The Guardian and Observer’s Chris Cook won the John Oaksey Trophy for Racing Reporter of the Year at the Horserace Writers and Photographers Association Derby Awards on Monday.
Cook won the award, which was inaugurated in 2012, for the second time in three years ahead of the Times’ Alan Lee, the Racing Post’s Jon Lees and the Telegraph’s Tom Peacock, who were the other shortlisted nominees.
Cook gained the Racing Reporter award following voting by members of the HWPA on his three submitted articles, the 40th anniversary of the Gay Future betting coup at Cartmel, Kieren Fallon winning the 2,000 Guineas and Tony McCoy’s 4,000th winner.
Nick Luck of Channel 4 and Racing UK was announced the winner of the Peter O’Sullevan Trophy for Broadcaster of the Year for the sixth time. Luck was voted Broadcaster of the Year, an award founded in 2004, in 2013, 2011, 2009, 2008 and 2007 as well. He succeeded ahead of Matt Chapman, Lydia Hislop and John Hunt.
Richard Hannon won the Trainer of the Year in 2013 after three Flat Award successes (2010, 1993 & 1992) and handed over the licence to his son and assistant Richard at the end of last year. So while the 2014 Trainer of the Year Award goes to Richard Hannon, it is the younger version who has succeeded in his first season in charge from John Gosden, Dr Richard Newland and David O’Meara.
The contenders for the riders’ award also came from both the National Hunt and Flat worlds, with Andrea Atzeni, Richard Hughes, A P McCoy and Ryan Moore the nominees. Moore has enjoyed a brilliant year on the international stage and was voted the 2014 Jockey of the Year by members of the HWPA.
Alan Lee was voted Writer of the Year for a joint-record third time. Lee joins the Racing Post’s Alastair Down as the only-three time winner of this prestigious award, having already won the Clive Graham Trophy in 2004 and 2001.
Prince Khalid Abdullah has also had a year to remember and he is Owner of the Year for the fifth time after previous success in 2012, 2011, 2010 and 1986. The other nominees were Hamdan Al Maktoum, Frank Gillespie and the Preston Family & Friends.
Veteran trainer Clive Brittain gained the George Ennor Trophy for Outstanding Achievement, in recognition of his tremendous career since taking out a licence in 1972, while the President’s Award went to Jonjo O’Neill, trainer and former jockey.
David Simcock is the International Trainer of the Year in an award decided by the International Racing Bureau.
