Horse Racing Ireland nominations have been announced

26 stars of the racing industry have been revealed to win in the Horse Racing Ireland Awards 

The nominations for the 2016 annual Horse Racing Ireland Awards were announced today, with 26 stars of the racing industry in the running to win an award. RTE sports broadcaster Des Cahill will be master of ceremonies for the awards, which take place at Leopardstown Racecourse on Monday December 5th.

Awards are presented in seven categories: Horse of the Year, National Hunt Racing, Flat Racing, Point-to-Point Racing, Outstanding Achievement, Contribution to the Industry and Racecourse of the Year.

Four category winners are decided by a ballot of the Irish racing media – Horse of the Year, National Hunt, Flat and Point-to-Point.

Nominations for the Horse of the Year award include Annie Power, winner of the Stan James Champion Hurdle at the 2016 Cheltenham Festival; Cheltenham Timico Gold Cup winner Don Cossack, who shared the title at the 2015 awards; unbeaten novice chase star Douvan; Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winner, Found; dual Derby winner Harzand; recent Breeders’ Cup winner, Highland Reel and Investec Oaks and QIPCO 1,000 Guineas winner, Minding.

Trainers Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins and jockeys Jack Kennedy and Ruby Walsh are nominated in the National Hunt category.

The Flat nominees are trainers Aidan O’Brien and Dermot Weld and jockeys Seamie Heffernan and Pat Smullen.

The Point-to-Point category is made up of Enda Bolger, Jamie Codd, Wilson Dennison, Liz Lalor and Barry O’Neill.

The winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award is voted on by the Irish racing media and the general public through the HRI website or through forms available from HRI.

The nominees in this category, selected by the Irish racing media, include trainers Adrian Keatley, John Kiely, Mouse Morris and Kevin Prendergast. Jockey David Mullins has also been selected along with the Moyglare Stud Stakes winning trainer/jockey combination of brothers Joseph and Donnacha O’Brien.

The Contribution to the Industry Award will be announced by HRI Chief Executive, Brian Kavanagh. This award is HRI’s recognition of an individual or entity whose overall work and achievements have made a lasting positive impression on racing and breeding in Ireland. Previous winners include Des Scahill, Mick O’Toole, Jim Bolger, Moyglare Stud, Dermot Weld, Colm Murray and Michael Kinane.

The Racecourse of the Year Award winner is chosen by the Racegoers’ Consultative Forum. Previous racecourse winners include Leopardstown, Dundalk and Ballinrobe.

Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of HRI said: “Every year, the Horse Racing Ireland Awards give us the opportunity to celebrate the tremendous achievements in the Irish racing industry, both at home and on the world stage. The exceptional reputation of Irish racing and breeding is built on the achievements of the hugely talented people we are so lucky to have and I wish all nominees the very best of luck.”

The Goracing.ie website contains information about the awards and each of the nominees, an image gallery and all the latest news. It will also provide a live stream of the awards on December 5th.

Voting is now open for the Outstanding Achievement category.