Champion sprinter Nature Strip has capped an incredible season by being crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year at an awards ceremony in Melbourne on Saturday night.

The chestnut gelding won five of his eight starts in the 2021/22 racing season, including climbing the heights of The Everest at his third attempt, a second Group 1 Darley Sprint Classic success at Flemington, as well as his third-straight success in the G1 T.J. Smith Stakes at Randwick during the autumn.

He then proudly flew the flag for Australia on the world stage at Royal Ascot, where he recorded a dominant victory in the G1 King's Stand Stakes.

The 2022 award makes a winning double for Nature Strip, who previously took out the prestigious title in 2020.

But that pales intro comparison compared to his trainer Chris Waller's astonishing dominance of the award - he's now trained the winner of it for the past seven years, following on from the previous victories of Winx (four times) and Verry Elleegant.

And the accolades didn't end there for Nature Strip and his connections as he was also crowned Champion Sprinter, while Waller chalked up a double-figure feat of his own with his 10th-straight Bart Cummings Award as Australia's Champion Group 1 Trainer.

Nature Strip's regular rider, James McDonald, won the award for Champion Group 1 Jockey, which he also took out last year.

Star Godolphin galloper Anamoe was another notable winner on the night, named Champion 3YO Colt or Gelding, narrowly ahead of dual Derby winner Hitotsu, with five votes separating the pair.

Australian Racing Award Winners

Australian Racehorse of the Year: Nature Strip

Champion 2YO: Fireburn

Champion 3YO Filly: Gypsy Goddess

Champion 3YO Colt or Gelding: Anamoe

Champion Sprinter: Nature Strip

Champion Middle Distance: Zaaki

Champion Stayer: Verry Elleegant

Champion Jumper: Saunter Boy

Bart Cummings Award: Chris Waller

Champion Group One Jockey: James McDonald

Racing.com

Image Widden Stud