead of Tasmanian Derby winner Ollie’s Gold and Hobart Guineas winner What Life Brings.
The 2012-13 participant awards also were presented on the night with David and Scott Brunton taking out the trainer’s premiership, Brendon McCoull his 13th jockey’s premiership and Siggy Carr her first apprentice’s title in what was her first season of riding.
The state’s leading owners were Paul and Elizabeth Geard of G G Horse Stud. They ended the season with 23 individual winners for 42 wins, which is a record for a Tasmanian owner.