The outstanding filly, ALSAFRA, capped the 2008 'Horse of the Year' award at the 20th None Such/Horse of the Year awards dinner on Thursday night at the Hilton hotel, New Kingston.

In addition to the top award, ALSAFRA was named champion three-year-old and champion local-bred horse.

Her proud owners, Sherman Clachar and Norman Gordon, were on hand to receive the awards, as ALSFARA became the 13th filly/mare to win the award since it was first presented in 1964.

As a three-year-old in 2008, ALSAFRA, who is trained by Fitznahum Williams and bred by Henry W. Jaghai, won four classic races (including the Triple Crown) to emerge the season's leading stakes winner with just over $9 million. In all, the chestnut filly by Legal Princess - Tee Gee Vee won six races from eight starts.

prestigious

While ALSAFRA's owners figured prominently in the proceedings, the night belonged to Barbados-based owner Elias Haloute, who walked away with the prestigious None Such award. This is presented annually to a person or organisation whose lifetime endeavours in the field of thoroughbred racing embody excellence, innovation and leadership.

The award was presented to Haloute and his wife by Randall Soth, general manager and acting CEO of Caymanas Track Limited.

In addition to the None Such award, Haloute received the Champion Owner award, along with other awards won by AD INFINITUM - champion stayer, champion four-year-old and up, not to mention the award as first runner-up to the Horse of the Year.

If that wasn't enough, his ill-fated 2000 Guineas hero, ROYAL IMAGE, was named champion three-year-old stayer and middle-distance performer.

Other voting awards went to Fitznahum Williams of Alsafra fame (most improved trainer), Dane Nelson (most improved jockey), the Percy Hussey-trained MISS RUTH (champion two-year-old), AHWHOFAH (champion sprinter), CHADMAN (champion foreign-bred horse, champion middle-distance performer and second runner-up to the Horse of the Year), OUTSTANDING (champion four-year-old sprinter), as well as AGUILA (claimer of the year).

Other awards based on statistics went to Wayne DaCosta (champion trainer), Omar Walker (champion jockey and top apprentice), Henry W. Jaghai (champion breeder), Purcell Keith (champion groom), Royal Minister (Matchem award as champion sire), Tee Gee Vee (champion broodmare) and Clock Tower in Halfway Tree (top OTB sales award), surprisingly, there was no guest speaker this time around, but the function was very well attended. Masters of ceremonies were well-known racing personality Keith Binns and noted radio personality, Paul-Ann Porter Jones.