WILLIE Mullins, Laura Joy and Patrick McCann were the three Irish winners at this week’s Horseracing Writers and Photographers Association ‘Derby Awards’ ceremony in London.

A year ago Patrick Mullins won the Racing Writer of the Year Award at this event and he was nominated once again for that prize this year. However that trophy went to Lee Mottershead but Patrick was still called to the stage to accept the Trainer of the Year Award on behalf of his father, Willie.