Irish Horse Racing Award Winners Announced Con Collins, Ruby Walsh and Cathy Gannon were among the prize winners at the Irish Horse Racing Awards luncheon in Dublin´s Westin Hotel today.Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) hosted the event which also marked the official launch of the 2005 Irish Racing Yearbook, and the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr. John O´Donoghue, TD, was on hand to make the presentations in front of 140 guests from across the racing community.The winners in the six categories were: Racehorse of the Year - Vinnie Roe - Jim Sheridan (Owner). Trained by Dermot Weld and ridden by Pat Smullen to win his fourth Irish Field St Leger & second in Melbourne Cup. Flat - Cathy Gannon. Age 23, Donaghmede, Co. Dublin. The first female Champion Apprentice in Ireland. National Hunt - Ruby Walsh.Age 25, Calverstown, Co. Kildare. Consistent excellence in the top races in Ireland and Britain - major winners included Strong Flow, Azertyuiop and Banasan.Outstanding Achievement - Colm Murphy. Age 30, Gorey, Co. Wexford. Trainer of last season´s top novice hurdler Brave Inca.Contribution to the Industry - Con Collins. Age 79, The Curragh, Co. Kildare. Won Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes this year in his fifty-second season as a trainer. Point-to-Point - Liam Burke. Age 47, Glengoura, Co. Cork. Trained 33 winners in the 2003-04 point-to-point season.Minister O´Donoghue along with Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of HRI, and the Irish Racing Yearbook Editor Mark Costello made brief speeches before the luncheon. These annual awards, voted on by members of the Irish racing and sports media, are designed to recognise and celebrate excellence in the sport of horse racing.
