The Kempsey horse trainer and owner found out this week his horse, Langfibian, was named the 2008-09 Mid North Coast Racing Association horse of the year.

Ratcliff – known as Redback – was ‘dumbfounded’ when he received the news of the award in the post earlier this week.

“Langfibian was the best thing that has ever happened to me since I married Lesley,” he said.

“When I heard about the award I thought you little beauty.

“I was a bit dumbfounded; I never thought she would get that award – but she is a little champion.”

Langfibian’s racing days are over, but it is not the last we will hear about the star sprinter.

She is currently in foul, to Ready’s Image son of More than Ready. Redback said Ready’s Image was the fastest two-year-old to race in America.

He is going to her ultrasound next week to see whether it will be a boy or girl.

Redback had nothing but good thing to say about Langfibian.

His best memory was when he claimed the richest race of his career when Langfibian won the $100,000 Bat Out Of Hell handicap on the Gold Coast on the first weekend of January this year.

She held on to win the 900m feature race of the day and collected the $64,000 winner’s cheque with Robert Agnew the winning jockey.

The eight-year-old Bay mare out of Langfuhr from Heaven’s Eyes has had a stellar racing career.

Her career prize money speaks for itself with an impressive $244,615. From 65 starts she has had 40 major placings including 18 wins. And she has only been out of the prize money on five occasions.

Redback bought Langfibian at the sales for $5000 for a client, but then he got stuck with him as he puts it – but I am sure he is not complaining now.

Other recipients of the Mid North Coast Racing Association included Peter Graham and Marlon Dolendo who were named joint-premier jockeys, while Vicki Schubert was awarded apprentice jockey of the year.

Port Macquarie trainer Neil Godbolt was named premier trainer of the year and Le Rhythm, who Godbolt trains was the winner of the most consistent local performer award.