AIDAN O’BRIEN’S DOUBLE derby winner Camelot leads the running for Horse of the Year 2012.
Ballydoyle’s three-year-old was in scintillating form to win the Epsom Derby by five lengths in June and followed up by claiming the Irish equivalent four weeks later at the Curragh.
Camelot is one of six horses nominated at this year’s Horse Racing Ireland Awards where he is joined by stable-mate Excelebration, winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
Willie Mullins is represented by last year’s winner Hurricane Fly and wondermare Quevega, while Jim Bolger’s unbeaten champion two-year-old Dawn Approach and Punchestown champion chaser Sizing Europe are also in contention for the award.
The winners will be announced on 10 December.
2012 Horse Racing Ireland Awards – Nominees
Horse of the Year: Camelot, Dawn Approach, Excelebration, Hurricane Fly, Quevega, Sizing Europe.
National Hunt: Barry Geraghty, Tony Martin, Tom Mullins, Willie Mullins, Davy Russell.
Flat: Jim Bolger, Aidan O’Brien, Joseph O’Brien, Andy Oliver, Dermot Weld.
Outstanding Achievement: Peter Casey, Tom Gibney, Tom Hogan, Niall McCullagh, David Nagle, Michael Winters.
Point-to-point: Jamie Codd, Ray Hurley, Derek O’Connor, Colman Sweeney.
Winners of the Contribution to the Industry Award and Racecourse of the Year will be announced on the evening.
