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Anglo-Irish Jump Racing Awards |
The Public Crowns Big Buck’s Horse Of The Year
25/05/10
The public has elected Big Buck’s their Horse of the Year after the inaugural vote for the prestigious title, announced at today’s Anglo-Irish Jump Racing Awards in London.
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The Champion Staying Hurdler usurped stablemate Kauto Star, last year’s winner, securing an impressive 32% per cent of over 1,500 votes cast on britishhorseracing.com and was declared the winner at the Awards by special guest James Nesbitt.
While Big Buck’s unbeaten season won over the hearts of the voting public, Imperial Commander earned his place as runner-up in the contest following his courageous performance in the totesport Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Officials from both the British and Irish Authorities decided to make the celebrated Horse of the Year Award vote public to celebrate yet another vintage season for British and Irish Jump Racing, having nominated the shortlist based on the five horses’ official rating and role in promoting the sport.
Nic Coward, British Horseracing Authority Chief Executive, commented: “With such a stellar line up of contenders for this Award, it would have been difficult to predict the winner. However, the public has spoken and with four wins to his name, including three Grade 1 victories, there is no more deserving champion than Big Buck’s.
“Thank you to all those who cast their vote on britishhorseracing.com - we are delighted at the support and number of votes received. This only goes to show that British and Irish Jump Racing continues to go from strength to strength, underlined by the sheer quality of the horses shortlisted for this Horse of the Year Award.”
The five shortlisted contenders (in the order voted by the public) were:
· Big Buck’s: Trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by The Stewart Family
· Imperial Commander: Trained by Nigel Twiston-Davies and owned by Our Friends In The North
· Kauto Star: Trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by Clive Smith
· Denman: Trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by Harry Findlay and Paul Barber
· Binocular: Trained by Nicky Henderson and owned by J P McManus
ANGLO-IRISH JUMP RACING AWARDS CELEBRATE STELLAR 2009-10 SEASON
Kauto Star has been handed a rating of 190 at today’s Anglo-Irish Jump Racing Awards, held jointly by the British Horseracing Authority and the Irish Turf Club.
The four-time King George VI Chase-winner achieved the highest ever rating given to a horse in the 11 years of the Anglo-Irish Classifications, having been crowned Champion Three Mile + Chaser for the third time.
Another first for the Anglo-Irish Classifications was having three horses rated over 180, with Imperial Commander handed a rating of 185 for his totesport Gold Cup victory, the third-highest rating ever given, and Cheltenham runner-up Denman handed a rating of 182 for his superb weight-carrying performance in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury.
Hosted by Clare Balding in front of an audience of over 200, the Anglo-Irish Jump Racing Awards, held in London’s Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel and presented by actor and owner James Nesbitt, coincide with the publication of the Anglo-Irish National Hunt Classifications. These provide a retrospective measurement of the best sustainable performances during the recent Jump season.
Paul Nicholls, Champion Trainer in Britain for the fifth consecutive year, extended his reign with three horses featuring among today’s winners. Big Buck’s, owned by the Stewart Family, posted the highest rating for a Staying Hurdler (174) for a second year.
Nicholls also scooped the award for Champion Two Mile Novice Chaser with Tataniano (160) jointly sharing the prize with Irish raider and Arkle hero, Sizing Europe (160, trained by Henry De Bromhead).
Ireland additionally claimed the Champion Two Mile Chaser category, courtesy of Queen Mother Champion Chase winner Big Zeb (174), trained by Colm Murphy, while fellow Cheltenham Festival hero Binocular (173) retained the Two Mile Hurdler category for trainer Nicky Henderson, following his decisive victory in the Champion Hurdle.
His jockey, AP McCoy, was on hand to collect his 15th Champion Jockey title, having enjoyed a sensational 2009-10 season, culminating in an emotional Grand National success aboard the Jonjo O’Neill-trained Don’t Push It, with owner JP McManus collecting the Champion British Owner crown for the second consecutive year.
The Racing for Change Order of Merit kicked off the formal presentations with Mick Meagher, Racing Manager to owner Trevor Hemmings, collecting the £100,000 prize for Albertas Run’s dual Grade 1-winning campaign with the nine-year-old also landing the Two and a Half Mile Category at today’s Awards.
BHA Chairman Paul Roy said: “Again we witnessed another vintage season on the Jumps circuit, brimming with memorable performances.
“Season after season in Britain and Ireland, Jump Racing leaves fans with plenty to savour. Our thanks must go to all those involved with the horses and in particular the Owners, Trainers and Jockeys. AP’s victory in the Grand National, Imperial Commander’s Gold Cup win alongside the second clash of Kauto Star and Denman; I think we all agree we are incredibly lucky. It is an honour to revisit those moments at these Awards.”
Michael Doyle, Senior Steward from the Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee added: “We have witnessed outstanding achievements from our horses, riders, owners and trainers this season and without doubt National Hunt racing is the backbone of our sport.
“Events like this help cement the relationship between our countries and we hope that we will witness once again more outstanding achievements in the season ahead.”
The full list of Award winners was as follows:
Awards Winners Rating
CHAMPION NOVICE HURDLER
=Peddlers Cross 151
=Menorah 151
CHAMPION NOVICE CHASER
=Sizing Europe 160
=Tataniano 160
CHAMPION TWO-AND-A-HALF MILE + HURDLER
Big Buck’s 174
CHAMPION TWO-AND-A-HALF MILE CHASER
Albertas Run 168
CHAMPION THREE-MILE + CHASER
Kauto Star 190
BRITISH CHAMPION CONDITIONAL Rhys Flint
BRITISH CHAMPION JOCKEY AP McCoy
BRITISH CHAMPION TRAINER Paul Nicholls
BRITISH CHAMPION OWNER J P McManus
PONY RACING CHAMPION (138cm AND UNDER) Connor Flint
PONY RACING CHAMPION (148cm AND UNDER) George Shaw
