Florida Pearl's owners were today honoured at a ceremony in London as their horse was deemed to have contributed most to the British public's enjoyment during the last National Hunt season.
The award, voted for by racing journalists and sponsored by Weatherbys and the Racehorse Owners Association, was given to Co Cork couple Violet and Archie O'Leary at a lunch at The Lanesborough in London.
The 10-year-old Willie Mullins-trained gelding enjoyed a successful campaign in 2001-2 with wins in the Pertemps King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on St Stephen's Day as well as the Martell Cup at Aintree and the Heineken Gold Cup at Punchestown.
Johnny Weatherby and ROA President Jim Furlong presented Archie O'Leary with a specially commissioned painting of Florida Pearl by artist Terence Gilbert.
Weatherby, speaking at the lunch, paid tribute to Florida Pearl's win in the King George, adding: "Florida Pearl's only disappointment this season was at Cheltenham, otherwise he has been brilliant.
"His run in the Martell Cup at Aintree was superb - perhaps his best-ever performance. He ran away from a quality field to win by 11 lengths. That was the real Florida Pearl".