Atchison, who has been racing greyhounds for 40 years, bred Sergio, who won 12 races, including the New Zealand Cup during the season when trained by Gary Harding at Tirau.
Other nominees were Winsome Opawa, Dangle The Carat and Little Mother.
"It is a bit sad a winner had to be picked from the group," Atchison said.
Dogs trained by Dave and Jean Fahey at Balcairn took the awards for middle distance greyhound (Winsome Opawa) and distance greyhound (Dangle The Carat).
Dangle The Carat is back in work after two setbacks since she last raced in February, recording her 14th win in a row.
The bitch, who is owned by Jean Fahey, Sally Music and Janelle Parker, fractured a hock in a trial in Auckland.
She returned to Balcairn after two months and came in season so she was inseminated by the Australian-based Big Daddy Cool.
She whelped nine pups on June 3.
Dangle The Carat subsequently had a setback with a broken toe and damage to a ligament.
She has been back in work for two months.
The awards:
Sprinter: HiFi Allegro.
Middle distance: Winsome Opawa.
Distance: Dangle The Carat.
Dam: Love Of History (Firemans Salute, Know Rival, Know Question).
Sires: Big Daddy Cool.
NZ-bred: Winsome Opawa.
Young achiever: Calum Weir.
Personality: Mark Rosanowski.
Strike rate trainer: Gary Harding.
Trainer: John McInerney.
Greyhound of the Year: Sergio
