Valpolicella Named Queensland GOTY

VALPOLICELLA has been crowned Queensland's 2024 Greyhound of the Year.

It follows her crowning as NSW Greyhound of the Year in 2024 as well.

The Tony Zammit-trained superstar won 20 races in 2024 from 37 starts headlined by wins in the Group 1 Gold Cup at Albion Park, Group 1 Zoom Top at The Meadows, and The 715 at The Gardens in track record time.

The Sandro Bechini-bred and owned bitch also won the G2 Summer Distance Plate and was placed in the G1 Sandown Cup, G3 Origin Distance Final and G3 Super Stayers Invitational.

Valpolicella defeated fellow finalists All Natural and Autumn Storm, both of who enjoyed highly consistent 2024 seasons.

"Valpolicella was already one of the nation's premier chasers, but her Group 1 victories continued to solidify that status in the 2024 season, making her a deserving winner of the Greyhound of the Year Award," Racing Minister Tim Mander said.

"Off the back of last year's hugely successful winter and summer carnivals, and with the opening of the world-class facility The Q just around the corner, it is fantastic to see the greyhound code continue to go from strength-to-strength in the Sunshine State."

The Zammit family also celebrated with Selena Zammit receiving the Women in Racing award. Selena prepared greyhound of the year finalist All Natural.

Autumn Storm's trainer Tom Tzouvelis did not go home empty-handed, with his black dog Valhalla being crowned the Capalaba Greyhound of the Year, while Tzouvelis took out the club's Trainer of the Year award.

The Sandra Hunt-trained Kahlo Hayze was crowned the Brisbane Greyhound of the Year after 19 wins and seven placings from 33 starts, while Cyndie Elson took out her sixth straight Brisbane Trainer of the Year Award.

The Outstanding Contribution Award, which was introduced in 2019 to recognise the tireless efforts of volunteers within the industry, was bestowed upon Townsville Club president Gary Heath.

Trainer Martina Kirillidis was awarded the Young Achiever Award for a season that amassed 78 wins and 200 placings from 560 starts for the 25-year-old, while Bruce Timbs took home the Darryl & Maree Heck Brisbane Trainers Strike Rate Award.

The Belford Family and Faithful Hawk were inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Interestingly, the Peter Rayner owned and trained Faithful Hawk was a Qld and NSW greyhound of the year in the same year, a feat achieved by Valpolicella for her 2024 racetrack deeds, and a feat also achieved by another Tony Zammit-trained bitch in Trojan Tears, the Michael and Helen Ivers superstar.

Other award winners were:

Garrards Run of the Year – Flying Zulu

Brisbane Dam of the Year – Nan's Magic

Brisbane Sire of the Year – Fernando Bale

Bundaberg Greyhound of the Year – Paris Will Wait

Bundaberg Trainer of the Year – Stephen Bland

Ipswich Greyhound of the Year – Vienna On Call

Ipswich Trainer of the Year – Ned Snow

Rockhampton Greyhound of the Year – Edgewood

Rockhampton Trainer of the Year – Juanita Thompson

Townsville Greyhound of the Year – Showtime Isaac

Townsville Trainer of the Year – Bobbie-Jean Chaffey