Mossman sprinter-miler Crack Me Up has been named Queensland Horse of the Year for 2017-18.

His jubilant connections received the trophy that highlighted the annual awards night at Sofitel Central Hotel in Brisbane on Sunday.

The ceremony marked another record-breaking night for Vinery Stud sire Mossman.  His iconic sprinter Buffering won five Queensland Horse of the Year titles from 2012 until 2016.

Crack Me Up was trained by Liam Birchley to kick-start his 4yo season in the Recognition Stakes LR at Doomben last November.  Transferred south, he added the Villiers Stakes Gr.2 & Liverpool City Cup Gr.3 at Randwick for Bjorn Baker.

Earlier in his career, Crack Me Up had won 2yo black-type in the Dalrello Stakes LR at Toowoomba and he banked more as a 3yo in the Sunshine Coast Guineas Gr.3 & Tatt’s Mile LR.

A $60,000 buy at the 2015 Gold Coast Magic Millions, he has earned $727,250 for a syndicate managed by Mark and Robert McLean.  His dam Chuckle (Danehill) won a Dark Jewel Classic LR at Scone and she also foaled NZ & Kentucky stakes winner Hoofit from an earlier mating with Mossman.

Described by Birchley as a ‘proper professional’, Crack Me Up is currently in Melbourne where his spring carnival commenced with a first-up fifth in the Bobby Lewis Hcp Gr.2 at Flemington on Saturday.

The Bobby Lewis winner Dothraki is another top-class son of Mossman with more than $1.45 million in prizemoney credited to Triple Crown Syndications.  Now an 8yo and being written off as past his prime, Dothraki returned to form with a tough win that’s typical of the breed.

Mossman was retired after 18 books at Vinery and there a dozen new-season yearlings from his final crop.  His sire Success Express was also pensioned after 18 books and was pampered by Vinery staff for many years until signing off aged 30.

Longevity runs in the family.  Key Business, a 28 year-old son of Success Express, also covered 18 (!!) books at Rangeview Stud in Western Australia before his retirement in 2014.   His best was G1 Winterbottom Stakes winner Barakey.

Congratulation to the owners of Crack Me Up:  Mark Mclean, Robert Mclean, Joe Chapman, Steve Achilles, Hervey Jump Out Syndicate (Simone Murtagh, David Wheldon, Philip Usher), Scott Webber, Scott Edmondstone, Russell Heritage, Peter Daniel, Jayne Maddison, Les Maddison, John Ford, Graham Ford, Jamie McIntosh, Craig Cygler, Chris Wessel, Tina Wessel and Dinah Aram.