Unanimity is not to be expected in deciding on Awards and there were some particularly tough calls this year, especially for Horse of the Year.

The Lyons-Mound’s EQUILEA DU HAUTY (5 wins from 6) eventually got the verdict over the Foody’s ECUME DE MER (6 wins from 9) by the narrowest of margins, mainly on the basis that she finished ahead on the two occasions the two met, including in the £15,000 Gold Le Trot Championship final. The Award will be presented, along with that for the HofY from the other 28 countries, at the Le Trot International ceremony at Vincennes on Friday evening the 1 December.

We are privileged to have two such excellent fillies, now generating lively controversy about which will prove best in 2018 over a variety of distances.

The Aged Horse of the Year was also very close with SACHA OF CARLESS (3 wins and 1 second from 5 starts), just edging out SULKY DU BLEQUIN (2 wins and 2 seconds from 5), and T’ES TROP FOOT (3 wins and a third from 6).

Congratulation to all the winners, especially to trotting newcomers JODY and JACK FOODY on the preparation and driving of ECUME DE MER. And to stalwarts PHIL O’NEILL and JOHN FOY, on their continuing high performances with the older trotters.

Congratulations again to ANDREW CAIRNS, who drove both 3yos and Aged horses to victory this year, his seven wins earning him the honour of representing us in the international Drivers race at Vincennes on December 2nd.

We hope the Young Driver (JAK FOODY) and Woman Driver (THERESE FONTAEUS) awards will bring new interest next year. We will set out the detailed rules for all categories before the start of racing in 2018.

Horse of Year: EQUILEA DU HAUTY 5 wins (6 starts)

Driver of Year: ANDREW CAIRNS 7 wins 4 seconds 1 third

Young Driver of Year: JAK FOODY 5 wins 3 seconds

Woman Driver of Year: THERESE FONTAEUS 2 wins

3yo Horse of Year: EQUILEA DU HAUTY 5 wins (6 starts)

3yo Driver of Year: JAK FOODY 5 wins 3 seconds

3yo Trainer of Year: JODY FOODY 6 wins 3 seconds

Aged Horse of Year: SACHA OF CARLESS 3 wins 1 second

Aged Horse Driver of Year: PHIL O’NEILL 5 wins 3 seconds 2 thirds

Aged Horse Trainer of Year: JOHN FOY 7 wins 4 seconds 1 third

Awards will be presented at the BHRC & STAGBI Annual Awards Event on Saturday 3rd February 2018.