Apprentice jockey Jacob Opperman was a big winner at the 2021/22 Limestone Coast Racing Awards held last week.
The Mount Gambier based jockey Opperman took out the Apprentice Jockey of the Year award for the second time in as many years.
The awards are a celebration of the racing year for the clubs within the Limestone Coast.
All awards were voted on based on performances at race meetings across the, Bordertown, Millicent, Mount Gambier, Naracoorte and Penola racing clubs.
The event was hosted by the Naracoorte Racing Club in front of over 60 people gathered with local emcee legend, Kevin “KD” Douglas ensuring the proceedings flowed along throughout the afternoon.
Guests on the day included Clare Scriven MLC Minister for Primary Industries, Regional Development representing the Racing Minister Katrine Hildyard, Nick McBride MP for MacKillop and Nick Redin, CEO of Racing SA.
Limestone Coast Racing President Justin Kain was happy with the day and past 12-months.
“It was an afternoon enjoyed by all with old and new friends in the racing fraternity mixing tales of the season past and what may come of the new one upon us,” Kain said.
Having an amazing season herself, Caitlin Jones was a guest speaker for the day.
Caitlin provided some insight to the journey of being a modern jockey and the thrill of a work trip to Dubai with the Will Clarken stable, which saw her travel to Saudi Arabia on little notice and taking out the International Jockeys Challenge in early 2022.
Limestone Coast Racing was pleased to announce the induction of Naracoorte stalwart, Bruce Jaensch as its newest life member.
His induction was presented by Peter Ludwig, who is also a life member.
The leading trainer award went to Darryl Dodson, while Trevor White was named as the top restricted trainer.
The leading jockey award was handed to Kayla Crowther after a successful year.
After winning the 2022 Scott Group of Companies Mount Gambier Gold Cup, Clever Man trained by White was named as the Horse of the Year following many strong performances and wins in the Limestone Coast.
Meanwhile, Sue Murphy’s Hasta La War secured the special Horse of the Year from the Limestone Coast Performing anywhere title.
Reflecting on the special accolade Murphy said it has been the result of a long journey in the industry.
“It started all back in 1994 and has turned into a nice, big racing complex since then,” she said to Country Racing S.A.
“There has been a lot maintenance, time and perseverance and the end results are coming through with the horses.
“Hasta Law War has been a favourite because of the injury and getting him from where he was to where he is now.
“We took a stab with him and it has been a good one.
“He is a been a very goof temperament horse, easy to maintain and is not hot headed.
“He is a real good stayer and that is what you want.
“He does not overexert himself and keeps all the stamina for the race.
“To have a horse nominated for the Melbourne Cup has been a good boost for the South East because we are in the part of the state that gets forgotten about.
“So it is good to see we have something down here that is good enough to compete against the bigger trainers with the bigger money.”
