Champion stayer Kitasan Black was a double winner when the Japan Racing Association announce its awards for 2016.

Kitasan Black won both the JRA Horse of the Year and Best Older Colt or Horse award.

In the voting for the Horse of the Year award Kitasan Black received 134 votes out of a possible 291 from triple G1 winner Maurice (90 votes) and St Leger and Arima Kinen winner Satono Diamond (66 votes).

The Horse of the Year title is selected by the Horse of the Year Selection Committee represented by journalists of various newspapers and magazines.

In 2016 Kitasan Black won three of his six starts including the G1 Tenno Sho Spring and G1 Japan Cup.

Owner Saburo Kitajima said: “I am deeply thrilled and thankful that my horse, Kitasan Black, has been recognized with the prestigious Horse of the Year award.

“I wish to express my thanks to not only those in the horse racing industry, but also to all the racing fans who rooted for him.

“We will continue to give it our best with Kitasan Black again this year, so I thank you in advance for your ongoing support.”

Trainer Hisashi Shimizu said he was thrilled to have a horse like Kitasan Black.

“Rarely do we come across a horse of his calibre and I am extremely grateful for it,” he said.

“He really is something special.”

2016 JRA AWARDS

Horse of the Year: Kitasan Black

Best Older Horse: Kitasan Black

2YO Colt: Satono Ares

2YO Filly: Soul Stirring

3YO Colt: Satono Diamond

3YO Filly: Sinhalite

Older Mare: Marialite

Sprinter/Miler: Mikki Isle

Dirt Horse: Sound True

Steeplechase Horse: Oju Chosan

Special Award: Maurice

TRAINERS & JOCKEYS

Best Trainer (races won): Yoshito Yahagi (61 wins)

Best Trainer (winning average): Noriyuki Hori (0.201%)

Best Trainer (money earned): Noriyuki Hori (1,945,108,600 Yen)

Best Trainer (training technique): Noriyuki Hori

Best Jockey (races won): Keita Tosaki (187 wins)

Best Jockey (winning average): Christophe Lemaire (0.237%)

Best Jockey (money earned): Christophe Lemaire (4,040,748,000 Yen)

Most Valuable Jockey: Keita Tosaki 58 points

Steeplechase Jockey: Shinichi Ishigami (15 wins)

Best Newcomer: Takuya Kowata (45 wins)

Special Award (jockey): Shigefumi Kumazawa