Champion sprinter Lankan Rupee has beaten Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente in the battle for Australia’s Horse of the Year honours for 2013/14.

Trained by Mick Price, Lankan Rupee won seven of his eight starts in the past season, including three at Group One level, to earn the world No.1 ranking among sprinters.

Votes were lodged on a 3-2-1 basis by 60 members of the racing media and chief handicappers throughout Australia with Lankan Rupee tallying 145 votes to Fiorente’s 121 and It’s A Dundeel on 41.

It is a the sixth time in the past eight years a sprinter has taken Australia’s highest honour with Black Caviar winning the past three.

Fiorente, who gave Gai Waterhouse her first Melbourne Cup, was named champion stayer while It’s A Dundeel was the champion middle distance performer.

Both horses are now in their first season at stud.

Sheikh Mohammed’s Blue Diamond Stakes winner Earthquake was named the best juvenile while her stablemate Guelph was the champion three-year-old filly.

Cox Plate winner Shamus Award was a comfortable winner of the three-year-old colt or gelding while Gotta Take Care took out his first champion jumper title.

Premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller was honoured with the Bart Cummings Award for a second successive year as Australia’s most successful Group One trainer while Nash Rawiller was the champion Group One jockey for the fourth time in six years.

AWARD WINNERS:

Horse of the Year: Lankan Rupee.

Two-Year-Old: Earthquake (153).

Three-Year-Old Filly: Guelph (123).

Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding: Shamus Award (162).

Sprinter: Lankan Rupee.

Middle Distance: It’s a Dundeel.

Stayer: Fiorente.

Jumper of the Year: Gotta Take Care

Champion sire: Redoute’s Choice.

Bart Cummings Award (Champion Group One trainer): Chris Waller.

Champion Group One jockey: Nash Rawiller.