Altitude ‘horse of the year’

Press, 28 October 1982, Page 26

Altitude ‘horse of the year’

Special correspondent Wellington The brilliant but ill-fated Altitude has been named the 1981-82 Wrightson Horse of the Year. 1 Altitude was a clear winner of the award in a poll organised by the New Zealanding Racing Writers Association, gaining 27 of the 44 votes cast. Altitude had earlier been voted top three-year-old and was one of seven Bergin award winners in line for the horse of the year title. The others were McGinty (two-year-old), Our Shah (sprinter), Givenchy (miler). Chimbu (stayer). Prince Majestic (weight-for-age) and Grey Warbler (jumper). Second in the horse of the year voting was Prince Majestic (eight) closely followed by McGinty (seven). Grey Warbler received two votes.

Altitude, raced by the American, Mr Nelson Bunker Hunt, and trained at Matamata by Bill Ford, carried all before him until his unfortunate end in the New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie

on Boxing Day.. The Magnesia — High Trick colt was unbeaten in six starts as a three-year-old, leading up to the Derby. Starting off his campaign with a 1400 m lower grade win at Ellerslie. Altitude went on to record successive wins in the IZH Guineas Trial, Great Northern Guineas. New Zealand Two Thousand Guineas, Levin Turf Classic and Avondale Guineas. A winner at 1200 m as a two-year-old, his three-year-old successes extended up to distances of 2000 m and he was rarely tested. It was indeed a tragedy that the internal injuries he suffered in the New Zealand Derby were such that he was unable to recover. He could well have made an enormous impact on the New Zealand racing scene.

Nevertheless, in his short and spectacular career, he caught the imagination of the racing public and his deeds will not be easily forgotten.

In a career total of 11 starts, Altitude won eight times and was placed third and forth in two other starts. His total stake earnings were $128,235. He was ridden in all but his first two starts by Stephen Autridge and he, along with his regular attendant, Bernadette Murray, had a very close affinity to the horse.

The horse of the year award, as well as the Bergin awards, will be presented at a dinner to be held at the Awapuni racecourse on December 18.