WITH perfect timing, something that you associate with the Voice of Racing, the late Sir Peter O’Sullevan, the winner of the annual award in honour of the great broadcaster is Willie Mullins, multiple Irish champion trainer, twice British champion trainer, and now a Breeders’ Cup hero.

Mullins will be celebrated in front of the biggest lunch hosted at the Dorchester Hotel each year, this year’s event set to be held on Thursday, November 27th. Each year, the funds raised from the auction of 10 lots, with Nick Nugent wielding the gavel, are used to help a number of charities that were close to the heart of Sir Peter.

Nigel Payne believes that the lots to be sold this year are the best yet. The first is the Johnny Jonas portrait of Willie Mullins, while the final lot is a true piece of racing history, Sir Peter’s annotated racecard for Shergar’s Irish Derby win.

It was the only time he commentated on a Shergar race, the only time the colt was ridden by Lester Piggott, and the greatest jockey signed the card. This is a priceless piece of racing memorabilia.

A trip for four to Ballydoyle and Coolmore with a stay in the Cashel Palace, a rare painting of Lester Piggott by Sue Crawford, a Terence Gilbert original of Nick Rockett and I Am Maximus jumping the last in the Randox Grand National, a magnificent bronze titled ‘The Irish Thoroughbred’, and a chance to be a character – good or bad – in the next Felix Francis thriller are among other lots that will have immense interest in Ireland.

Interested bidders can make enquiries or place bids before Thursday’s lunch with Nigel Payne at nigelearthsummit@outlook.com or Mike Dillon at mikedillon1000@gmail.com