HRI award nominees reflect the rich seam of quality in the sport at present

THE NOMINEES for the sixth annual Horse Racing Ireland awards underline the rich seam of quality in the sport at present.

It has been another remarkable season for Irish Flat racing, with Irish horses winning 29 of the 44 Group 1 races in Britain and Ireland. Such is reflected in the Horse of the Year category where all the nominees emanate from the Flat and are multiple Group 1 winners.

Irish trainers and jockeys continued to excel at all levels, with Aidan O’Brien becoming champion trainer in both Britain and Ireland, recording 22 Group 1’s to date internationally. Jim Bolger has also been a dominant force on both the domestic and international Group 1 scene, recording 7 victories at the highest level, while David Wachman also made a notable impact at Group 1 level, with three 2-y-o triumphs.