All hail the new King

MOLTO BELLA – that was the phrase on everyone’s lips after Harness Racing SA announced its prestigious Horse of the Year awards during last Friday night’s gala function.

A host of titles were claimed throughout the evening, but ultimately it was Bellezza Nera which became the toast of the industry.

Following a highly-successful 2025, which netted 10 wins and nine placings from 27 starts, Bellezza Nera was crowned South Australian Horse of the Year.

Prepared by astute horseman David Harding, the son of Rock N Roll Heaven was also recognised as the Five-Year-Old and Older Pacing Stallion/Gelding of the Year.

Runner-up during his debut for Harding, Bellezza Nera was triumphant in the Kadina Pacing Cup.

Quickly establishing himself among the state’s open class pacers, Bellezza Nera was also triumphant in the Adelaide Cup, along with numerous Saturday night races.

Winner of the Gawler Pacing Cup, Delightfull Tammy was judged Five-Year-Old and Older Pacing Mare of the Year on the strength of her four wins and 11 placings for trainer Toby Ryan.

Stablemates Ebonys Avenger and Phoebe Onyx were victorious in the same categories for trotters.

The duo were trained by Ryan Hryhorec, as was Cadence Lane – winner of the Four-Year-Old Trotting Mare of the Year.

Ideology and Ten Eagles – also members of Hryhorec’s stable – were recognised as Two and Three-Year-Old Trotters of the Year.

In a huge night for Hryhorec, he was also acknowledged as the state’s premier trainer as well as being the recipient of the prestigious Jim Hurley Medal.

It’s the fourth time Hryhorec has secured the Medal, following his anointment in

Another highlight of the evening was inspirational horsewoman Dani Hill adding the Chairman’s Award to her four Hurley Medals, while Peter Medhurst was bestowed the Nevada Smoke Special Achievement Award.

Full list of HRSA Award winners:
2YO Pacing Filly                                        2YO Pacing Colt/Gelding
Centrefold Star                                                 Hez So Royal
3YO Pacing Filly                                        3YO Pacing Colt/Gelding
Sea Salt                                                               Always Dancing
4YO Pacing Mares                                    4YO Pacing Entires/Gelding
Harro Hill                                                          Hezrockinroyalty
5YO & Older Pacing Mares                    5YO & Older Pacing Entires/Geld
Delightfull Tammy                                          Bellezza Nera
2YO Trotter                                                 3YO Trotter
Ideology                                                             Ten Eagles
4YO Trotting Mare                                   4YO Trotting Entire/Geld
Cadence Lane                                                   Bishop George
5YO & Older Trotting Mare                   5YO & Older Trotting Entire/Geld
Ebonys Avenger                                               Phoebe Onyx
Pacing Broodmare of the Year            Trotting Broodmare of the Year
Steam Washed                                                  Aldebaran Crumpet

STATISTICAL AWARD
Leading State Trotter: Beware The Fury
Leading State Pacer – John Vincent
Leading Young Driver – Corey Johnson
Leading Concession Driver – Jason Kittel
Leading State Driver – Wayne Hill
Leading State Trainer – Ryan Hryhorec
HRSA MEDIA AWARD: Piranha Media
NEVADA SMOKE SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Peter Medhurst
2025 CHAIRMANS AWARD: Dani Hill
JIM HURLEY MEDAL: Ryan Hryhorec
2025 HORSE OF THE YEAR: Bellezza Nera