Racing Victoria (RV) and the Australian Trainers’ Association (ATA) have today announced the introduction of an annual award to recognise emerging talent within Victoria’s training ranks.
Named in honour of recently retired trainer and ATA Federal President Colin Alderson OAM, the Colin Alderson Rising Star Award will acknowledge a trainer with no more than seven racing seasons’ experience who has performed with distinction over the previous 12 months.
Open to Victorian-based trainers no older than 40 at the conclusion of the racing season, the Colin Alderson Rising Star Award will be presented for the first time at the annual Scobie Breasley Medal Awards on Thursday 25 August, at The Atrium, Flemington Racecourse.
In a career that spanned almost half a century, Alderson enjoyed elite success on the track preparing 11 Group 1 winners including the 1999 Caulfield Cup with Sky Heights. He was considered a mentor to many emerging trainers throughout his career, a career which also included serving the industry with distinction over three decades as a Committee member, Vice President, State and more recently, Federal President, of the ATA.
ATA Chief Executive, Andrew Nicholl, said “The ATA has been eager to introduce an award to recognise our emerging trainers and encourage them to continue their pursuit of a career within the racing industry.
“We’re delighted to launch the Colin Alderson Rising Star Award today, which complements the annual Fred Hoysted Medal that is awarded for the most outstanding training performance on a Victorian racetrack during the racing season.
“We are particularly pleased to be able to honour Colin Alderson, who served the ATA with distinction over nearly 30 years supporting and furthering the cause of his fellow trainers.”
Cranbourne-based Alderson said, “I’m truly honoured that the industry has seen fit to recognise my career on and off the track with the introduction of this award which I hope grows in prestige over years to come.
“The continual injection of new horsemen and women into our training ranks is vital for the industry’s on-going success and I’m delighted that we will acknowledge the achievements of an emerging trainer each year.”
RV Chief Executive, Bernard Saundry said, “We’re pleased to support the introduction of the Colin Alderson Rising Star Award which will be presented along with our key annual awards at the Scobie Breasley Medal Night.
“With so many talented trainers in Victoria it is never easy for emerging talent to forge a career, so we are delighted to acknowledge the efforts of a young trainer who has successfully taken up the challenge and made a valuable contribution to our sport.”
A select group of 50 people made up of Victorian racing media, racecallers, handicappers and RV Chairman of Stewards have today been invited to vote on the award, along with the Victorian Racehorse of the Year and Fred Hoysted Medal.
