Victorian owner-breeders Ed and Robyn Shakespeare have won the 2013-14 Swettenham Stud Victorian Country Racehorse of the Year award with their classy stayer Hurdy Gurdy Man.

The Street Cry stallion won the Hamilton Cup and Murtoa Cup and was also placed in the Ballarat Cup and Werribee Cup last season.  He topped the poll ahead of Diamonds at Noon and Me Hungi.

Hurdy Gurdy Man had won the G3 Hobart Cup and Woodend Cup at Warrnambool in 2012-13.  “This horse had few little niggling issues when he was younger,” trainer Darren Weir said.  “But Ed and Robyn have been very patient with him.”

Along with being crowned the Country Racehorse of the Year, the Shakespeares received a commemorative Americain framed head collar (one of only five) courtesy of Swettenham Stud.

Hurdy Gurdy Man’s dam Abalone is a daughter of former Swettenham Stud sire Bluebird.

“There were a number of horses who had outstanding seasons in contention for this year’s award,” Country Racing CEO Scott Whiteman said at the South Wharf Convention Centre.  “It’s a great achievement by everyone involved in Hurdy Gurdy Man and this award is great recognition of their hard work.”