HRI award nominees announced

HORSE RACING Ireland last night announced the nominees for the 2005 HRI awards.

This is the third year of these awards which are voted on by the Irish Racing media as a recognition of excellence in the sport of horse racing each year.

2005 was Irish horse racing's year, delivering success after success in many of the top contests at home and abroad. Irish horses, jockeys and trainers took on, and beat, the world's best - enjoying nine winners at Cheltenham, eight winners at Aintree, four winners at Royal Ascot at York, victories in the King George VI Chase, the English Grand National, the Betfred Gold Cup, the Totesport Trophy Hurdle, the Arlington Million, the English 1000 and 2000 Guineas, the English St Leger, the Coral Eclipse Stakes, the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes and the Nassau Stakes.