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.

In the saddle, Johnny Murtagh and his Ballydoyle understudy Seamie Heffernan enjoyed career-best seasons on the back of the astounding success of Aidan O’Brien, while Kevin Manning also enjoyed many top-level successes including the Epsom Derby.

In the National Hunt sphere, trainer Willie Mullins was on fire at the end of season Punchestown Festival, with eight winners bringing his seasonal total to 111. The €2.23m prize money he earned was enough to give him a third Champion Trainers’ championship while for the sixth time, Ruby Walsh was crowned Champion NH Jockey with 131 winners to Davy Russell’s gallant 125.

The winners will be announced at a reception in the Shelbourne Hotel on Monday 8th December.

The awards nominees are:

Horse of the Year: Duke of Marmalade, Halfway to Heaven, Henrythenavigator, Lush Lashes, New Approach, Yeats

National Hunt: Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh, Davy Russell, John Queally, Barry Geraghty

Flat: Jim Bolger, Kevin Manning, Johnny Murtagh, Aidan O’Brien, Seamus Heffernan

Outstanding Achievement: Ger Lyons, Patrick Mullins, Paddy Flood, David Wachman, Henry De Bromhead

Point-To-Point: Derek O’Connor, Clare McMahon, JT McNamara, Eugene O’Sullivan

Contribution to the Industry: A special award which will be announced on the day of the awards.