SANDS Hotel was the venue for last Saturday night’s Portmarnock and Annaghmore awards dinner, not too far from Irish harness racing’s main track, Portmarnock Raceway.

There was plenty of time for pre-dinner drinks as not all were ready to line-up behind the starting gate by the early off-time of 7.45pm. However, the attendance then quickly built up with a lot of style on view for this main social event of the harness racing calendar.

Following dinner, Tyrone’s Sean Duggan took to the floor as MC for the awards presentation with one of the three Gosson brothers, Tommy, giving him a hand. As there were awards for both tracks there was plenty of work for Tommy but the winners were quick to make their way to the presentation area with the two Flanagan sisters, Erin and Callie, and their cousin Shannon, being particularly busy.

And little wonder as they had plenty of awards to accept on behalf of Meadowbranch Stables which claimed the owner of the year, trainer of the year, pacer of the year, mare of the year and four-year-old of the year titles.

Tommy was delighted to be involved in the presentation of The Irish Field-sponsored award for the driver of the year as the winner, John Richardson, is one of his heroes.

Nadina Ironia, who supplies wonderful photographs from the trotting circuit to The Irish Field, was among the prize-winners at the awards night which she attended in the company of Lauris Karpovs, her husband of just over two weeks.

Nadina, one of the main organisers of the event along with Mary Kane, had little time to sit down for her meal.

Duggan’s role as MC wasn’t over until the result had been confirmed of Saturday night’s Lotto draw as the number of the bonus ball would decide who had won the set of racing silks donated by top American driver Yannick Gingras.

Selling of the limited tickets began at the ladies’ day meeting in late September at Portmarnock Raceway which was run in aid of the St James’s Hospital Foundation.

The silks, which were presented on the night by Erin Flanagan, were won by Natasha Sheridan whose daughter Jodie was soon wearing them.

Once the awards were over, it was time for everyone to relax and enjoy the rest of the night or, perhaps, follow the harness racing action from the United States.

MAIN AWARD WINNERS

Mare of the Year: Meadowbranch Milli

Pacer of the Year: Meadowbranch Milli

Trotter of the Year: Cilando Des Temps

Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year: Robyn Camden

Amateur Driver of the Year: Bernard Nicholson

Newcomer of the Year: Daniel McAteer

Trainer of the Year: Walter Stewart