Sport
17 August, 2026
Local trainer, jockey best in the region
MAREEBA horse trainer Alex Malliff has capped off a very successful racing season with 19 wins in the Far North Country Racing Association, earning him Trainer of the Year.
Also sharing in the spoils was Atherton jockey Lacey Morrison, who was named Jockey of the Year after notching up 35 wins for the season, which rolls over on 1 August each year.
The achievements were announced as part of the Far North Country Racing Association (FNCRA) awards, which also named Cairns horse Impardo as Horse of the Year with five wins.
Malliff was stoked to finally see his hard work pay off.
“I’ve gone close a couple of times, so to finally win it this year was pretty special. Nineteen country wins is a super season by all means, so I’m really happy with that,” he said.
“We won four Country Cups this season, which is outstanding, including Einasleigh and Atherton. We also won the Ingham Gold Cup and we won the Cup at Laura as well, which don’t count towards the Far North premiership but still an outstanding season.
“The honours were shared as well. We had three different horses winning the four Cups. Air Jordan’s probably a bit special – he won two Cups in a row and he’s going well now. We’re heading towards the Amateurs with him actually, so that’ll be a bit exciting as well.”
Malliff has 18 horses in his stables at the Mareeba Turf Club and won an eighth (12.5%) of all races conducted in the FNCRA area.
“It’s been a very impressive season for Alex,” FNCRA chair Rhonda Stevens said.
“The local racing season as a whole for 2026 has seen great racing this year, with 31 race meetings and 156 races over the FNCRA ranging from Oak Park, Einasleigh, Mt Garnet, Atherton, Mareeba, Gordonvale, Innisfail, Laura, and Cooktown areas.
“Trainers from as far south of Mackay attend these meetings on a regular basis.”
Malliff and Morrison will be presented with their awards at the Atherton Turf Club’s Annuals Ball on 12 September, which will feature the Melbourne Cup itself.
