Jake Toeroek has capped off a career-best season in the saddle securing his first John Letts Medal at the 2023-24 South Australian Racing Industry Awards at the Wolf Blass Event Centre on Saturday night.
The 30-year-old got his season off to a flying start and had wins in the listed Behemoth Stakes, John Letts Cup, Durbridge Stakes and Without Fear Stakes.
Jake Toeroek polled 56 votes to finish ahead of rising star Rochelle Milnes on 47. Todd Pannell was third on 46 votes, while Lachlan Neindorf and Jacob Opperman rounded out the top five on 38 and 36 votes respectively.
For the second consecutive year Toeroek also collected the Glennon-Johnson Award for the SA Metropolitan Jockey of the Year riding 47 metropolitan winners. His overall season tally of 90 wins with a 19% strike-rate ensured he won the Sportsbet South Australian Jockey of the Year award as well for most wins across all races in the season.
SA's first Group 1 winning horse in two and a half years – Queman – was crowned the Festival Hire South Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year. The Shane & Cassie Oxlade trained gelding claimed the honour ahead of The Map and Air Assault following a thrilling G1 Oakleigh Plate victory on Blue Diamond Stakes Day.
In another first Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea won the South Australian Metropolitan Trainer of the Year award, while the Richard and Chantelle Jolly stable claimed a third straight CS Hayes Award for the most wins across all races in SA this season.
Rochelle Milnes breakout season saw her win all three apprentice awards including the Leon Macdonald Award for SA Apprentice of the Year, the SA Metropolitan Apprentice of the Year and the Caitlin Forrest South Australian Provincial and Country Apprentice of the Year. She was also crowned the South Australian Provincial and Country Jockey of the Year.
For the third straight year Garret Lynch claimed the Sportsbet SA Provincial and Country Trainer of the Year Award, while the Andrew Gluyas trained Air Assault was the Evright.com Best Performed Horse.
The unsung heroes of the racing industry were recognised with Strathalbyn's Kirra Reynolds taking out the hotly contested Trackwork Rider of the Year Award while the multi -talented Mollie Knowles from the Andrew Gluyas stable won the Stablehand/Strapper of the Year Award.
The Gawler and Barossa Jockey Club claimed the Most Outstanding Achievement Award by a Club recognised for significant contributions to the local community. Long time stalwart of the Port Augusta Racing Club Darren Bonetti received the award for the Most Outstanding Achievement by an Individual for his tireless volunteer work.
