INH awards at Dunboyne Castle
Dunboyne Castle Hotel hosted the 2013 Irish National Hunt awards for the second successive year on Sunday night and Nina Carberry scooped her ninth Leading Lady Rider award following another fine season for the Meath woman.
She has been sidelined since she fractured a collarbone following a fall at Downpatrick at the beginning of April, but she received her award from Wendy O’Leary representing sponsors Camas Park Stud and Minister Simon Coveney who was the special guest at the prestigious event.
“I hope to back in action in about three weeks, but there will be lots more competition this season,” she commented.
There was also an award for the staff at top trainer Gordon Elliott’s yard when they were nominated for the Stable Staff Award that was accepted by Joey Elliott and Simon McGonigle.
“It’s great that the staff and the efforts they put in are recognised and this award does that,” commented the trainer.
Champion jockey for the second year in-a-row Davy Russell received his award to great applause in recognition of his 103 winners for the season, two ahead of great rival Ruby Walsh.
Going in to the five-day festival at Punchestown, Russell was leading Walsh by seven and he added three more for the week.
Walsh had a four-timer on Thursday and doubles on Friday and Saturday which closed the gap to two.
Russell admitted to the Meath Chronicle that he had strong connections in the Royal County.
“My mother is from Kells and I have plenty of relations there and get great support from them,” he commented.
However, he didn’t display any enthusiasm when it was suggested that he might change his loyalties.
“There’s no chance of that boy, I’ll be cheering for Cork if they are playing Meath at any time,” he said.