IMPORTED galloper Wentwood was crowned the 2020-21 Country Racing Victoria Horse of The Year for Warrnambool trainer Maddie Raymond on Saturday night.
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Wentwood won the St Arnaud, Terang and Werribee Cups during the last season to take out the prestigious award.
Other award winners included young Warrnambool jockey Laura Lafferty who won the country apprentice jockey of the year title while long-serving local administrator Marg Lucas was acknowledged for her services to country racing.
Winslow training export Ciaron Maher and David Eustace won the country trainers award for the 2020-21 season.
Raymond, who has only been training for more than a year in her own right, was excited with the win by Wentwood.
"It's great to win the award," she said.
"He's a tough horse who gives his all in his races. I've got to thank my partner Paddy Bell and jockey Damian Lane for all the work they have done with the horse and I've also go to thank the owners of Wentwood for their support."
Lafferty rode 55 winners last season including the Ararat Cup winner.
She spent two months on the sidelines with concussion and a shoulder injury as the result of a fall at Swan Hill in June.
"I've been very lucky that I've had such great support from a lot of people," the former Emmanuel College student said.
"The Victoria Jockeys Association and Dr Gary Zimmerman have offered great support and assistance since my fall, my physiotherapist Helen and manager Liam Prior have been wonderful and so have my family.
"I've received tremendous support from owners and trainers and without their support I couldn't won this award."
Lucas was on the Warrnambool Racing Club committee for 20 years and filled the role as chairman for 10 years.
Maher and Eustace trained 155 winners on country tracks in the 2020-21 season.
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