Honeysuckle, De Bromhead and Blackmore feature in 2022 HRI award nominations

Unbeaten wondermare Honeysuckle is in the running to be crowned Horse of the Year for the second time at the 2022 Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) Awards, though she will have to fend off a host of top-class performers such as superstar stablemate A Plus Tard.

Nominations for seven categories at the HRI Awards were revealed this week including other Horse of the Year nominations for Allaho, Energumene, Kyprios and State Of Rest. The winners will be decided by a ballot from the Irish racing media.

Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore – leading players in the Honeysuckle story – have been nominated for the National Hunt Award, facing off against Willie Mullins, Paul Townend and Patrick Mullins.

John 'Shark' Hanlon has been shortlisted for the National Hunt Achievement Award as a result of his heroics with Hewick along with Master McShee's Grade 1-winning trainer Paddy Corkery, Grand National hero Emmet Mullins, dual Irish Grand National winner Dermot McLoughlin and Tony Martin, who saddled Tudor City to become the first multiple scorer in the Galway Hurdle in 39 years.

John 'Shark' Hanlon: shortlisted for the National Hunt Achievement Award for his heroics with HewickCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Irish Flat jockeys' championship 1-2 Colin Keane and Billy Lee are in contention for the Flat Award, vying for the prize with Aidan O'Brien, Joseph O'Brien and Paddy Twomey.

Brian Duffy is nominated for the Flat Achievement Award for his Galway festival win with Magic Chegaga, alongside Willie Browne for his exploits with Spirit Gal, Dylan Browne McMonagle for his breakthrough Group 1 success on Al Riffa and Nathan Crosse on a first Listed winner soon after riding out his claim.

Ado McGuinness is also shortlist for his Galway festival hat-trick in the Ahonoora Handicap, as well as Mikey Sheehy, who followed up on losing his claim with a first Group success.

Colin Bowe, Liz Lalor, David Christie, Barry O'Neill and James Hannon are nominated for the Point-To-Point Award. Jake Coen, Jamie Powell, Sam Ewing and Michael O'Sullivan make up the Emerging Talent Award category.

A public vote will decide the 2022 Ride of the Year, with contenders – chosen by Fran Berry and Davy Russell – announced shortly. Prizes will be presented at a Dublin ceremony on December 5.

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