Star Magic Millions graduate Melito was crowned NSW Champion Horse of the Year on Thursday night.  The Redoute’s Choice won the award from a field that included Metal Bender, Hot Danish, Rangirangdoo and Crystal Lily.

Melito also won the 3YO of the Year crown at the NSWROA Racing’s Night of Champions function at Rosehill’s Grand Pavilion.  In the three-year-old division, she defeated fellow finalists Denman and Faint Perfume.

Melito had a season to remember for her connections.  Purchased by trainer Gerald Ryan for $600,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Melito sent her value soaring when she won the Group 1 T J Smith Stakes at Randwick and Qld Tatts Winter Stakes at Eagle Farm.

A daughter of the season’s champion sire Redoute’s Choice, Melito has earned over $1.5 million to date from just 18 runs.  She is one of three stakes performers produced by stakes winning Marauding mare Cloister.  

Cloister won the VATC Debutante Stakes at Caulfield and hails from the family of deceased Newhaven Park sire Zeditave.