It was a night of nights for the McKee family at the New Zealand Racing Awards in Hamilton on Wednesday.

The Stephen McKee-trained (King) Mufhasa claimed his second NZ Horse of the Year title while Trevor McKee was honoured for his outstanding contribution to New Zealand racing.

Trevor McKee is best known as the co-trainer and part-owner of champion mare Sunline (NZ).  He’s enjoyed a lifetime in racing, progressing from riding to training and earning the respect of all along the way.

Mufhasa (Pentire) won four Group 1 races last season and that also helped to seal his third Sprinter of the Year crown.  He polled 37 votes out of a possible 43 to take the Horse of the Year award.  Jimmy Choux (Thorn Park) and Veyron (Thorn Park) both received two votes while Shez Sinsational (Ekraar) and Silent Achiever (O’Reilly) got one apiece.

Mufhasa was a G1 winner of the Makfi Challenge at Hastings, Toorak Handicap at Caulfield, Captain Cook Stakes at Trentham and Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.

2010-11 Horse of the Year Jimmy Choux, who defeated Mufhasa to win the G1 Windsor Park Plate last season, was named Champion middle-distance performer with 27 votes.

Shez Sinsational was named Stayer of the Year and other award winners were Silent Achiever (3YO), Warhorse (2YO), Ima Heroine (Jumper) and Planet Rock (NZB Filly of the Year).

Zabeel was honoured with his 15th Dewar Stallion Award, while O’Reilly won the Grosvenor Award and Pins the Centaine Award.

The Oaks Stud was named Owner of the Year, while So You Think’s dam Triassic (Tights) was named Broodmare of the Year for the second straight year and Cecile and Alex Smith were named breeders of the year.