EMOTIONS ran high at the 29th annual Cartier Racing Awards held in London on Thursday – and not because of the horses being honoured. The climax to the evening was the presentation of the Cartier and Daily Telegraph Award of Merit, and many tears were shed as Pat Smullen was named as the recipient.

The exploits of the multiple champion jockey in the saddle have been somewhat overshadowed since last year by his heroic battle with pancreatic cancer, while his quest to raise much-needed research funding has forever sealed his place in the hearts of racing and non-racing people. Accompanied by his wife Frances, Smullen was given a standing ovation that lasted for the longest time.