Simply Minds was named the Norwegian Horse of the Year title during Norway's annual Oscargalla awards. The son of Belardo was also awarded the Norwegian Champion Miler title. Trained by Hanne Rådstoga, who was awarded the Champion Amateur Trainer title, the seven-year-old won the G3 Marit Sveaas Minnelop in August.
Champion Trainer Niels Petersen was represented by the globetrotting Queen Azteca (Sharp Azteca), successful in the G3 UAE Oaks at Meydan. She was later sold to Team Valor International and transferred to the barn of Rodolphe Brisset. The filly earned the Tattersalls Achievement of the Year Award on Saturday night. Also given the Three-Year-Old of the Year award, she shared the latter with War Socks (Kameko), who competed at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood.
The full list of Oscargalla winners is as follows:
Horse of the Year/Miler of the Year: Simply Minds (by Belardo)
Two-Year-Old of the Year: Our Bear (Kodi Bear)
Three-Year-Old of the Year: Queen Azteca (Sharp Azteca) & War Socks (Kameko)
Filly or Mare of the Year: Capitana Bling (Invincible Army)
Sprinter of the Year: Aphelios (Kodiac)
Stayer of the Year: Ami De Vega (Lope De Vega)
Handicap Competitor of the Year: Corazon De Leon (Slade Power)
Norwegian Bred of the Year: Big Chance (Sporting Chance)
Norsk Forening for Fullblodsavl Sleipner Award: Corazon De Leon (Slade Power)
Ovrevoll Hesteeierforening 'Tough One' of the Year Award: Stogas Athena (Deceptor)
Breakthrough of the Year/NoARK's Travel Grant/Champion Amateur Jockey: Tonje Sørvang
Stable Staff Worker of the Year: Sofie Endahl
Tattersalls Achievement of the Year Award: Queen Azteca's UAE Oaks victory
Norsk Galopp's Recognition Award: Camilla Blom, Kjetil Kjær & Anne Petterøe for pony racing recruitment
Jury's Award: Knut O Arnesen, Are Hyldmo and Hallvard Soma
Champion Owner: Bling Enterprise
Champion Breeder: Morten Buck
Champion Trainer: Niels Petersen
Champion Amateur Trainer: Hanne Rådstoga
Champion Jockey: Carlos Lopez
Champion Apprentice: Lorenzo Putzulu.
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