2025/26 ATC Owners Awards Celebrate Outstanding Contributions to Sydney Racing

Australian Turf Club Chief Executive Officer Steve McMahon congratulated all winners, recognising their important role in the continued success of racing in Sydney.

“Owners play a vital role and pay for the upkeep and training of horses 52 weeks a year in their support of Sydney racing at our four racecourses,’’ Mr McMahon said.

“We are delighted to join with Owners and industry to particularly recognise notable achievements across the board in one of the world’s strongest racing jurisdictions.

“The raceday is also an opportunity for the entire industry as well as punters and our Members to be thanked and recognised for the valuable role each sector plays.

This year’s award recipients highlighted a season of exceptional achievement.

Three-time Group 1 winner and Golden Eagle heroine Autumn Glow was recognised for recording the most wins at Australian Turf Club racecourses during the season, while Francis and Christine Cook were once again acknowledged as the leading individual owners by wins following another outstanding year featuring success at both metropolitan and elite level.

Leading syndicator honours went to Darby Racing, whose strong season included success with a number of emerging performers across Sydney, while MyRacehorse received the Ownership Recognition Award for its continued contribution to growing racehorse ownership and engaging new audiences with the sport.

Among the equine award recipients, Tenderize was recognised for recording the most starts at ATC tracks throughout the season, while Tazima (IRE) claimed the Breakthrough Performer Award after a remarkable rise through the benchmark ranks during the Winter months.

The Special Achievement Award was presented to Idle Flyer, whose progression from benchmark company to Group 1 success has been one of the standout stories of the season. Estadio Mestalla (IRE) was also recognised after carrying the highest successful weight at an ATC racecourse, taking out the Choisir Handicap on The Big Dance On Cup Day under the testing impost of 63kg.

Australian Turf Club thanks the award sponsors Yulong Investments, Coolmore Stud, Inglis, Kia Ora Stud, Arrowfield Stud, Ranvet, Darley and Vinery Stud for their ongoing support of racehorse ownership and the broader racing industry.

Congratulations to all recipients of the 2025/26 ATC Owners Awards and to the connections who continue to contribute to the strength and success of racing at Royal Randwick, Rosehill Gardens, Canterbury Park and Warwick Farm.