Star Magic Millions graduate Melito was on Thursday night crowned the Luxbet.com NSW Champion Horse of the Year at Rosehill’s the Grand Pavilion.

Melito was the big winner of the NSWROA’s 2010 Racing’s Night of Champions function – also sweeping away with the NSW 3YO of the Year crown.

In the three-year-old award she beat fellow finalists Denman and Faint Perfume – while for those left in her wake for the big award included Metal Bender, Hot Danish, Rangirangdoo and Crystal Lily.

A multiple Group One winner in open age events during the season, Melito had a season to remember for her connections.

Purchased by trainer Gerald Ryan for $600,000 at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Melito sent her value soaring when she won the Group One TJ Smith Stakes impressively.

After four consecutive Group One placings she capped her campaign with a strong win in the final Group One race of the season, the Winter Stakes at Eagle Farm.

A daughter of the season’s champion sire Redoute’s Choice, Melito has earned over $1.5 million to date from just 18 runs.

Melito is one of three stakes performers produced by the beautifully bred and stakes winning Marauding mare Cloister.

Cloister, a winner of the Debutante Stakes at Caulfield as a two-year-old, is a three quarter sister to Unison and hails from the black type filled family of Zeditave.