Sole Power Crowned Irish Horse of the Year

Sabrina Power’s Sole Power (GB) was honored with the coveted Horse of the Year crown at the 12th Horse Racing Ireland Awards staged at Leopardstown Monday evening. Trained by Eddie Lynam–who won the Flat award–the crack sprinter lifted the G1 King’s Stand S. at Royal Ascot for the second successive year and also the G1 Nunthorpe at York–a race he won in 2010 when a 100-1 chance. 

“Every year you think it’s probably going to be the end and he can’t go and do it again, but this has probably been his best year,” commented Lynam. In fairness to Dave and Sabina [Power] they are great to train for and I can run or not run him wherever I want, whether he’s 100-1 or even-money they back me, but at the end of the day he’s a hell of a horse and makes people like me look good. He’s taken us all round the world and I’m delighted he’s won this award.” 

The bay is slated to run in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint during the Hong Kong International Races Dec. 13. 

Added Lynam, “He’s probably an each-way bet, he’s never won over the trip [six furlongs], but was second in it last year. He lost a bit more weight than I’d have liked going over, but he has a chance.” 

It was a fine year for Lynam, who won four out of the five Group One sprints run in Britain with Sole Power and Slade Power (Ire) (Dutch Art {GB}). 

Sole Power will be back in 2015., and Lynam said: “I’m looking forward to Anthem Alexander (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) next year, I’m hoping to go to Ascot and run in the Commonwealth Cup [new Group 1 for 3-year-olds].” 

The Outstanding Achievement award, which was decided by a public vote, was lifted by Tom Hogan, who has so brilliantly handled Gordon Lord Byron (Ire) (Byron {GB}), including winning a Group 1 in Australia and the G1 QIPCO British Champions Sprint at Ascot. 

Hogan said, “The horse has a wonderful heart, he’s just so tough and genuine and as you saw at Ascot he is a brave horse.” 

The final award was that for Lifetime Achievement and saw a popular winner in legendary former trainer Mick O’Toole. O’Toole, who retired from training almost 20 years ago, started training greyhounds but progressed into a top handler under both Flat and jumps codes. He sent out Dickens Hill (GB) to be second to Troy (GB) in the 1979 English and Irish Derbys as well as winning the Coral-Eclipse.