Irish Horse Racing Awards: In conjunction with the launch of the 2005 edition of the Irish Racing Yearbook, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) yesterday hosted a set of awards in the Westin Hotel, Dublin, to a sextet that included one equine recipient, Vinnie Roe, and five trainers and jockeys ranging in age from 23 to 79.
The final choices from a shortlist of four in each category were the result of votes by members of the Irish racing and sports media, and the presentations were made by the Minister for Sport, John O'Donoghue.
Flat and National Hunt meet head-to-head in the tussle for racehorse of the year, and while those brilliant steeplechasers Florida Pearl and Moscow Flyer, together with the champion hurdle winner Hardy Eustace, all had their supporters, the Dermot Weld-prepared Vinnie Roe, as the first Irish-trained horse to win five Classics, fought off all challengers.
His nap hand was made up by the last four runnings of the Irish St Leger and the 2001 renewal of the Prix Royal Oak, the French St Leger.
Vinnie Roe may have been an enforced absentee from the highly decorative banking hall, with the award being picked up by owner and film maker Jim Sheridan.
But then so too was another record setter, Cathy Gannon. At 2.20 yesterday afternoon she was having her first ride in France, partnering the Irene Oaks-trained Frosty Wind in the Listed Prix Edellic. Her mother stepped up to the podium to accept the flat racing award after her daughter had become the first woman to become champion Irish apprentice.
In 2004, Gannon rode 31 different horses to 33 victories, and, altogether from a total of 370 rides, reached the first four on 129 occasions with win and place money in excess of €600,000.
The equivalent national hunt award was taken by the finely consistent at home and abroad Ruby Walsh, leading rider at the 2004 Cheltenham Festival.
The award for outstanding achievement also emerged out of what was to be a highly successful raid initiated by Colm Murphy from Gorey in Co Wexford, as he saddled Brave Inca to win the first race on the first day, the Supreme Novices' Hurdle.
What made that all the more remarkable was that almost four months earlier he had his first win over jumps off a meagre rating of 93 in a handicap hurdle.
I was especially pleased to see Con Collins win the award for contribution to the industry, a vote that recognises something very special, whether by an individual or an organisation.
AWARD WINNERS - Racehorse of the Year: Vinnie Roe. Flat Award: Catherine Gannon. National Hunt Award: Ruby Walsh. Outstanding Achievement: Colm Murphy. Contribution to the Industry: Con Collins. Point-to-Point award: Liam Burke.
