Mister Panon has taken out the Geraldton Turf Club’s horse of the year title after a stellar season in which he racked up 36 points, narrowly defeating talented gallopers Sasse De Blishke and Vital Power.

The seven-year-old gelding won four of his last six starts and trainer Barry Newnham said the horse had done a super job.

“He is very deserving of the recognition,” he said.

“This horse had been passed around by a few big-name trainers down in Perth who believed he was done racing and would make a hack or pleasure horse.

“I took him on and we definitely proved them all wrong.

“He just didn’t stop winning this season and has become a very valuable racehorse.”

Newnham said he believed the secret to Mister Panon’s new lease on life was taking him away from a large-scale racing stable and trying him out over a few jumps every now and then. “We switched his racing mind off and it turns out that he thrives in the jumping arena and has a real talent,” Newnham said.

“He is sound, eats well, and has just been a super horse to train.

“He is a lovely horse to have around the house as well.

“He is a real pet and just enjoys roaming around.”

Newnham decided to send Mister Panon to race in Perth in January to try his luck but unfortunately the gelding didn’t travel well and struggled in the heat.

The Geraldton trainer has plans to send him back down to Ascot later this month for one more shot before a well-deserved spell.

He will race again at his home track once the break is over and Newnham is hopeful of more success.

“If not, I am sure he will find great success in the showjumping arena,” he said.

HORSE OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Geraldton Stockfeeds.

Mister Panon 36; Sasse De Blishke 34; Vital Power 34; Pack Of Stars 25; Truly Gold 25.

TRAINER OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Mitchell & Brown.

Gordon Spowart 184; Sarah Childs 94.5; Tony Scally 78; Meryl Hayley 75; Ron Cowl 69.

JOCKEY OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by Sandy Harrison Jewellers. Troy Turner 112; Peter Knuckey 109; Robert Markou 101.5; Fred Kersley 94.

APPRENTICE JOCKEY OF THE YEAR

Sponsored by K. Holly & G. Ryan.

Fred W Kersley 94; Randy Tan 59; Chelsi Forder 36; Tayla Stone 36.