Accolades continue to flow for Singapore superstar Better Than Ever.  The Karaka graduate was crowned Singapore’s 2011 Champion Miler at the Horse of the Year Awards last week.

Trained by Laurie Laxon, Better Than Ever (French Deputy) had a highly successful 2011 season on the Singapore track winning the G3 Three Rings Trophy (1400m), G3 Poly Track Mile (1600m) and taking his second victory in the G1 Kranji Mile (1600m) in October.

Unbeaten in his first 12 starts in Singapore from August 2009 to October 2010, Better Than Ever has built that up to 15 wins in 22 starts.

Bred by Graham and Kylie Bax at their Blandford Lodge in Matamata, Better Than Ever was purchased by Laxon at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2008 Karaka Premier Sale for $80,000.  “He has been a top performer in Singapore,” said Graham Bax.  “He has a very impressive record and it has been a thrill for us to breed a horse of his class.

“We sent his dam Songfest over to French Deputy and she ended up foaling Better Than Ever in Australia but he was raised and sold in New Zealand.  We are currently racing a half-sister to Better Than Ever by Savabeel called Savasong.”

Savasong ran a very good second at Taranaki in the New Zealand Oaks Prelude.  She is trained by Graeme and Debbie Rogerson and will now line up in the G3 Lowland Stakes at Hawke’s Bay.

Songfest produced a filly by Medaglia d’Oro in 2011.