HRI Horse of the Year nominees list a who's who of racing
Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs is among the nominees for Horse of the Year. Picture: Healy Racing
With the Epsom Derby, Coral Eclipse, Juddmonte International, Cheltenham Gold Cup, every conceivable stayers’ race on the Flat, the Stayers’ and Champion Hurdles at Cheltenham, and the Coronation and Falmouth Stakes amongst the overseas haul in yet another tremendously successful year for Irish-trained horses, it is little wonder the nominees for the Horse of the Year Award at next month’s HRI Awards reads like a who’s who of the sport of racing.
City Of Troy may have dirtied his bib at the beginning and end of his season but was flawless in between and deserves his inclusion alongside unbeaten stayer Kyprios and the classy Porta Fortuna. However, the National Hunt nominees are formidable, and Galopin Des Champs, who successfully defended his Gold Cup crown, is joined by Stayers’ winner Teahupoo and Champion Hurdler State Man.
