Five from county in line for racing awards
Five Meath people have been nominated for honours at the 11th annual Horse Racing Ireland Awards. They are trainers Tony Martin, Eddie Lynam, Gordon Elliott and Joanna Morgan and trainer/jockey Johnny Murtagh.
Tony Martin is nominated in the National Hunt category. Benefficient was his stand-out performer as he landed the Grade 1 Arkle Trophy at Leopardstown in January before winning the Jewson Novice Chase at the Cheltenham. At home the 2013 Galway Summer Festival was a personal triumph for the trainer as he saddled eight winners under both codes during the week.
Naas-based Johnny Murtagh from Bohermeen is nominated in the Flat category. He rode 30 winners in Ireland, from just 125 rides, while he also saddled 15 winners in his dual trainer-jockey role. He was leading rider at Royal Ascot in June with a memorable win on Sole Power in the Kings Stand Stakes while at home he partnered the French-trained Chicquita to victory in the Darley Irish Oaks. As a trainer he enjoyed big race success with both Royal Diamond and Belle De Crecy.
In the Point-to-Point category Longwood trainer Gordon Elliott is nominated for a point-to-point award. The introduction of quality young horses for Gigginstown House Stud played a huge role in his success which also saw him finish second in the National Hunt Trainers title to Willie Mullins.
The Outstanding Achievement Award nominations include trainers Eddie Lynam, Dunshaughlin and Ballivor-based Joanna Morgan.
Eddie Lynam enjoyed great success this year with sprinters Sole Power and Slade Power who gained big race victories on both sides of the Irish Sea. Joanna Morgan is nominated for Roca Tumu whom she saddled to win one of the most prestigious handicap races of the year, the Britannia Handicap, at the Royal Ascot Meeting in mid-June.
This year, for the first time, members of the public will have an opportunity to vote on the ‘Outstanding Achievement’ category, through a new HRI Awards app, which will be available for download from iTunes and Google Play later this week.