Monbet wins Harness Horse of the Year Award

Monbet has joined an illustrious list of trotters to win the New Zealand Harness Horse of the Year Award.

The champion squaregaiter won the prestigious title at the 2016 Harness Racing Awards in Christchurch on Saturday night.

Twenty seven judges of the pacing and trotting awards returned voting forms. They represented the media, Harness Racing NZ’s racing department and racing managers of Alexandra Park and Addington.

Monbet received 15 votes for the top award, while Auckland Cup winner Have Faith In Me got 12.

The North Canterbury-trained Monbet was also named Trotter of the Year and Four-Year-Old Trotting Entire or Gelding of the Year.

The other six trotters to have won Horse of the Year were I Can Doosit (2011-12), Take A Moment (2002-03), Lyell Creek (1999-00), Merinai (1997-98), Sir Castleton (joint winner with Steel Jaw, 1983-84) and No Response (1978-79).

Monbet, raced on lease by Woodend Beach trainers Greg and Nina Hope and Morrie Molloy, of Christchurch, had a stellar season winning 13 of 15 starts. Ricky May drives Monbet.