O'Brien wins Manager of the Year at RTE 2017 Sports Awards

Aidan O'Brien's achievement in setting a world record for top-level wins in a calendar year was recognised on Saturday night when he won the Manager of the Year accolade at RTE television's 2017 Sports Awards.

The trainer was one of eight nominees for the award, which was decided by a panel of editorial staff from the RTE sports department.

It was presented by O'Brien's son Joseph, and speaking on Sunday the recipient said: "I was delighted and privileged to win the award on behalf of everyone involved at Ballydoyle."

It was a first win for racing in the category, which was introduced in 2011. O'Brien has saddled 28 Group or Grade 1 winners in 2017, surpassing the late Bobby Frankel, who took the record off O'Brien himself when managing 25 in 2003.

Gold Cup-winning jockey Robbie Power was among the nominees for the Sports Person of the Year award, which is voted on by the public and went to Ireland football international James McClean.

Power reflected on Sunday: "It was a great night and it was great to be there and to have been nominated.

"It was a brilliant night for the horse industry, with Aidan deservedly winning the Manager of the Year award – and having Joseph present the award was a nice touch – and I was delighted to see our showjumping team, who won the European Championships, pick up the Team of the Year award."

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