DISTINCTLY IRISH is expected to be named 'Horse of the Year' at the XVI annual None Such/Horse of the Year Awards dinner at the Hilton Hotel, New Kingston, on the evening of Thursday, February 10 starting at 7:00.The choice of 'Horse of the Year' has come down to a straight fight between the half brothers and stable-companions DISTINCTLY IRISH and A KING IS BORN, both owned by Howard Hamilton, trained by 14-time champion Philip Feanny and bred by Ken Gooden.
Hamilton won the award in 2003 with A KING IS BORN and although it is rare for the same owner to win back-to-back awards, it is not unique. THE VICEROY won it consecutively for his owners, the Roman Syndicate in 1989 and 1990. He duly won it again in 1992 to become the only three-time winner.
One thing is certain on the big night, the top award will not be a unanimous choice.
At the recent balloting exercise which took the form of a press luncheon hosted by CTL on January 11, two senior media personnel were adamant that A KING IS BORN was their choice to win the award for a second straight year.
To support their argument, they pointed to the fact that A KING IS BORN allowed DISTINCTLY IRISH weight and beat him into second place in the UBA Gold Cup over 1400 metres on December 11. This was a race contested by all the big guns, thus giving further credence to their argument.
In most instances, it is not who beats who, but who wins what that determines 'Horse of the Year'. I recall that in 1987, PRINCE CONSORT won the Red Stripe Superstakes by the proverbial city block from the Trinidadian horse BAREE BARIN and the Triple Crown winner MONDAY MORNING. Despite this it was MONDAY MORNING who won the award, as in addition to the Triple Crown, he won the Gold Cup that year.
The awards for 'Most Improved Trainer' and 'Claimer of the Year' should be close, but the favourites appear to be Barrington Rambally and Mr. Vigorous, respectively.
The awards dinner is being sponsored by Capital & Credit Merchant Bank. Entertainment will be provided by Harold Davis and Friends, Keisha Patterson and Cuban dancers, while there will also be a fashion show.
Gate prizes are airline tickets for two to the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park courtesy of Air Jamaica; second prize a weekend for two at the Half Moon Hotel; and, third prize a weekend for two at Negril Tree House Resort, courtesy of Negril Tree House Resort.
Contribution: $2,000 pre-sold, $2,300 at the venue. Tickets are available at the Racing Office, Caymanas Park.
- O.C.
