Eliza Park International’s new kid on the block Fiorente has been named 2013-14 Victorian Horse of the Year.

Fiorente polled 116 votes to win the award which was announced at the at the Crown Entertainment Complex on Sunday evening.  Champion sprinter Lankan Rupee (103) was runner-up ahead of Shamus Award (25) and Atlantic Jewel (19).

The German bred stayer raced 7 times in Victoria during the season highlighted by Group 1 victories in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) and Australian Cup (2000m).  He also registered Group 2 wins in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) and Peter Young Stakes (1800m).

“I’m honoured to be here accepting this award,” trainer Gai Waterhouse said.  “It’s a special thrill to accept such a prestigious award with a horse who provided me with such a special moment in the Melbourne Cup.”

Fiorente (Monsun – Desert Bloom by Pilsudski) will stand his initial season at Eliza Park International for a fee of $17,600 (inc gst).

Eliza Park International Sales & Nominations Manager Mark Lindsay reiterated the comments he made when Fiorente was signed-up to the Kerrie roster in May.  “It’s hard to move away from what he did in the Melbourne Cup and Australian Cup but his win over 1600m at weight for age in the Dato Tan Chin Nam was something else,” Lindsay said.

“He’s got a lot to offer broodmare owners and his sire Monsun is one of the world’s most successful sires with 17% stakes winners to runners.”

Fiorente will be one of the front-runners when the Australian Horse of the Year winner is announced on Thursday, October 2.