IT was a great night for the Irish and horses trained here took three awards. It was a special night for Sabena and David Power who were joined on stage by their daughter Tessa to collect the leading sprinter accolade for Sole Power. This seven-year-old Eddie Lynam trained gelding beat his stable companion Slade Power, the Tom Hogan-trained Gordon Lord Byron and G Force to get the nod in a most competitive category. Mrs Power spoke from the heart when she paid tribute to her two stars and all of the teams who have played their part in the successes. Sole Power has won more than £1.5 million to date.

The Ballydoyle/Coolmore team were prominent as two of their stable stars were honoured. Leading Light’s thrilling victory in the Ascot Gold Cup was enough to ensure that he beat off all-comers to collect the award for leading stayer. Paul Smith, owner of another of the nominees in Kingston Hill, accepted the prize. Sadly the colt’s future racing career hangs in the balance. MV Magnier was in the limelight as he was presented with the two-year-old colt award for Gleneagles, the seventh such award Team Coolmore and Aidan O’Brien. .