Racing Post's Lee Mottershead crowned racing writer of the year for the fourth time at Derby Awards

Lee Mottershead was crowned racing writer of the year for the fourth time after receiving the Alastair Down trophy at the Horserace Writers and Photographers Association Derby Awards on Monday.

A Racing Post writer was guaranteed to win the award for the 11th year in a row and it went the way of Mottershead, the 2011, 2019 and 2021 winner, at the awards lunch at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London.

He beat his colleagues David Jennings, Peter Thomas and last year’s winner Patrick Mullins to the award, and said: "I worked on the Racing Post team at the big festivals and big racedays with Alastair for many years. It was always a pleasure and a privilege to work with Alastair, so to receive the Alastair Down trophy is a colossal honour.

Lee Mottershead was crowned racing writer of the year for the fourth timeCredit: Francesca Altoft Photography

"To be on a nominations list with people as talented as Patrick, Peter and David feels like an achievement in itself. I’m now in my 30th year working for the Racing Post. I love it every bit as much as I ever did, and I’m blessed to work with people and on a sport that I adore."

Patrick McCann was another big winner for the Post when scooping the photographer of the year award for a third time, having previously been successful in 2021 and 2023.

Patrick McCann was crowned photographer of the year for the third timeCredit: Francesca Altoft Photography

McCann said: "It’s such an honour to be nominated with the calibre of talent. It’s still a privilege to go to work on racecourses, around people who constantly raise the bar.

"A huge thank you to my employers at the Racing Post and my colleagues who help me on a day-to-day basis."

Patrick McCann's award-winning HWPA portfolio

Horses exercise in the seaCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

A close-up shot of a jockeyCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Aidan O'Brien oversees his stringCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Horses in actionCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

A mud-splattered jockey in the rainCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The John Oaksey trophy for reporter of the year went for the first time to The Sun’s Jack Keene, while freelancer Debbie Burt took picture of the year for her image of City Of Troy getting mud in his eye at last year’s Breeders’ Cup.

The inaugural Content Award went the way of Ash Symonds, with Laura Joy of European Bloodstock News (specialist writer of the year) and LAB Racing’s Vicki Gibbins (Alan Lee trophy for emerging talent) taking honours for the first time.

Ash Symonds won the inaugural Content AwardCredit: Francesca Altoft Photography

Ceremony host Nick Luck was unsuccessful in his bid for a third reporter of the year title, but he landed broadcaster of the year for the tenth time.

There were two awards handed out for lifetime achievement. The George Ennor trophy, given by the HWPA committee, went the way of Jim McGrath, with the ‘Croc’ presented with his trophy at the recent spring carnival in Melbourne, while Michael Tanner received a Special Award for his contribution to racing literature.

Nick Luck was crowned broadcaster of the year for the tenth timeCredit: Francesca Altoft Photography

In the awards for racing’s participants, Sean Bowen was crowned jockey of the year after his first title-winning season. Willie Mullins added the trainer of the year award to his two trainers’ championships for 2025, George Scott won international trainer of the year, and the Aga Khan Studs took owner of the year.

Horserace Writers and Photographers Association Derby Award winners

Racing writer of the year: Lee Mottershead (Alastair Down trophy)

Photographer of the year: Patrick McCann

Reporter of the year: Jack Keene (John Oaksey trophy)

Picture of the year: Debbie Burt

Content Award: Ash Symonds

Specialist writer of the year: Laura Joy

Emerging talent: Vicki Gibbins (Alan Lee trophy)

Broadcaster of the year: Nick Luck (Peter O'Sullevan trophy)

Lifetime achievement: Jim (J.A.) McGrath (George Ennor trophy)

Special Award for contribution to racing literature: Michael Tanner

Trainer of the year: Willie Mullins

Jockey of the year: Sean Bowen

Owner of the year: Aga Khan Studs

International trainer of the year: George Scott

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