Stepitup (Aus) (Hussonet), whose six victories from 12 starts during the 2015 season included the first two legs of Singapore's older horse Triple Crown, was named the jurisdiction's Horse of the Year in ceremonies held at the Regent Singapore Hotel Thursday evening.
An A$90,000 purchase out of the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale in 2011, Stepitup, the 2014 Singapore Derby runner-up, rung up five black-type wins, including a defeat of newly minted champion stayer Quechua (Arg) (Pure Prize) in the Kranji Mile Oct. 4 (video) followed by another determined success in the Raffles Cup (video) three weeks later. Trained by Laurie Laxon, Stepitup has now won 15 of 34 career appearances and has banked better than S$2.5 million. The 6-year-old was also recognized as champion older horse.
In other divisions, War Affair (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), the 2014 Horse of the Year, endured an interrupted campaign, but was spectacular when given his chance and was named champion 4-year-old off wins in the 1400-meter Stewards' Cup and the Patron's Bowl over the metric mile. The latter success also secured War Affair champion miler honors. On the strength of a tally in Garden City Trophy in September and a second consecutive runner-up effort in the G1 KrisFlyer International Sprint in May, Emperor Max (Aus) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) was recognized as Singapore's champion sprinter. Super One (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}) made light work of all before him, with four wins virtually untouched, and was honored as champion 2-year-old.
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