Vega One the 2021 QLD Horse of the Year

Emirates Park-bred and part owned Vega One has been recognised as Queensland's Horse of the Year at the 2021 TAB Queensland Thoroughbred Awards.

A 6-year-old son of Lope de Vega (Ire) produced by One Funny Honey (USA), Vega One proved to be one of the stars of this year's Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, scoring a memorable maiden Group 1 victory in the TAB Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) before going to finish runner-up in the Group 1 TAB Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) as the $4.60 favourite. The same campaign also witnessed a brilliant Group 2 win in the TAB Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm.

Trained by Tony Gollan on behalf of Grandlodge Racing P/L, Ken Bee Sports (Aust) P/L, Mr D Findlay & Emirates Park, Vega One also took out the Access Insulation Queensland 4YO & Older Horse of the Year award at the same ceremony staged at the Brisbane City Hall.

Racing Queensland CEO Brendan Parnell remarked that it was fitting for Vega One receive the TAB Queensland Horse of the Year award. “Vega One has shown time and time again that he is one of Queensland’s most consistent gallopers, and this award is thoroughly deserving following his stirring victory in the Group 1 TAB Kingsford-Smith Cup,” he said.

Foaled in 2015, Vega One was sold by Stockwell Thoroughbreds as agent for Emirates Park at the 2017 Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale where he fetched $75,000. After commencing his racing career with John Thompson at Randwick, he was transferred to Tony Gollan at the beginning of 2019 and has since developed into one of the most outstanding sprinters seen in the Sunshine State in the past decade.

Vega One is a half-brother to Emirates Park's Group 2 Sweet Embrace Stakes winner One More Honey (USA). The family features the US Champion Sire of 1994, Broad Brush.

A division of the Nasser Abdulla Lootah Group