CIARON Maher's top steeplechaser Bashboy was crowned Australian Champion Jumper for a record-breaking third time at the glitzy Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards in Melbourne on Thursday night.
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Bashboy took out the prestigious award in 2012 and 2013.
He won this year's title following wins in the Thackeray, Crisp and Grand National steeplechases during a success-filled 2015 season.
Maher, who has stables at Caulfield and Winslow, is gearing up for a bumper Melbourne Spring Carnival with major contenders in feature races.
The established trainer said he was excited with Bashboy’s historic jumps award win.
"It's great that Bashboy's achievements this season have been acknowledged on a bigger scale; his efforts have been amazing,” he said.
“He is an outstanding jumper.
“His efforts to win the Thackeray and the Crisp steeplechase were great but his third win in the Grand National Steeplechase was incredible as he carried 74.5 kilograms to victory.
"His Grand National Steeplechase win got world-wide attention as champion international jumps jockey Ruby Walsh was in the saddle as his regular jockey Steven Pateman was suspended.
“We hope to have have Bashboy back for next season's feature jumps races."
Maher acknowledged Bashboy's owners, stable foreman Ian Gilcrist and Warrnambool trainer Mitch Freedman, for their telling efforts after the trophy presentation.
"Bashboy's owners have been really supportive of me," he said.
"Ian does a sensational job looking after Bashboy when he's in work at the stable.
“Mitch puts in the foundation work in the early part of his campaign.
“They make my job a lot easier."
Bashboy has won an impressive 14 of his 18 jumps starts and earned more than $1 million in stakemoney to date.
