Racing writers honour Dettori and McCoy with top awards in London
Tony McCoy was named National Hunt jockey of the year for the eighth successive time, with Best Mate’s handler Henrietta Knight picking up the trainer award.
International trainer of the year was Ed Dunlop, whose season was highlighted by the success of Ouija Board in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf, while owner of the year was the HWPA’s patron Lord Derby, who owns the dual Classic winner.
Alan Lee of the Times justified favouritism to land the the title of journalist of the year
He beat off competition from the Racing Post’s Alastair Down, the Daily Mail’s Colin McKenzie and the Independent’s Richard Edmondson to collect the Clive Graham Trophy in front of almost 800 guests at the Derby Awards luncheon at the Royal Lancaster Hotel.
Lee was the evens favourite to snap up the award with Blue Square, who sponsor the ceremony.
A new award this year was that of broadcaster of the year and the Sir Peter O’Sullevan Trophy went to the BBC’s Clare Balding, joint recipient 12 months ago of the journalist of the year award.
The stable staff of the year award was shared by three people who have spent an average of over 35 years in the industry - Jock Brown of Sir Michael Stoute’s yard, Brian Clotworthy from Henry Candy’s stable and Ian Willder of the Barry Hills team.
Each received £500 from sponsors Blue Square, presented by chief executive Martin Belsham.
The photographer of the year award went to Dan Abraham.
Award winners:
International trainer: Ed Dunlop.
NH jockey: Tony McCoy.
George Ennor Trophy: Peter Willett.
NH trainer: Henrietta Knight.
Flat jockey: Frankie Dettori.
Owner: Lord Derby.
Stable staff: Jock Brown, Brian Clothworthy, Ian Willder.
Flat trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor.
President’s Award: George Ennor.
Photographer: Dan Abraham.
Broadcaster: Clare Balding (BBC).
Journalist: Alan Lee (The Times).
Meanwhile, plans remain firmly on hold for the great Limestone Lad, arguably the most popular hurdler to have run either side of the Irish Sea in recent years.
The winner of an amazing 35 races and over half a million pounds in prize-money has been on the sidelines through injury since his third to Baracouda in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham last year.
Michael Bowe, son and assistant to his father James, said: “The problem is still there in his tendon, but he is out in the field every day and he’s put in at night.
“He looks a picture, but I wasn’t going to bring him back unless I could bring him back to his former glory days.
“The horse has a tremendous record and I didn’t want to spoil that. He owes nothing to no-one here.
“This season looks like it has gone at the moment and next season he’ll be 13 rising 14, and where do you go from there?”
