The winners of the 2016 Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Awards were announced at Leopardstown Racecourse yesterday, at a reception attended by many of the industry’s leading trainers, jockeys and owners.
Guest of honour was Minister of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD and guests were welcomed by Chairman of HRI, Joe Keeling.
Government concerns over the reputation damage to Irish Racing over the row concerning the process of reappointing CEO of Horse racing Ireland Brian Kavanagh were played down by the Minister who said that the industry should remain focused on its international leadership which “could not be underestimated but should not be taken for granted.”
Minding, trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Michael Tabor, was given the Horse of the Year Award.
She won five of the seven Group 1 races she contested this year. She was successful in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May and the Epsom Oaks before taking the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October.
Read more about the Business of racing on Sport for Business
The National Hunt Award went to Champion Trainer Willie Mullins, who had another fantastic season with 34 Grade 1 wins worldwide, including seven at the Cheltenham Festival. Willie also saddled six Grade 1 winners at the Punchestown Festival, won the Guinness Galway Hurdle in July and enjoyed a first Classic winner with Wicklow Brave in the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger at the Curragh.
Aidan O’Brien won the Flat Award after a truly remarkable year where he enjoyed 22 Group 1 wins worldwide along with a 1-2-3 in both the Newmarket 1,000 Guineas and the Prix De l’Arc De Triomphe. Champion Trainer in Ireland once again with 117 victories, he was also Champion Trainer in Britain with 13 Group 1 victories alone.
His win this year sets the record a bit straighter with it only being the second he has won in the history of the Awards, despite his dominance not only in Ireland but around the world.
The Contribution to the Industry Award went to the matriarch of the Mullins racing dynasty, Mrs Maureen Mullins. Maureen has been part of the Irish racing landscape for the best part of six decades and was married to one of Ireland’s greatest ever trainers, the late Paddy Mullins.
“It was a pleasure to present the Contribution to the Industry award to a very special lady who is a most deserving winner,” said Brian Kavanagh.
See who emerged as winners at this year’s Sport Industry Awards
“From the likes of Hurry Harriet, Dawn Run, Grabel and Vintage Tipple, Maureen has witnessed the highs of racing on many occasions and is without doubt one of the most popular figures on the Irish racing scene.”
Trainer Mouse Morris won the Outstanding Achievement Award, which was decided by both the Irish racing media and racing fans. Mouse remarkably saddled the winner of both the Irish Grand National and the Aintree Grand National in the same season. Rogue Angel and Ger Fox prevailed in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National, while just 12 days later, Rule The World and David Mullins won the Aintree Crabbie’s Grand National.
Jockey Jamie Codd picked up the Point-To-Point Award after winning a second national rider’s title despite suffering a serious injury on the opening day of the season. Jamie also guided Cause Of Causes to a second consecutive Cheltenham Festival win before deputising aboard On The Fringe to win the Aintree Foxhunters and he also recorded a first winner at the Galway Festival.
The Racecourse of the Year Award went to Galway Racecourse. It was selected by the Racegoers’ Consultative Forum based upon the best all-round customer experience.
“The Horse Racing Ireland Awards allow us to shine the spotlight on the amazing achievements in Irish racing throughout the year, ” said Chairman of HRI Joe Keeling.
