Nipster predictably named 2020 Horse of the Year

As expected, the most improved horse over the course of the 2020 local racing season has been named Horse of the Year. The Michael Bernard-owned 4 year old bay colt Nipster who showed rapid improvement and landed some of the top races on the local calendar, was announced as the Horse of the Year during a press conference at Caymanas Park on Thursday.

Nipster landed the second leg of the Triple Crown series when he scored a massive upset victory in the Jamaica St Leger before taking the runner-up spot in a closely-contested Jamaica Derby. He also captured the inaugural running of the $4.5 million Ian Levy Cup on Boxing Day. Nipster recorded six wins from 14 starts last year with total earnings of $9.3 million.

Meanwhile, Oshane Nugent who rode 36 winners last year, was named champion apprentice. Veteran jockey Paul "Country" Francis who rode only three winners in 2019, but increased that tally to 17 in 2020, has been adjudged the most improved rider, while Alford Brown who saddled 16 winners last year compared to nine the previous year, has been named the most improved trainer for 2020.

Tafara Wright who is attached to the stables of champion trainer Anthony "Baba" Nunes, was named champion groom, while Ham Stables once again landed the champion breeder award. The champions of 2020 will be honoured during the Ash Wednesday race day on February 17.