Orville Clarke , Freelance Writer 
FILE -
DISTINCTLY IRISH... top contender.
VOTING for Horse of the Year and other awards not determined by statistics takes place in the Director's Room at Caymanas Park today, when Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) hosts its annual None Such/Horse of the Year media luncheon at noon.
The 18-member 'Horse of the Year' committee, comprising members of the press and select racing officials, will also vote for first runner-up Horse of the Year, second runner-up as well as Champion Sprinter, Champion Middle Distance Performer, Champion Stayer, Champion 2-Y-O, Champion 3-Y-O, Champion Older Horse, Claimer of the Year, Outstanding Trainer, Most Improved Trainer and Most Improved Rider.
TOP CONTENDER
Top contender for Horse of the Year is the Red Stripe Derby and Superstakes winner DISTINCTLY IRISH, who is owned by Hamark Farms (Howard Hamilton), trained by 14-time champion Philip Feanny and bred by Ken Gooden. Significantly, they are the same connections who teamed up to win the coveted award in 2003 with A KING IS BORN.
In addition, DISTINCTLY IRISH won the Track Price Plus 2000 Guineas in April, the Governor General's Stakes in October and the Harry Jackson Memorial Cup over 2400 metres on Boxing Day to amass record stakes of $7.7 million, thanks to six wins from eight starts. He should, by unanimous acclaim, take the Champion
3-y-o and Champion Stayer awards as well.
A KING IS BORN, who beat a glittering field under top weight of 58.0kg (including his half brother Distinctly Irish) in the UBA Gold Cup over 1400 metres on December 11, is almost certain to be voted first runner-up by virtue of six wins from eight starts as a 4-y-o last season.
CHAMPION 2-Y-O
The Champion 2-Y-O award will more than likely go to Richard Azan's KAMIR by virtue of his decisive win in the $2.25 million Supreme Ventures Jamaica 2-Y-O Stakes over 1600 metres on Boxing Day, a race in which he had his talented stable-companion COLTRANE behind in third.
BROTHER DANIEL has sound claims for Claimer of The Year, but he faces four formidable nominees in KING AL, FLYING TIGER, BOUND FOR GLORY and MR. VIGOROUS.
The champions already determined by statistics are Trevor Simpson (champion jockey), Feanny (champion trainer), Ruth Hussey (champion owner), Henry Jaghai (champion breeder), Royal Minister (champion sire) and Delroy Shaw (champion groom) from the stables of Ryan Darby with 14 wins.
The awards will be announced at the annual None Such/Horse of the Year dinner on the evening of Thursday, February 10 at the Hilton Hotel, New Kingston.
