AWARDS for the 2023 horse and pony racing season were presented in the Killarney Oaks Hotel last Saturday.

Parents and riders turned out in big numbers for the event which was very well organised by Mags O’Connor. Thomas O’Callaghan, who called the Dingle Races for many years, was MC for the evening.

The Irish Field sponsored the national awards and the leading rider for the season was Dylan O’Connor. Son of Mags and amateur rider and trainer Mikey O’Connor, Dylan has one more year in pony racing.

With three Dingle winners this year, Julian Pietropaolo is a rising star of the pony racing scene and he received the leading horse rider award.

Nicola Burns from Mullingar was described as “a very special talent” as she was presented with the leading lady rider award. Regular readers of The Irish Field’s excellent pony racing reports by Jerry and Aileen Daly will be familiar with Nicola’s flow of winners last summer, which included success at Dingle on Chloe’s Sam.

Adam Grant from Rosslare, Co Wexford, also rode the same horse to win at Dingle and he picked up an award in recognition of his success with that champion horse.

Lily Walsh, daughter of Jenny and Benny from Tomhaggard in Co Wexford, received the leading pony rider award. The Walshs also picked up an award for their pony Pacman.

The Kerin family from Clarecastle, Co Clare, were honoured for their champion pony Katie Taylor.

There were also awards for Pat Collins (owner of South Of The Border), the Curly Syndicate from Listowel (Hello Star), Co Roscommon’s Mary Brady, and connections of Hasta La Vista, She’s Got It and Verstappen.

Aided by Sophie O’Connor and Imelda Leahy, the riders made a presentation to Mags O’Connor in acknowledgement of the huge amount of work she put in to make the awards night happen. There was also a special award for Thomas O’Callaghan who has done so much to raise the profile on horse and pony racing.

A recurring theme on the night was the need for parents and committees to work more closely together to ensure horse and pony racing continues to thrive.

Award winners

Leading Rider: DYLAN O’CONNOR

Leading Horse Rider: JULIAN

PIETROPAOLO

Leading Lady Rider: NICOLA BURNS

Leading Pony Rider: LILY WALSH

Champion Horse: CHLOE’S SAM

Champion Pony: KATIE TAYLOR