In recognition of Max Fowler OAM Of Coolegong Stud, near Young, NSW, the Federal Council instigated this prestigious award to be awarded to the Champion Led Gelding of the competition beginning in 2003 in conjunction with the then Annual Clydesdale Sale at Wodonga which Max as first NSW Branch President, officially opened in 1977.
In 2005, delegates decided to move it for competition in a different State, annually in rotation.The trophy was made from a piece of River Red Gum from Wagga Wagga, NSW and features a shoe made by UK blacksmith and farrier David Gulley from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, UK.
Max and his brother John formed the partnership “Fowler Bros” and were notable breeders.The Scottish imported mare Craigie Golden Queen which Max bought for 500 pounds the day before judging at Sydney Royal held her own at the show taking out Reserve Champion mare behind Harmonessa (imp), and the photo below shows an impressive show team of their imports at Young Show NSW in 1940.
Max, along with Norm Sippell from Queensland, was one of only two judges to have officiated at all three Eastern States’ Royal Shows in just over a 12-month period while it was possible.
Max also judged at Tamworth Show twice, exactly 55 years apart: 1936 and 1991, and was invited to judge at Sydney in 1995; exactly 60 years after he exhibited Craigie Golden Queen there and was first elected to the NSW Brach committee. Max was fittingly awarded an OAM for services to the field of agriculture (horses) in June 1998.
MAX FOWLER AWARD WINNERS
| YEAR | STATE | HORSE’S NAME | OWNER |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Victoria | Caniambo Whistler | TR & AC Hillis Benalla VIC |
| 2004 | Victoria | Aarunga The Phantom | AT Marriott & Sons Benalla VIC |
| 2005 | Queensland | Eucalypt Park Chieftain | T Barton Thagoona QLD |
| 2006 | Western Australia | Beereega Cardale | J. Vadala Mahogany Creek WA |
| 2007 | South Australia | Cancelled due to outbreak of Equine Influenza across Australia | |
| 2008 | South Australia | Glenquarry McGregor | MR & MC Hinkley Lonsdale SA |
| 2009 | Victoria | Aarunga The Phantom | AT Marriott & Sons Benalla VIC |
| 2010 | New South Wales | Triluck Major | TJ & JA Peel Wagga Wagga NSW |
| 2011 | Queensland | Montana Park Damon | C Gorwyn & P Lowry Allora QLD |
| 2012 | Western Australia | Carlville Conductor | R Planke Wooroloo WA |
| 2013 | South Australia | McMurchie Dunfermline | LD & CD Sutherland Mt Compass SA |
| 2014 | Victoria | Meadow Lane Guineas | AT Marriott & Sons Benalla VIC |
| 2015 | New South Wales | McMurchie Ingram | Mr C & Mrs K Brown NSW |
| 2016 | Queensland | Glengallan Montana Sun | C Gorwyn & P Lowry QLD |
| 2017 | Western Australia | Benwerrin Flicka | T Deakin WA |
| 2018 | South Australia | Ben Koi Spitfire | Glenquarry Clydesdales SA |
| 2019 | Victoria | Meadow Lane Guineas | AT Marriott & Family VIC |
| 2020 | New South Wales | Not held due to COVID-19 | Not held due to COVID-19 |
| 2021 | New South Wales | Yattarna Park Flash Nash | Brendan Neil |
| 2022 | Queensland | Glengallan Montana Sun | C Gorwyn & P Lowry |
| 2023 | Western Australia | Dondale Ziggy Stardust | T Deakin |
| 2024 | South Australia | Landeau Park Basilius | K Piotrowski |
Max Fowler at left with Craigie Nobleman (imp), Craigie Dalsalloch (imp), Craigie Golden Queen (imp) and Collegong Belle (a filly out of Craigie May Queen (imp)). They won the First Place Group Prize at Young Show, NSW in 1940.