Racing Post writers dominate nominations for Derby Awards

Racing Post journalists have come close to sweeping the board in the nominations for the HWPA Derby Awards, with David Jennings, Richard Forristal and Lee Mottershead in the running for writer of the year.

Jennings has also been nominated for reporter of the year, a category in which colleagues Bill Barber, Chris Cook and Peter Scargill complete an all-Racing Post shortlist.

Keith Melrose and Alan Sweetman are nominated for specialist writer while Maddy Playle, Brian Sheerin and James Stevens make the final six for the emerging talent award.

Jennings broke the story that led to trainer Gordon Elliott's suspension and the judges hailed his "exclusive of the year" while those drawing up a shortlist for racing writer acclaimed his "interesting, entertaining, accessible pieces".

The work of Forristal, the Post's Ireland editor, was described as "essential reading for anyone with an interest in the sport", and Mottershead, a dual former winner of the award, was lauded for his "well-crafted writing style and an impressive command of his subject matter".

Barber, who won the reporter of the year in 2018, was praised for "an entry that offers an excellent investigative piece, backed by a strong news exclusive", while the judges were impressed by "an excellent cross-section of work, with two heavyweight exclusives and an original expose" from previous winner Cook and enjoyed "three original and hard-hitting pieces" from Scargill.

Betting editor Melrose was hailed as "a great addition to the Racing Post team" by those judging the specialist writer field, who said Sweetman's entry showed he was "someone with a most intimate knowledge of their subject".

The emerging talent prize is restricted to those under 30, in any category of the media. Playle was recognised for "a strong, varied set of pieces", Sheerin for an "advanced level of reporting all round" and Stevens for "a well-rounded submission, headlined by a totally original Festival feature".

Previous winners Lydia Hislop, John Hunt and Nick Luck are joined by Jamie Lynch, Stewart Machin, Rishi Persad and Ken Pitterson in the nominations for broadcaster of the year.

Voting on each award, including those for owner, trainer and jockey of the year, opens to HWPA members from Sunday and runs until noon next Sunday.

The winners for the 55th annual awards, supported by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Coral and Vertem Asset Management, will be announced at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on December 6.

HWPA Derby Awards nominations

Writer of the year – for the Clive Graham Trophy

Richard Forristal (Racing Post)
David Jennings (Racing Post)
Jack Keene (The Sun)
Lee Mottershead (Racing Post)

Reporter of the Year - John Oaksey Trophy

Bill Barber (Racing Post)
Chris Cook (Racing Post)
David Jennings (Racing Post)
Peter Scargill (Racing Post)

Specialist Writer of the Year

Kevin Blake (Attheraces.com, Irish Field)
Ian Carnaby (Freelance)
Keith Melrose (Racing Post)
Alan Sweetman (Racing Post)

Emerging Talent Award - Alan Lee Trophy

Adam Houghton (Timeform)
Maddy Playle (Racing Post)
Brian Sheerin (Racing Post)
Jess Stafford (Racing TV)
James Stevens (Racing Post)
Tim Williams (ITV)

Broadcaster of the Year

Lydia Hislop (Racing TV)
John Hunt (BBC Radio 5Live, Sky Sports Racing, course commentator)
Nick Luck (Racing TV)
Jamie Lynch (Sky Sports Racing)
Stewart Machin (Racing TV, course commentator)
Rishi Persad (ITV, Racing TV)
Ken Pitterson (William Hill Radio, ITV)

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