Trainer Robert Heathcote has gained some solace for the defeat of Buffering in the Moir Stakes with the star sprinter named Queensland's Horse of the Year for the second year running.

Buffering was found to be lame after the Moir at Moonee Valley on Friday night but Heathcote is confident he can get him back for next month's Manikato Stakes.

The Moir Stakes, which was run at Group One level for the first time this year, brought up the 10th second place finish at the highest level for Buffering.

Although he didn't manage to win a Group One last season, Buffering's victories in three Group Two races - the Moir, Schillaci and Victory Stakes - earned him Racing Queensland's highest award.

Despite Heathcote being the only Queensland-based trainer to prepare a Group One winner last season, courtesy of Solzhenitsyn's win in the Toorak Handicap, he missed out on the award for Queensland Trainer of the Year.

That title went to Kelso Wood who prepared Magic Millions Classic winner Real Surreal and black type winners Sizzling, Someday and Belltone.

Heathcote was recognised as the metropolitan premiership trainer while Michael Cahill earned two awards including Queensland jockey of the year.

Apprentice Tegan Harrison, who broke the record for most wins by a female rider in Queensland last season, earned the RQ Gold award.

Melbourne Cup winning jockey Mel Schumacher was inducted into Queensland's Hall Of Fame along with trainer Roy Dawson, race caller Wayne Wilson and champion sire Smokey Eyes.