HRI awards for Colin Keane and Barry Geraghty

Champion flat jockey Colin Keane and recently retired former champion national hunt jockey Barry Geraghty were honoured at Horse Racing Ireland Awards announced today.

Legendary racing figures Barry Geraghty and John Oxx were among the winners of the annual Horse Racing Ireland Awards 2020 announced and there was additional success for Meath as champion jockey Colin Keane was the winner of the Flat Award.

Geraghty, who thrilled National Hunt racing fans throughout his 23-year career during which few big prizes eluded him, was honoured with the Irish Racing Hero Award.

Champion jockey on two occasions, the Drumree man won both the Aintree Grand National and the Irish Grand National.

Two wins in the Gold Cup, four Champion Hurdle wins and a remarkable five victories in the Champion Chase featured among a Cheltenham Festival haul of 43 winners with five of those coming at his final Cheltenham in March this year..

The Flat Award went to Trim man Colin Keane who was crowned champion jockey for the second time in November.

He reached a three-figure tally for the season for a third time and among his 100 winners in Ireland were Siskin, a first Classic success in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas and Even So, winner of the Juddmonte Irish Oaks.

He also won the Group 1 Coolmore Matron Stakes on Longines Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown in September.

The 10 winners of the 18th annual awards were:

Contribution to the Industry Award: John Oxx

Irish Racing Hero Award: Barry Geraghty

Horse of the Year Award: Al Boum Photo

Emerging Talent Award: Gavin Ryan

National Hunt Award: Rachael Blackmore

National Hunt Achievement Award: Eugene and Maxine O’Sullivan

Point-to-Point Award: Colin Bowe

Flat Award: Colin Keane

Flat Achievement Award: Tony Mullins

Ride of the Year: Gavin Ryan