THE outstanding training career of the recently-retired John Oxx was celebrated on Thursday night when he was presented with the 2020 Curragh Special Achievement Award by the racecourse chairman Padraig McManus. The online ceremony was broadcast on all of the racecourse’s social media channels and drew a worldwide audience.

McManus paid tribute not only to Oxx’s outstanding career in the training ranks, but he singled out his contribution to ensuring that the Curragh Racecourse redevelopment was achieved. Oxx said that the racecourse and the gallops are close to his heart and he is keen to see them flourish. Of the finished work, he said it is something “we can all be proud of”.

Oxx spoke at length about his long and distinguished career and was joined in that conversation by two riders who enjoyed outstanding success with the Currabeg master, Johnny Murtagh and Michael Kinane. The interview can be seen on the racecourse website. In addition to discussing many of his biggest winners, Oxx paid a special tribute to his wife Caitriona, saying “I wouldn’t have achieved anything in life without her”.

Horse of the Year

Magical, winner of two Group 1 races during the 2020 racing season at the Curragh was deservedly named Horse of the Season. Due to race next month in Hong Kong for what will be her seventh Group/Grade 1 start of the year, Magical captured the Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes and a second Tattersalls Gold Cup at headquarters. She was also successful in the Irish Champion Stakes.

Paul Smith, on behalf of her owners, spoke about the Aidan O’Brien-trained mare and paid tribute to the trainer for what he has achieved with the five-year-old. He said: “Horses as good as Magical don’t come around too often.”

Special day

Colin Keane’s victory on Siskin in the Group 1 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas was memorable for the rider and for trainer Ger Lyons, and earned the jockey the award for riding performance of the season. “A very special day” was how Keane described it when he spoke about the victory. Curragh CEO Pat Keogh said that the manner of the win “showed why Colin is champion jockey”.

Emotional

Kieran Cotter spoke emotionally about winning the award for training performance of the season. This was earned for A Step Too Far’s sixth win on the bounce in the Heffernan Tyres Joe McGrath Premier Handicap, under an inspired ride from apprentice Adam Farragher who was winning on her for the third time.

Praising the owners for having faith in the four-year-old and keeping her in training, Cotter said he was “honoured, flattered and nearly embarrassed” to be given the award, a major boost for a stable with 18 boxes. He described the mare’s season as “a long, happy journey in a bleak year” when the Covid pandemic has been such a burden.

Cotter added that it was great to have the fillies’ biggest win at his “local track, one I am very proud of. I hope in 2021 that crowds return to the best racecourse in Europe.” The Portarlington-based trainer was keen to acknowledge the part played in the stable’s success by many, including his parents, his wife Deirdre, his children, the team at Clonanny and, in recent times, Danny Murphy.

TRM sponsored best turned out prizes all season and each of the winners was entered in a draw for a prize of €1,000. The show’s host Thom Malone drew the winner and the lucky recipient was Jackie Paz D’Olivera from the nearby Dermot Weld yard.

Successful

Pat Keogh reflected on what has been a challenging year for racing in Ireland, but which nonetheless was very successful for the Curragh in terms of the quality of the sport. In 2020 racing at the track was watched by a record number of people.

The racecourse chief had many people to thank but he began by extending a special word of appreciation for all frontline workers in Ireland. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, Horse Racing Ireland, owners and sponsors were singled out for mention, though Keogh pointed out that it takes a large volume of people to stage racing, all of whom played a pivotal role.

www.curragh.ie/awards