Sizing John proudly showing off his new rug #horseoftheyear 🏆@Jessica_Racing @kateharro1989 pic.twitter.com/784XoLt4gH
— Robbie "Puppy" Power (@Robbie_Power_) December 6, 2017
Triple Gold Cup winner Sizing John has been named Ireland’s Horse of 2017 at the Horse Racing Ireland Awards Ceremony.
He gets the crown for becoming the first horse to land the three big Gold Cups at Leopardstown, Cheltenham and Punchestown in the same season – and saw off the likes of classic winners for the coveted crown.
The award seals a memorable 2017 for his jockey Robbie Power, who also secured his dream success when partnering Our Duke to win the Irish National at Fairyhouse.
Trainer Jessica Harrington is celebrating double success after winning the Horse Racing Ireland award for jumping in 2017 and then seeing the horse she trained to an unprecedented three Gold Cups named as Ireland’s Horse of the Year.
Sizing John’s set for his seasonal debut at Punchestown this weekend as he starts the defence of his Cheltenham crown at the end of a year which has seen the hugely popular trainer also claim a first Irish National.
Aidan O’Brien has described his award for Contribution to the Industry at Horse Racing Ireland’s Annual Awards as one of the most special of all.
The record breaking trainer crowned an extraordinary 2017 by setting a new record for Group 1 victories and only lost out on Australia’s most cherished prize, the Melbourne Cup to his son Joseph.
Jockey Colin Keane has claimed Horse Racing Ireland’s Flat racing award just weeks after celebrating becoming Champion Jockey for the first time.
Keane got the better of a memorable struggle with Pat Smullen and clinched the title as he passed a milestone 100 winners for 2017.
Meanwhile The Irish raider Total Recall has won the Ladbrokes Trophy, Britain’s second most valuable handicap chase at Newbury for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend.
The winner of last months Munster National at Limerick got up by a neck to defy the brave Whisper in a thrilling finish to the three and a quarter mile contest with Regal Encore third.
It’s a result to cherish for trainer Willie Mullins, saddling the first Irish trained winner since 1980, having had his Be My Royal first past the post 15 years ago thrown out on a technicality:
