Chris McGrath named Racing Writer of the Year for third time

Racing Post bloodstock editor Chris McGrath has been named Racing Writer of the Year for a third time at the prestigious Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club Derby Awards in London.

McGrath, who picked up the Clive Graham Trophy in 2007 and 2013 for his work with The Independent, ensured a Racing Post journalist was the winner for a third consecutive year, following the successes of Alastair Down and Tom Kerr in 2015 and 2016.

Kerr was again nominated this time, along with Racing Post colleague Peter Thomas and Emma Berry of Thoroughbred Daily News, but it was McGrath who was voted the winner, putting him within one of Down's record four wins in the category.

The late Alan Lee of The Times is the only other writer to have won the award three times and McGrath paid tribute to his former colleague in his acceptance speech when picking up his prize on Monday and again after the awards ceremony.

"I feel humbled to have won this award for a third time," he said.

"My thoughts today are with my great friend and mentor Alan Lee, who we all miss so much and who was a much more deserving three-time winner."

The John Oaksey Trophy for Racing Reporter of the Year went to Marcus Armytage of the Daily Telegraph, a category in which the Racing Post's Bill Barber and David Carr were shortlisted, while Luke Harvey beat fellow ITV presenters Ed Chamberlin and Oli Bell, along with Racing UK's Lydia Hislop, to the Broadcaster of the Year award.

Dan Abraham was named Photographer of the Year – a section in which the Racing Post's Patrick McCann was nominated – while Megan Ridgwell received the prize for Picture of the Year. McCann was also on the shortlist for that award along with Racing Post colleague Edward Whitaker.

Frankie Dettori and Khalid Abdullah capped another remarkable year, in which Enable brushed aside allcomers, by picking up the Flat Jockey of the Year and Owner of the Year awards.

Aidan O'Brien was honoured again with the Flat Trainer of the Year prize, following his record-breaking Group 1 haul in 2017, while Godolphin's Charlie Appleby was International Trainer of the Year for the second year in a row.

There was also acknowledgement for Seamus Buckley, who was presented with the George Ennor Trophy for Outstanding Achievement after he ended his long stint as Goodwood's clerk of the course, while trainer David Elsworth collected the Horserace Writers & Photographers Association President's Award.

In the jumps sphere, Richard Johnson and Colin Tizzard picked up the jockey and trainer prizes.

Read Chris McGrath's winning entries:

New regime at Godolphin has the chance for a fresh start with Coolmore

Great trainer, great breeder – Bolger is a Tesio for our times

ROLL OF HONOUR

Chris McGrath Clive Graham Trophy for Racing Writer of the Year
Marcus Armytage John Oaksey Trophy for Racing Reporter of the Year
Luke Harvey Peter O'Sullevan Trophy for Broadcaster of the Year
Dan Abraham Photographer of the Year
Megan Ridgwell Picture of the year
Seamus Buckley George Ennor Trophy for Outstanding Achievement
David Elsworth HWPA President's Award
Khalid Abdullah Owner of the Year
Aidan O’Brien Flat Trainer of the Year
Frankie Dettori Flat jockey of the year
Colin Tizzard Jump trainer of the Year
Richard Johnson Jump jockey of the Year
Charlie Appleby International trainer of the year
Royal Cavalry of Oman Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club Arabian Award

Look back on a sizzling year of racing in the new edition of the Racing Post Annual, priced at only £12.99, which has 208 colour pages packed with the best stories and pictures of 2017. To buy click here or call 01933 304858