WINNING three Gold Cups last spring was enough to secure Sizing John the Horse of the Year accolade at the Horse Racing Ireland Awards this week.

The Jessica Harrington-trained gelding topped a poll of sportswriters for the title, seeing off competition from stable companion Our Duke, Un De Sceaux and three multiple Group 1 winners from Ballydoyle.

In the absence of owners Ann and Alan Potts, both of whom died earlier this year, the award was presented to the trainer, her daughters Emma and Kate, and jockey Robbie Power.

“What ‘John’ did last season was amazing,” said Kate Harrington. “He would be a top three-day eventer or show jumper [if tried in those disciplines]. He just wants to please you. An amazing horse to deal with.”

Robbie Power told MC Des Cahill how Kate and Emma play vitally important roles at Commonstown Stables in Moone, Co Kildare. “They do the jobs Jessie doesn’t like. Emma does the admin work and Kate goes around the stables, checking horses’ legs and dirty jobs like that.”

Displaying admirable bravery if not eloquence, Robbie raised a few eyebrows when describing the trainer as “stubborn and thick.” He explained– “I’ve got a right few bollockings from Jessie – even just last week at Thurles – but jockeys have to hold their hands up when they make a mistake. The great thing about Jessie is that it’s forgotten about then and you move on to the next race.”

MADNESS

Back on stage just minutes after picking up the National Hunt Award, Jessica reflected on her 28-year training career. “It was madness starting at age 42 with a six-month-old baby. But we keep on trying.”

On top of Sizing John’s treble, Jessica saddled Supasundae and Rock The World to win Cheltenham Festival handicaps, while Our Duke romped home in the Irish Grand National.

“If you’d told me this time last year about the spring I’d have, I would have definitely sent you to the funny farm! It got on a roll in January when Sizing John won the Kinloch Brae and it didn’t stop until the end of April. It was absolutely amazing. It’s not just us at the top – every single person that works for me has had a hand in the success.”

On cue, Kate stepped up to the microphone to remember her father, John, who died in 2014.

Jessica also paid tribute to Ann and Alan Potts. “It’s very sad that they are no longer with us but they left a great legacy. Alan always wanted to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and it was fantastic that Sizing John won it for him.”

Champion jockey Colin Keane was a very popular winner of the Flat award.

Having finished runner-up in the last two championships, the 23-year-old from Trim, Co Meath, went one better in 2017 clinching a memorable first title with 100 winners, winning by 12. He also rode his first Group 1 winner in October.

“It’s only sinking in now,” reported Colin of his breakthrough season. “It was cat-and-mouse with Pat [Smullen] for a long time and it was great to win it in the end.” He made a point of thanking his boss Ger Lyons, who provided him with 67 winners this year, and his parents Gerry and Esther.

KEENLY CONTESTED

The Outstanding Achievement Award is always keenly contested and all six nominees this year deserved special recognition. When the votes from the press and public were tallied, Joseph O’Brien was declared the winner. Winning the Melbourne Cup with Rekindling was undoubtedly his biggest accomplishment of the year but he also won the Galway Hurdle with Tigris River and by October 7th this year he had saddled 100 winners in 2017, his first full year with a licence.

Unable to attend Tuesday’s ceremony in person, Joseph supplied a pre-recorded video message. The trophy was collected by his brother Donnacha, who said he was uncertain about following Joseph and their father Aidan into the training ranks. “I’ll think about it, but it’s hard. I’m not sure.”

The Point-To-Point Award stays in Co Wexford and went to Barry O’Neill for the first time.

In June, Barry broke the 13-year stranglehold on The Irish Field riders’ championship set by Derek O’Connor and Jamie Codd. He had been runner-up in the race and finished third on three previous occasions. He now has another trophy for the new house he began building this week.

In a week when Brexit dominated the news agenda, it was fitting that the Racecourse of the Year Award went to Down Royal.

Despite its peripheral location and lack of local political support, Down Royal is widely regarded as one of the most popular and progressive racecourses on the island.

The racecourse has undergone a huge amount of development and improvement over the past decade, and hosts the first Grade 1 race of the jumps season every year.

Racecourse manager Mike Todd said: “I’ve been there 21 years and we have worked hard. We’ve had tremendous support from Horse Racing Ireland and are delighted with how our Festival has developed.”

Track chairman Jim Nicholson said the award was a “complete surprise”.

The 2017 HRI award winners

Contribution to the Industry Award– AIDAN O’BRIEN

Horse of the Year Award– SIZING JOHN

(Also nominated– Capri, Highland Reel, Our Duke, Un De Sceaux, Winter)

National Hunt Award– JESSICA HARRINGTON

(Also nominated– Henry de Bromhead, Gordon Elliott, Willie Mullins, Robbie Power, Ruby Walsh)

Flat Award– COLIN KEANE

(Also nominated– Seamie Heffernan, Ger Lyons, Aidan O’Brien, Oisin Orr)

Outstanding Achievement Award– JOSEPH O’BRIEN

(Also nominated– Padraig Beggy, Rachael Blackmore, Pat Kelly, Jack Kennedy, Lisa O’Neill)

Point-To-Point Award– BARRY O’NEILL

(Also nominated– Colin Bowe, Jamie Codd, Liz Lalor, Denis Murphy, Derek O’Connor)

Racecourse– DOWN ROYAL