Racing Post journalists dominate HWPA Derby Awards nominations

Racing Post journalists dominate the shortlists for prizes at the 53rd Horserace Writers & Photographers Association Derby Awards (HWPA) in December.

Lee Mottershead has received nominations for two awards, the Clive Graham Trophy for the Racing Writer of the Year, an award he won in 2011, as well as Reporter of the Year.

The Racing Writer of the Year category also features Peter Scargill, who receives his first nomination, while the Post's former bloodstock editor Chris McGrath (Thoroughbred Daily News) is on the shortlist with freelancer Kevin Blake, who was also nominated for the new Specialist Writer Award.

Industry editor and previous winner Bill Barber joins Mottershead in the nominations for Reporter of the Year, alongside Chris Cook (The Guardian) and Marcus Townend (Daily Mail).

Two new awards were introduced this year, with eligible candidates able to put themselves forward for the Specialist Writer Award and Alan Lee Trophy, which recognises emerging talent.

Racing Post tipster Paul Kealy joins Blake on the Specialist Writer Award shortlist, with Matt Bisogno (geegeez.co.uk) and Simon Rowlands also on the list.

In the emerging talent category, young Racing Post journalists Mark Boylan and Jonathan Harding have been nominated. Harry Allwood (Racing TV), Paddy Von Behr (The Times), Alayna Cullen (Thorougbred Daily News) and Ronan Groome (The Irish Field) are in contention for the inaugural award.

Voting for the Racing Writer of the Year and Racing Reporter, open to HWPA members, will open later this week when nominations for the Photographer and Picture of the Year categories will also be announced.

The 2019 HWPA Derby Awards will be held on Monday, December 2 at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London’s West End. Tickets can be booked via hwpacontacts@gmail.com.

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