Jessica Harrington © Photo Healy Racing
Jessica Harrington has spoken of her surprise at being awarded the title of The Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year for 2017.
An unbelievable spell saw her train Sizing John to win the Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown Gold Cups, the first horse to win all three in the same season, the Irish National with Our Duke and have her best ever year on the Flat.
Harrington beat off competition from the likes of World Champion boxer Katie Taylor to win the award.
Having held her licence for 28 years working alongside her late husband, Johnny, she admits the landscape has changed immeasurably.
"There weren't too many women trainers when I started, and the owners used to ring up and they always wanted to talk to Johnny. In typical Irish fashion, you know. Talk to the man. I'd say fine, then they'd get on to him and he'd say 'actually I haven't a clue what's going on, I have a job'... and eventually they got round to talking to me," she told The Irish Times.
"I suppose the results counted, but it's funny because Irish men are very good at talking to men, they're not quite sure about talking to women. Except occasionally.
"But I am most surprised I won this award, and all the monthly winners are fantastic, their enthusiasm, and it does get tougher, but the great thing is the tougher it gets, the better you get. But it has been an unbelievable year, it really has. And I've been so lucky. That's how it turned out. Dream stuff."
