The Racing Post's Peter Thomas named Racing Writer of the Year at Derby Awards

Peter Thomas was crowned Racing Writer of the Year for the first time at the 56th annual Derby Awards in London on Monday, securing an eighth consecutive success in the category for a writer at the Racing Post.

Thomas, whose interview with trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam drew particular praise from the judges, was chosen over freelancers Lydia Hislop and Daragh O Conchuir and Adam Houghton of Sporting Life to receive the Clive Graham Trophy.

Thomas said: "Thank you to many people, editors, features editors – especially Tom Kerr and Dylan Hill – and every sub-editor who has bailed me out. And there have been a lot."

There was a second success at the awards – organised by the Horserace Writers & Photographers Association and sponsored by Hong Kong Jockey Club, Coral and Vertem Asset Management – for the Racing Post, with Jonathan Harding crowned Specialist Writer of the Year.

Jonathan Harding, winner of the Specialist Writer of the Year award, receives his prize from leading owner Emma Banks

Harding dedicated his award to those in racing who have gone out to help people out in Ukraine and said: "I am incredibly grateful to the HWPA and to the Racing Post for giving me so many opportunities so early in my career. This means the world to me."

Harding, who shone with data analysis around minimum prize-money rises, had previously won the Alan Lee Trophy for Emerging Talent in 2019. Megan Dent became the first photographer to land the prize this year.

Nick Luck became just the second person to win two awards in the same year, having been voted Broadcaster of the Year for the ninth time and winning the John Oaksey Trophy for Reporter of the Year for his work on the Nick Luck Daily podcast.

The Press Association's David Davies was a first-time winner of Photographer of the Year, while Alan Crowhurst of Getty Images won Picture of the year for the first time for an image of a seagull flying ahead of the field at Brighton in August.

Alan Crowhurst's image of a seagull flying ahead of the field at BrightonCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Nicky Henderson was the recipient of the George Ennor award for outstanding achievement, while Sir Mark Prescott was voted Flat trainer of the year and Henry de Bromhead picked up the jump trainers' award for the second successive year. Champion jockeys William Buick and Brian Hughes were the winners in their respective categories.

Alpinista's owner-breeder Kirsten Rausing was voted owner of the year and Charlie Appleby won the International Racing Bureau's award for international trainer. The Arabian racing achievement award went to trainer Philip Collington.

Read more great journalism from new racing writer of the year Peter Thomas:

Milton Harris: 'It was relationships, finances... I lost everything because of racing'

Peter Chapple-Hyam: 'I had anxiety, panic attacks... I couldn't speak to anyone'

Colin Tizzard: 'I had to have five pints before I could ask a girl to dance!'

HWPA Derby Awards winners

Racing Writer of the Year (for the Clive Graham Trophy)
Peter Thomas (Racing Post)

Reporter of the Year (John Oaksey Trophy)
Nick Luck (Nick Luck Daily podcast)

Specialist Writer of the Year
Jonathan Harding (Racing Post)

Broadcaster of the Year
Nick Luck (Racing TV)

Emerging Talent Award (Alan Lee Trophy)
Megan Dent (freelance)

Photographer of the Year
David Davies (Press Association)

Picture of the Year
Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

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