Champions crowned at INH awards The Irish National Hunt Awards Dinner was held last night, Sunday, 28th April, in the Dunboyne Castle Hotel in Co Meath. The awards dinner, one of the most popular social events in the National Hunt calendar, celebrated the achievements of many of our leading figures in National Hunt Racing, not alone in the current season but also over time. Among those honoured were champion trainer Willie Mullins, leading owner Gigginstown House Stud and leading riders Davy Russell, Nina Carberry, Patrick Mullins, Mark Enright and Shane Butler. For Nina Carberry this was the 9th year in succession that she has been honoured. Patrick Mullins not alone received the Leading Qualified Rider Award but was also presented with a Special Achievement Award for breaking the record for the number of wins by an amateur rider in a calendar year – a record that had stood since Billy Parkinson rode 72 winners in 1915. Special awards went to the connections of Quevega and to both Dot Love and Ken Whelan. The award to the connections of “Quevega” was in recognition of her feat in winning the OLBG Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham for the fifth successive year and the Ladbrokes World Series Hurdle at Punchestown for the fourth year in a row. The award to Dot Love was in recognition of her training the mare Liberty Counsel to win the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse. Ken Whelan, one of the real characters of the weigh room was recognised for his overall contribution to the sport. He retired from race riding earlier this season. THE FULL LIST OF 2012/2013 AWARD WINNERS ARE AS FOLLOWS: Leading Lady Rider: Nina Carberry Leading Qualified Rider: Mr Patrick W Mullins Point to Point Award: Mr Jamie Codd Leading Claiming Professional Rider: Mark Enright Leading Trainer of Mares: Willie Mullins Champion & Leading Trainer: Willie Mullins Champion Owner: Gigginstown House Stud Leading Jockey: Davy Russell Stable Staff Award: Gordon Elliott’s Yard NH Special Award: Connections of Quevega Special Recognition Award: Ken Whelan and Dot Love Special Achievement: Mr Patrick W Mullins
