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The finalists for the seven award categories at the 2015 BMW Australian Racehorse of the Year Awards have been revealed setting the stage for another intriguing battle for the title of the nation’s top galloper.

Racing’s night of nights, to be held on October 8 at the MCG, will commence with the official launch of the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival before the individual category winners and the overall BMW Australian Racehorse of the Year is announced.

Voted on by a national group of racing media and handicappers, the awards take into account performances by all horses on Australian tracks as well as international performances by Australian-trained horses during the 2014/2015 racing season from August 1 2014 to July 31 2015.

The five finalists in each category are the horses which have obtained the most votes with each of these finalists eligible for the BMW Australian Racehorse of the Year Award.

Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse boasts two finalists in the Champion Two-Year-Old of the Year Award, with Golden Slipper-winning colt Vancouver and the talented English acknowledged for their stand-out seasons on the track.

Peter and Paul Snowden’s Pride of Dubai, impressive Champagne Stakes-winner Pasadena Girl and Press Statement round out the two-year-old nominations.

A quality quintet of fillies have been nominated for the New Zealand Bloodstock Champion Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year Award including star West Australian Delicacy, John Thompson’s First Seal, and Oaks winners Gust of Wind, Set Square and Winx.

The Champion Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding of the Year Award boasts an impressive line-up of finalists – three of which are currently enjoying their first season in the breeding barn.

Recently retired stallions Brazen Beau, Hallowed Crown and Wandjina were recognised for their impressive three-year-old seasons, as were Doncaster Mile winner Kermadec and dual-nation Derby winner Mongolian Khan.

Reigning Australian Racehorse of the Year Lankan Rupee is one of five sprinters nominated for the Inglis Bloodstock Champion Sprinter of the Year Award title alongside Group 1-winning speedsters Brazen Beau, Chautauqua, Terravista and recently crowned Victorian Racehorse of the Year, Dissident.

In the Champion Middle Distance Racehorse of the Year Award category, 2014 Cox Plate winner Adelaide will battle it out with fellow internationally-bred galloper Contributer and star Australians Criterion, Dissident and Fawkner.

The 2014 Emirates Melbourne Cup quinella of Protectionist and Red Cadeaux have both been nominated for the Champion Stayer of the Year Award alongside fellow international and 2014 Caulfield Cup victor Admire Rakti. John O’Shea’s Hartnell and dual Group 1 winner Delicacy are the Australian representatives.

And in the Champion Jumper of the Year Award, evergreen steeplechaser Bashboy is one of five finalists alongside Thubiaan, Vatuvei, Lord Of The Song and Regina Coeli.

The category finalists, in alphabetical order, are as follows;

Champion Two-Year-Old: English; Pasadena Girl; Press Statement; Pride of Dubai; Vancouver

Champion Three-Year-Old Filly: Delicacy; First Seal; Gust of Wind; Set Square; Winx

Champion Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding: Brazen Beau; Hallowed Crown; Kermadec; Mongolian Khan; Wandjina

Champion Sprinter: Brazen Beau; Chautauqua; Dissident; Lankan Rupee; Terravista

Champion Middle Distance: Adelaide; Contributer; Criterion; Dissident; Fawkner

Champion Stayer: Admire Rakti; Delicacy; Hartnell; Protectionist; Red Cadeaux

Champion Jumper: Bashboy; Lord Of The Song; Regina Coeli; Thubiaan; Vatuvei

The finalists for the BMW Australian Racehorse of the Year will be announced at the Awards night.