Sole Power was named Horse of the Year at the Horse Racing Ireland Awards today.
The Eddie Lynam-trained seven-year-old turned in his finest season to date, highlighted by a pair of Group One triumphs in the Kings Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot for the second consecutive year and the Nunthorpe Stakes at York.
Lynam was also rewarded with the Flat Award for his work with Sole Power and Slade Power, who also picked up a pair of Group One victories this season.
The National Hunt prize went to Willie Mullins, who was once again Ireland’s leading trainer this year. Mullins (below with minister Simon Coveney) saddled 185 winners in Ireland and was the leading trainer at the Cheltenham Festival, where he set a new record by sending out Quevega to a sixth consecutive success in the Mares’ Hurdle.
Full list of winners:
Horse of the Year: Sole Power
National Hunt Award: Willie Mullins
Flat Award: Eddie Lynam
Contribution to Industry: Mick O’Toole
Outstanding Achievement Award: Tom Hogan
Point-To-Point Award: Jamie Codd
Racecourse of the Year: Leopardstown