Outstanding sprinter Catapulted was crowned the 2010 South Australian Horse of the Year in Adelaide on Saturday night.

A recent winner of the Rubiton Stakes at his first run back from a spell, Catapulted ran a string of first class races during last year and was one of the rare horses in the country to win stakes races in three states.

Catapulted (5g Catbird – Siren Miss by Umatilla) was a $90,000 purchase by trainer Mark Kavanagh from the draft of Mill Park at the 2007 Adelaide Magic Millions yearling sale.  He has earned connections over $600,000 with 10 wins from just 19 starts.

Past winners of the SA Horse of the Year award include Makybe Diva, Mummify, Divine Madonna, Gold Guru, Episode, Durbridge, Special and Manikato.

Catapulted was bred by Mill Park in association with Bob and Helen Dinham.  His dam Siren Miss was also crowned the SA Broodmare of the Year.

Mill Park was honoured for their outstanding contributions to the SA thoroughbred industry by being presented with the prestigious Matrice Award.  The Meningie based nursery is owned and managed by the Watson family and they have played a part in the careers of stars such as Divine Madonna, Maldivian, Gold Guru, Undoubtedly, Mummify, Devil Moon, Princess Coup and Catapulted.

Recently retired Bellotto was awarded the Magic Millions Stallion of the Year.  His progeny in the 2009-10 season included G1 winner Littorio.

Pellizotti, bred by Kambula Stud and Majestic Music, bred by Toorak Park, were announced as the SA Bred leading two-year-old and three-year-old for the 2009-10 season.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN HORSE OF THE YEAR AWARDS:

Goldners Horse Transport Horse of the Year – Catapulted

Morphettville Equine Clinic Matrice Award – Mill Park

Magic Millions Leading Stallion – Bellotto (Rivers End Stud)

SA Jockey Club Leading 2YO Sire – Barely a Moment (Lindsay Park Stud)

Claude Haigh Memorial Leading Broodmare – Siren Miss (Mill Park & R & H Dinham)

Newmarket Insurance Leading Breeder by Stakes Wins – Toorak Park Stud

Newmarket Insurance Leading Breeder by SA Bred Winners – Ralph Satchell (Willow Grove Stud)

Finniss Lodge Leading 2YO – Pellizotti (Kambula Stud)

Kentucky Equine Research Leading 3YO – Majestic Music (Toorak Park Stud)

Yalumba Award for Breeders of Group 1 winners – Littorio (Mrs V Klaric) and Nicconi (Lindsay Park Stud, P Devitt & L Gordon)