Fly among six Horse of the Year contenders

Hurricane Fly is among the six in contention for the Horse of the Year award after the nominees for the 11th annual Horse Racing Ireland Awards were announced yesterday.

The dual Champion Hurdle winner is one of six horses in the running for the award. English 2000 Guineas winner Dawn Approach, Juddmonte International Stakes winner Declaration of War, Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Magician, Quevega and Sir Des Champs make up the shortlist. The nominees in the National Hunt category are Bryan Cooper, Tony Martin, Willie Mullins, Davy Russell and Ruby Walsh.

The Flat nominees are Jim Bolger, Kevin Manning, Johnny Murtagh, Aidan O’Brien and Joseph O’Brien. The Point-to-Point category includes trainers Gordon Elliott, Declan McNamara and Rodger Sweeney and Jockeys Jamie Codd and Derek O’Connor.