STAR filly Minding was crowned Horse of the Year 2016 at today’s Horse Racing Ireland Awards.

Minding, trained by Aidan O’Brien and owned by Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Michael Tabor, won five of the seven Group 1 races she contested this year. She was successful in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May and the Epsom Oaks before taking the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October.

National Hunt Award

The National Hunt Award went to champion trainer Willie Mullins, who had another fantastic season with 34 Grade 1 wins worldwide, including seven at the Cheltenham Festival. Willie also saddled six Grade 1 winners at the Punchestown Festival, won the Guinness Galway Hurdle in July and enjoyed a first Classic winner with Wicklow Brave in the Palmerstown House Estate Irish St Leger at the Curragh.

Flat Award

Aidan O’Brien won the Flat Award after a truly remarkable year where he enjoyed 22 Group 1 wins worldwide along with a 1-2-3 in both the Newmarket 1,000 Guineas and the Prix De l’Arc De Triomphe. Champion trainer in Ireland once again with 117 victories, he was also Champion Trainer in Britain with 13 Group 1 victories alone.

Outstanding Achievement Award

Trainer Mouse Morris won the Outstanding Achievement Award, which was decided by both the Irish racing media and racing fans. Mouse remarkably saddled the winner of both the Irish Grand National and the Aintree Grand National in the same season. Rogue Angel and Ger Fox prevailed in the BoyleSports Irish Grand National, while just 12 days later, Rule The World and David Mullins won the Aintree Crabbie’s Grand National.

Point-To-Point Award

Jockey Jamie Codd picked up the Point-To-Point Award after winning a second national rider’s title despite suffering a serious injury on the opening day of the season. Jamie also guided Cause Of Causes to a second consecutive Cheltenham Festival win before deputising aboard On The Fringe to win the Aintree Foxhunters and he also recorded a first winner at the Galway Festival.

Racecourse of the Year Award

The Racecourse of the Year Award went to Galway Racecourse. It was selected by the Racegoers’ Consultative Forum based upon the best all-round customer experience.

Chairman of HRI, Joe Keeling commented: “The Horse Racing Ireland Awards allow us to shine the spotlight on the amazing achievements in Irish racing throughout the year. As always, the standard of nominations was extremely high and I would like to congratulate the very worthy winners and wish everyone in the Irish racing industry continued success in 2017.”

The award winners received bronze trophies, created by sculptor Siobhan Bulfin.