racing_news/

The HWPA 40th Derby Awards Luncheon - Award Winners
05/12/06

On Monday, December 4, 2006, the HWPA held the 40th Derby Awards at the London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel. Nearly 700 guests attended this famous lunch, which is described as the “Oscars” of racing, being considered the most important in the racing calendar as it is the votes of the expert journalists that secure these important accolades.

Supported by Blue Square, the UK’s leading interactive bookmaker, these annual Awards highlighted the achievements of trainers, jockeys, horses, owners, stable staff and many other aspects of the racing world.

The winners of each Award were as follows:

International Trainer of the Year Award: Brian Meehan

National Hunt Jockey of the Year Award: Tony McCoy

National Hunt Trainer of the Year Award: Paul Nicholls

Photographer of the Year Award: Edward Whitaker (Racing Post)

Flat Jockey of the Year Award: Ryan Moore

Flat Trainer or the Year Award: Marcus Tregoning

Owner of the Year Award: Victoria & Anthony Packenham

Broadcaster of the Year Award: Mike Cattermole (Channel 4/At The Races)

Journalist of the Year Award: Tim Richards (Freelance)

HWPA’s President, Geoff Lester presented the President’s Trophy for achievements that include actions beyond the requirements of their job, to Martin Pipe CBE, the 15 times champion racehorse trainer who has had such an outstanding career.

The George Ennor Trophy, for outstanding achievement in the sport of horseracing, this year went to Ginger McCain. McCain, who retired after the Grand National earlier this year, trained the legendary triple Grand National winner Red Rum and also won the great race in 2004 with Amberleigh House.

The Award that always meets with the industry’s approval is the Blue Square Stable Staff of the Year Award for The d’Avigdor Goldsmid Trophies, which went to two deserving recipients, Clifford Baker (who works for Paul Nicholls) and John Wilsoncroft (who works for Rae Guest). Both received a £500 cheque from the sponsors Blue Square, which was presented by their CEO, Martin Belsham.

The Blue Square Tipster Challenge was won by William Hill’s Ben Clarke who was presented with a cheque for £3,000 by Ben Warn, Blue Square’s Commercial Director.