Cartier Horse of the Year Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) earned yet another accolade on Monday when she was named Horse of the Year at the Horse Racing Ireland Awards during a reception at Leopardstown Racecourse.
Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Michael Tabor's Minding won five of the seven Group 1 races she contested this year, including a pair of Classics–the G1 1000 Guineas and G1 Epsom Oaks–and the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. on British Champions Day. Her trainer, Aidan O'Brien, won the flat award for a remarkable season that was highlighted by 22 Group 1 wins, and 1-2-3 finishes in both the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the G1 1000 Guineas.
In the National Hunt realm, Willie Mullins was named champion trainer; trainer Mouse Morris took the outstanding achievement award; and jockey Jamie Codd won the point-to-point award. Maureen Mullins, wife of the late great trainer Paddy Mullins, received the Contribution to the Industry award for her work in Irish racing over the last six decades, and HRI Chief Executive Brian Kavanagh said, “It was a pleasure to present the Contribution to the Industry award to a very special lady who is a most deserving winner. 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.”
HRI Chairman Joe Keeling summed up the awards by saying, “The Horse Racing Ireland Awards allow us to shine the spotlight on the amazing achievements in Irish racing throughout the year. As always, the standard of nominations was extremely high and I would like to congratulate the very worthy winners and wish everyone in the Irish racing industry continued success in 2017.”
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