Lee Mottershead heads four Racing Post winners at HWPA awards

The Racing Post picked up an impressive four trophies at the annual Horserace Writers' & Photographers' Association Derby Awards at the Royal Lancaster hotel in London on Monday.

Lee Mottershead, photographers Edward Whitaker and Patrick McCann, and young journalist Jonathan Harding all collected awards for the Post at the 53rd edition of the awards.

Mottershead, who was named Racing Writer of the Year for the second time, said: "I’m delighted. I’ve had a year in which I’ve been very fortunate because I get some really interesting subject matters to write about, not just on the racecourse but away from the racecourse too.

"The Kayley Woollacott story could not have been more personal, more emotional or more important. She put enormous trust in me, as did Mick Appleby, and as did the BHA with the story about the first 24 hours after the flu crisis began.

"For doing what I do, which is storytelling, when you have stories that have more resonance to tell that makes the job feel even more satisfying. It’s a real privilege."

Whitaker was honoured as photographer of the year for the second year running and the ninth time in all. He said: "I'm over the moon. Photography is a very subjective thing. When you get independent judges viewing your work it’s lovely to be recognised.

"It’s my ninth time winning photographer of the year and I will never rest on my laurels. It gets better every time I win it. My goal is to get to that tenth victory at some stage.”

McCann, who is based in Ireland, won the Picture of the Year award for the third time, his winning image being the moment of high drama when jockey Luke Dempsey was jumped over by a loose horse at Galway.

Of the picture, McCann said: "It was a race that was supposed to be about Blow By Blow, the Cheltenham winner, in a beginners’ chase but it turned into a free-for-all with loose horses running everywhere. Carnage ensued.

Picture of the Year: Luke Dempsey escapes a nasty situation when Mon Lino is brought to a standstill by a loose horse on the approach to the ninth fence at GalwayCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"I’ve won with very different pictures, it’s getting harder and harder every year. There are so many great photographers out there. It’s a privilege to be nominated and to pick up the award."

The Post was also responsible for the first winner of the Emerging Talent Award in Harding, 23, who only a few days earlier had been awarded the NCTJ trainee sports journalism prize at a ceremony at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland.

He was the first winner of the Alan Lee Trophy, which commemorates the late racing correspondent of The Times and is open to entrants under 30 years of age. The award was presented by Alan Lee’s children, James and Vicky.

Harding could not be present at the awards but Racing Post Editor Tom Kerr said of his achievement: "He’s such a talented, hard-working member of the team. We’re lucky to have him.

“It’s great to see many of the nominees have a real passion for journalism and racing. They are the future of the racing media.”

The second new media award for Specialist Writer went to freelance Kevin Blake, whose work can be found on a number of platforms including attheraces.com and betfair.com.

The Peter O’Sullevan Trophy for the Broadcaster of the Year was won for the first time by Racing TV’s Lydia Hislop, while Reporter of the Year went to Marcus Townend of the Daily Mail, who also landed the award in 2016.

History was made when Bryony Frost became the first female jockey to lift a Derby Award.

The rider, who became the first woman to land a Grade 1 race over jumps at the Cheltenham Festival when successful on Frodon in the Ryanair Chase, was named Jump Jockey of the Year.

Her boss and Frodon’s trainer Paul Nicholls was named Jump Trainer of the Year for the sixth time.

Nineteen Group 1 wins during 2019 – not surprisingly a career-best haul – were enough to earn Frankie Dettori the Flat Jockey of the Year award for the seventh time, while his boss, trainer John Gosden, was named Flat Trainer of the Year and International Trainer of the Year.

Andrew Gemmell: among the award winnersCredit: Getty Images

Owner of the Year went to Andrew Gemmell, who crowned a remarkable four days following the comeback win of his champion staying hurdler Paisley Park in the Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury last Friday and the victory of De Rasher Counter, who he part-owns, 24 hours later in the Ladbrokes Trophy.

Lisa Hancock, whose career in racing has included a stint as a successful point-to-point jockey and first female managing director at Newmarket, was awarded the George Ennor Trophy for Outstanding Achievement.

The award was particular recognition for Hancock’s work as chief executive of the Injured Jockeys Fund, which this year opened its new rehabilitation centre, Peter O’Sullevan House, in Newmarket.

The President’s Award went to Ruby Walsh, the 12-time Irish champion jockey and most successful jockey in Cheltenham Festival history, who retired in May. Walsh is The Tuesday Profile in the Racing Post this week.

Trainer James Owen received the Arabian Racing Achievement Award after a season in which he enjoyed his first overseas success, his first Pattern-race win and his third trainers’ title.

HWPA AWARDS

Clive Graham Trophy for Racing Writer of the Year Lee Mottershead

John Oaksey Trophy for Racing Reporter of the Year Marcus Townend

Photographer of the Year Edward Whitaker

Picture of the Year Patrick McCann

Peter O'Sullevan Trophy for Broadcaster of the Year Lydia Hislop

Alan Lee Trophy for Emerging Talent of the Year Jonathan Harding

Specialist Writer Kevin Blake

Flat Trainer of the Year John Gosden

Jumps Trainer of the Year Paul Nicholls

International Trainer of the Year John Gosden

Flat Jockey of the Year Frankie Dettori

Jump Jockey of the Year Bryony Frost

Owner of the Year Andrew Gemmell

Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club Arabian Award James Owen

George Ennor Trophy for Outstanding Achievement Lisa Hancock

HWPA President's Award Ruby Walsh

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