THREE of Aidan O’Brien’s stars from this year are among the seven nominations for the title of Horse of the Year at the 2016 Horse Racing Ireland Awards.

Found, Highland Reel and Minding are all nominated for the award, which was shared between the connections of Don Cossack and Faugheen last year.

Don Cossack is again nominated, as is Champion Hurdle winner Annie Power plus her stable companion Douvan. Dual Derby winner Harzand completes the nominations.

The awards will be presented at Leopardstown Racecourse on Monday, December 5th.

Four category winners are decided by a ballot of the Irish racing media – Horse of the Year, National Hunt, Flat and Point-to-Point.

The winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award is voted on by the Irish racing media and the general public through the HRI website or through forms available from HRI.

The nominees in this category, selected by the Irish racing media, include trainers Adrian Keatley, John Kiely, Mouse Morris and Kevin Prendergast. Jockey David Mullins has also been selected along with the Moyglare Stud Stakes winning trainer/jockey combination of brothers Joseph and Donnacha O’Brien.

The Contribution to the Industry Award will be announced by HRI Chief Executive, Brian Kavanagh.

This award is HRI’s recognition of an individual or entity whose overall work and achievements have made a lasting positive impression on racing and breeding in Ireland.

Previous winners include Des Scahill, Mick O’Toole, Jim Bolger, Moyglare Stud, Dermot Weld, Colm Murray and Michael Kinane.

The Racecourse of the Year Award winner is chosen by the Racegoers’ Consultative Forum. Previous racecourse winners include Leopardstown, Dundalk and Ballinrobe.

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of HRI, said: “Every year, the Horse Racing Ireland Awards give us the opportunity to celebrate the tremendous achievements in the Irish racing industry, both at home and on the world stage.

“The exceptional reputation of Irish racing and breeding is built on the achievements of the hugely talented people we are so lucky to have and I wish all nominees the very best of luck.”

Web: goracing.ie

2016 AWARD NOMINEES

  • NATIONAL HUNT: Gordon Elliott, Jack Kennedy, Willie Mullins, Ruby Walsh
  • FLAT: Seamie Heffernan, Aidan O’Brien, Pat Smullen, Dermot Weld
  • HORSE OF THE YEAR: Annie Power, Don Cossack, Douvan, Found, Harzand, Highland Reel, Minding
  • POINT-TO-POINT: Enda Bolger, Jamie Codd, Wilson Dennison, Liz Lalor, Barry O’Neill
  • OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Adrian Keatley, John Kiely, Mouse Morris, David Mullins, Kevin Prendergast, Joseph & Donnacha O’Brien