cheltenham | the mccoys
2018MCCOYS This year’s awards categories are: •Leading Owner, sponsored by Bentley •Leading Trainer, sponsored by Beach Independent •Leading Jockey, sponsored by Brewin Dolphin •Horses of the Season, Novice Hurdler and Hurdler, sponsored by NAF •Horses of the Season, Novice Chaser and Chaser, sponsored by UBS •Judges Choice Award, sponsored by WO Lewis •Horse of the Season, sponsored by Shloer •Frequent Runner Award, sponsored by Equi-Trek •Pony Racing Achievement of the Season, sponsored by Winner Events •Stable Person of the Year, sponsored by Racing Post
his Aintree triumph. Co-owner Deborah Thompson said: “We hoped he might be a Saturday horse, but we never dreamt he could take us to events like this.” It’s likely this year’s panel will be considering Grand National and Glenfarclas Cross Country winner Tiger Roll, back-to-back Unibet Champion Hurdle hero Buveur D’Air and sensational Cheltenham Gold Cup star Native River for the accolade. In a poignant moment, the 2017 Horse Performance of the Season, sponsored by Rosconn Group, was awarded to the late Many Clouds, who made his final racecourse appearance in Cheltenham’s BetBright Trial Cotswold Chase. Trevor Hemmings’ racing manager Mick Meagher collected the award and recalled: “Many Clouds was a wonderful horse. The public loved him, we loved him, and what happened on that day was inexplicable. We ended up being just very proud of him.”
In 20 years there has only been one occasion when Seanie’s lorry failed to reach the course.” Other deserving recipients included JP McManus, who confessed to feeling “very honoured” when collecting last year’s award for owners with more than four horses, while the prize for those with three or fewer went to Colm Donlon and Adrian Doyle. Trainers are recognised too. Paul Nicholls received Leading Trainer for handlers with more than 40 horses, sponsored by Beach Independent and the Frequent Runner Award, backed by Equi-Trek. Nick Williams cemented his position as top trainer with fewer than 40 horses, while the equivalent winner for participation was awarded to Somerset-based Jeremy Scott. “An event like this crystallises thoughts about how important everybody’s role is in racing,” Scott said. Brewin Dolphin sponsored the Leading Jockey prizes, which went to Noel Fehily (professional), Harry Cobden (conditional) and Page Fuller (amateur). Racing Ride of the
•Racing Ride of the Season, sponsored by Natural Green
•Horse Performance of the Season, sponsored by Rosconn Group •Outstanding Contribution Award, sponsored by Dodson & Horrell For more information please visit cheltenham. co.uk/the-mccoys
The Outstanding Contribution Award was given to Ollie McPhail. The former National Hunt jockey has worked tirelessly for Racing to School, offering thousands of young people a unique learning experience using the UK’s racecourses, trainers’ yards and studs. “I feel very privileged to do what I do and to be given the chance of a second career in racing, but it is all down to the goodwill of people in the industry, from staff to owners, and racecourses to trainers,” McPhail said modestly. Unsung heroes are also recognised by the Racing Post -sponsored Stable Person of the Year. The inaugural winner, Seanie Mulcaire, a former amateur rider with Phillip Hobbs, has continued to travel the yard’s horses for more than 20 years. Champion jockey Richard Johnson collected the award on Hobbs’ behalf, describing him as, “the most reliable and trustworthy employee.
Season, sponsored by Natural Green, and another from the expert panel, was handed to Adrian Heskin for a superb performance on Sir Valentino in the Haldon Gold Cup. Further horses receive due credit on points-based totals in NAF-sponsored novice hurdler and hurdler categories, as well as novice chaser and chaser prizes backed by UBS. Teenage sensation James Bowen became the first winner of the Pony Racing Achievement of the Season, sponsored this year by Winner Events. The last word goes to the man who gave his name to the ceremony. “It’s something I’m very honoured and grateful that the racecourse has decided to do,” said Sir AP. “If I was still riding, I’d love to win a McCoy.”
Kalendar 21
Made with FlippingBook Online document