Sea The Stars voted 2009 Horse of the Year Horse Racing Ireland today hosted the annual Irish Horse Racing Awards in the Leopardstown Pavilion, Dublin. Sea The Stars, who wrote himself into the record books in 2009, beat out all other nominees to win 100% of the votes and another deserving award winning 2009 Horse of The Year. Champion NH Trainer Willie Mullins won the National Hunt Award for the first time, having been nominated each year and pipped each time by Jockey Ruby Walsh. Sea the Stars Trainer John Oxx won the Flat Award for his immense achievements with his stable star and also Alandi in 2009. The Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Kevin Prendergast, a leading figure in the horse racing industry for the past 40 years, whilst Derek O’ Connor, who has once again re-written the point to point history books in 2009, claimed the Point to Point Award for his 3rd time. his is the seventh year of the awards which are voted on by the Irish Racing Media to recognise excellence in the sport of horse racing. In addition to the 5 main categories, Horse Racing Ireland presented Jockey Michael Kinane with the Contribution to the Industry Award, Michael retired from race riding last week at the age of 50 and had been consistently representing Irish racing at the highest level around the world for over 30 years. Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland remarked on 2009 saying: - “Despite the gloomy economic backdrop, 2009 was an outstanding year for Irish racing. Our flat horses dominated the major races throughout Europe, and we saw a once in a life time Champion in Sea the Stars. Our national hunt horses enjoyed great success at home and abroad and, as we look towards 2010, it is very pleasing to see that success continue in the major national hunt races in recent weeks. We can reflect also with great pride on the fact that according to official rankings three of the top four flat horses in the world in 2009 were Irish. This is an industry in which Ireland is a genuine world leader and, given appropriate funding structures, that situation can be further enhanced in 2010."
