Amelia’s Jewel continued a memorable August for her owner-breeder Peter Walsh with a triumphant WA Racehorse of The Year Award at The Ritz-Carlton on Saturday evening.
The daughter of Champion Haras de Bonneval sire Siyouni (Fr) was an unchallenged winner following an Ascot season highlighted by victories in the G1 Northerly Stakes (1800m), G2 WA Guineas (1600m), G3 Roma Cup (1100m) and an unlucky loss in the $4 million The Quokka (1200m).
Amelia’s Jewel was also named 3YO Racehorse Of The Year and her dam Bumbasina (Ire) the Leading Broodmare. Walsh and his team at Amelia Park completed a big evening when dubbed the Leading Breeder for 2022-23.
Western Australia may have seen the last of Amelia’s Jewel as she resumes this season in the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington September 16 ahead of a spring goal on October 28 in either the $5 million G1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley or $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
“I want to take on the Eastern States for WA and I just hope she does us proud,” Walsh said. “I can honestly say the biggest thrill we’ve had with Amelia’s Jewel was when she was beaten in The Quokka. Hearing the crowd roar gave me goosebumps all over.”
Earlier this month, Bumbasina foaled a full-brother Amelia’s Jewel in Normandy. Walsh said she will be bred back to Siyouni for another southern cover.
WA 2022-23 Award Winners:
Racehorse of the Year: Amelia’s Jewel
Leading Breeder: Amelia Park Racing and Breeding
Leading Sire: Playing God
Leading Broodmare: Bumbasina
2YO Racehorse of the Year: Super Smink
3YO Racehorse of the Year: Amelia’s Jewel
4UP Racehorse of the Year: Kissonallforcheeks
Leading Metropolitan Trainer: Neville Parnham
Leading State Trainer: Adam Durrant
Leading State and Metropolitan Jockey: William Pike
Leading State Apprentice Jockey: Brayden Gaerth
Leading Metropolitan Apprentice Jockey: Holly Watson
WA Spirit of Racing: Julie Mitchell, Ross and Tammy Price
Bumbasina and her latest Siyouni foal who is a full-brother to Amelia’s Jewel at Haras du Buff in Normandy
