By Daithi Harvey
Horse Racing Ireland hosted their annual awards luncheon in Leopardstown on Monday. Outgoing HRI Chairman Joe Keeling was among the early speakers and he looked back on the last five years of his tenure as chairman, focusing on some of the improvements that have come about in the period, such as total prizemoney, which has increased from €44m in 2012 to €60m in 2017. Keeling then introduced Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed who spoke about the importance of the racing and breeding industry to the Irish economy and reaffirmed the Government's support of the sector. Creed also acknowledged the role of prizemoney in promoting the industry and said, “Increased prizemoney helps to ensure Ireland remains competitive internationally. Owners are the lifeblood of the industry and increased race values are a vital tool in encouraging both new owners to engage with the sport and existing owners and syndicates to reinvest.”
There were seven awards presented during the afternoon, beginning with the contribution to the industry award and it was Aidan O'Brien, off the back of a record breaking year, who was this year's recipient. The master of Ballydoyle, who broke the record held by Bobby Frankel for the number of Group 1 winners trained in a calendar year, accepted the award in typical self deprecating fashion passing on his appreciation to his family and team at Ballydoyle and Coolmore. Among those from outside the industry who paid tribute to O'Brien's phenomenal achievements via video link were Ireland's head rugby coach Joe Schmidt, Kilkenny Hurling coach Brian Cody, golfer Padraig Harrington, snooker player Ken Doherty, former Irish international soccer player Niall Quinn and Ireland's Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.
As we have seen on the track this past year whenever O'Brien scores a major victory his son Joseph is often snapping at his heels and on occasions gets the better of his father. O'Brien junior picked the G1 Emirates Melbourne Cup as one of those occasions when he bested Aidan and that famous victory with Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) was enough to see the 24-year-old secure the Outstanding Achievement Award.
The epic battle between Colin Keane and former multiple champion jockey Pat Smullen was also one of the season's highlights and Keane's 100 winners was enough to deny Smullen a tenth Irish jockeys title and for him to clinch HRI's 2017 Flat Award.
Jessica Harrington scored with some classy flat operators this year such as 'TDN Rising Star' Alpha Centauri (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) and Torcedor (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) but it was her jumps exploits with the likes of G1 Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Sizing John (GB) (Midnight Legend {GB}) and Boylesports Irish Grand National winner Our Duke (Ire) (Oscar) that saw her presented with the National Hunt Award. Harrington's Sizing John, whose owner Alan Potts died recently was also voted Horse of the Year following a rare trio of top level staying chase victories that also included the G1 Stan James Irish Gold Cup at Leopardstown and the G1 Coral Punchestown Gold Cup.
Wexford amateur jockey Barry O'Neill was a deserving winner of the Point To Point award while Down Royal's efforts in providing a good mix of entertainment, atmosphere and quality facilities saw it win the Racecourse of the Year award.
Commenting on some of the achievements from the last twelve months HRI chief executive, Brian Kavanagh, said, “2017 saw Irish-trained and Irish-bred horses continue to raise the bar both internationally and here at home. Aidan O'Brien has been setting a standard for over two decades and this year went one step further with a phenomenal world record 27 Group 1 wins. From an unforgettable Cheltenham with a record 19 Irish-trained winners, right through to the Melbourne Cup success for Joseph O'Brien, this has been a year to remember and celebrate.”
2017 HRI AWARD WINNERS
- Contribution to the Industry Award: Aidan O'Brien
- Horse of the Year Award: Sizing John
- National Hunt Award: Jessica Harrington
- Flat Award: Colin Keane
- Outstanding Achievement Award: Joseph O'Brien
- Point-To-Point Award: Barry O'Neill
- Racecourse of the Year Award: Down Royal Racecourse
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