The Victorian Greyhound Awards took place at Melbourne’s Crown Casino this evening in celebration of the 2018-19 Racing Season.
Champion sprinter Orson Allen was announced the Victorian Greyhound of the Year, as adjudged by the seven-person panel, based on performances between 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019.
During that time the fawn superstar won numerous feature races, most notably the Perth Cup and Harrison-Dawson – both Group 1 events – as well as two country cups and the Shootout.
The Correy Grenfell-trained greyhound was also named the Victorian Sprinter of the Year, while Tornado Tears was named the Stayer of the Year.
Two new inductees entered GRV’s Hall of Fame – one of the all-time great sprinters, Fernando Bale and Warrnambool’s iconic Norm McCullagh, trainer of the legendary Bold Trease and current star Crimson Vixen.
Accomplished breeder and long-time Sandown GRC administrator David Gleeson received the Ken Carr Medal, while Lara breeder trainer David Geall was presented with the Ned Bryant ‘Silver Fox’ Award.
Anakie’s Andrea Dailly was once again named the Metropolitan and Provincial Trainer of the Year, while Julie Mathieson of Greyhound Safety Net received the GRV Board Welfare Award for her efforts in rehoming former racing greyhounds, and Shepparton GRC President Tracey Fothergill was the recipient of the first ever GRV Board Leadership Award.