Leading owner J.P. McManus and the recently retired jockey Kevin Manning were among those honoured Monday at the annual Horse Racing Ireland Awards.
McManus, who is a 19-time champion National Hunt owner in Ireland, received the Contribution to the Industry Award. He has been associated with many of the top jumps horses for over 40 years with more 4,000 winners, including Mister Donavan (Choral Society {GB}), Jack Of Trumps (Kings Theatre {Ire}) and Deep Gale (Deep Run {GB}). He is a six-time Champion Hurdle-winning owner, two-time Grand National winner with Don't Push It (Old Vic [GB}) and Minella Times (Oscar {Ire}), and the Cheltenham Gold Cup went his way with Synchronised (Sadler's Wells).
Manning, who concluded his 40 years in the saddle this fall, was bestowed the Irish Racing Hero Award. He was champion apprentice in 1984 and 1987 and he won 36 Group 1 winners over his remarkable career, including the Epsom Derby aboard New Approach (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in 2008, the Irish Derby on Trading Leather (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) Hong Kong Cup on Alexander Goldrun (Ire) (Gold Away [Ire}) in 2004.
The Kenny Alexander-owned Honeysuckle (GB) (Sulamani {Ire}) was crowned Horse of the Year for the second consecutive year after extending her winning streak to 16 races. She remained unbeaten for a fourth season and added Hatton's Grace Hurdle for a third time, the Irish Champion Hurdle and the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival for a second time, and the Champion Hurdle at Punchestown.
Jockey Sam Ewing received the Emerging Talent Award, the National Hunt Award went to Henry de Bromhead, the National Hunt Achievement Award was won by John 'Shark' Hanlon, Liz Lalor earned the Point-To-Point honor, the Flat Award went to Billy Lee, the Flat Achievement Award was given to Dylan Browne McMonagle and Wayne Lordan was honored with the Ride of the Year for his effort aboard Waterville in the Friends of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch.
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