Celebrating Townsville Racing’s Best
Townsville Turf Club has celebrated the outstanding achievements of its local racing industry, recognising the leading horses and participants of the 2025–26 season at its annual Trainers & Jockeys Awards.
The evening recognised outstanding performances on the track, together with the trainers, jockeys, strappers and industry participants who continue to make an important contribution to racing in Townsville.
Georgie Holt was crowned Premiership Trainer after a dominant season, training 30 winners from 166 starters at Townsville at a winning strike rate of just over 18 per cent.
Holt finished an impressive 13 wins clear at the top of the premiership, providing a fitting conclusion to her time training in Townsville as she and Aidan Holt begin the next chapter of their careers in South East Queensland.
Ryan Wiggins secured back-to-back Townsville Jockey Premierships after another outstanding season in the saddle.
Wiggins rode 31 winners from 151 rides at a 20.5 per cent winning strike rate and finished five wins clear at the top of the premiership. He also recorded 70 top-three finishes from his 151 rides.
Fiona Sandkuhl was named Premiership Apprentice Jockey after recording 10½ wins from 116 rides, along with 11½ seconds and 14 thirds.
Sandkuhl's 36 top-three finishes also saw her finish sixth in the overall Townsville jockey standings against the senior riders.
MIND OVER MATTER NAMED HORSE OF THE YEAR
One of the stories of the season belonged to Mind Over Matter, trained by Townsville's Terry McGovern, who was named the 2025–26 Townsville Horse of the Year.
After beginning his career in New South Wales, Mind Over Matter was purchased online for just $15,000 by McGovern and brought north for a fresh start.
He went on to produce a perfect record in Townsville during the season – five starts for five wins.
Mind Over Matter earned the award from a particularly strong group of contenders that included Graham Hughes-trained Burraneer Buoy, who was subsequently recognised as Racing Queensland's Provincial Horse of the Year, and Matt McGuire's highly consistent Going Nuclear.
INDUSTRY RECOGNISES ITS OWN
Three awards were determined by votes from local racing industry participants, recognising contribution and respect amongst their peers.
Tattaum Lemos was named Strapper of the Year, Jo Hassett was voted Trainers' Trainer and Graham Kliese was named Biggest Personality.
Hassett then capped a memorable evening by receiving one of the Club's most significant honours, the Errol Sewell Club Person Award.
The award recognises a person who represents the Townsville Turf Club with distinction and makes an outstanding contribution to the Club and the wider racing community.
Townsville Turf Club CEO Wayne Croton said the awards provided an opportunity to celebrate another successful year for the Club and the local racing industry.
“It's been another tremendous year for the Townsville Turf Club, and I'm extremely proud of what the Club and our local racing industry have achieved throughout the 2025–26 season,” Mr Croton said.
“These awards celebrate our winners, but they also recognise the collective effort behind another successful year of racing in Townsville – our trainers, jockeys, strappers, owners, staff, volunteers, sponsors and supporters.
“The Club continues to grow and there is plenty to be excited about. We have some big plans for the year ahead and want to keep building on what we've achieved, continue improving our racing and events, and make 2026–27 an even bigger year for the Townsville Turf Club.
“Congratulations to all of our award winners and thank you to everyone who continues to contribute to and support racing in Townsville.”
2025–26 TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB AWARD WINNERS
Premiership Trainer: Georgie Holt
Premiership Jockey: Ryan Wiggins
Premiership Apprentice Jockey: Fiona Sandkuhl
Townsville Horse of the Year: Mind Over Matter
Strapper of the Year: Tattaum Lemos
Trainers' Trainer: Jo Hassett
Biggest Personality: Graham Kliese
Errol Sewell Club Person Award: Jo Hassett