Attrition scoops top honour

War Of Attrition was named Horse of The Year at the annual Irish Horse Racing Awards at the Westin Hotel in Dublin.

War Of Attrition was named Horse of The Year at the annual Irish Horse Racing Awards at the Westin Hotel in Dublin.

The totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup hero galloped to a famous success at Prestbury Park in March, confirming the faith trainer Mouse Morris had always held in the seven-year-old.

Ruby Walsh picked up the top National Hunt rider prize for a third consecutive year, with the Flat equivalent going to Declan McDonogh, who was rounding off a wonderful year in which he was crowned champion jockey for the first time.

Top point-to-point honours went to JT McNamara, who has piloted more winners in this sphere than any other rider and is famed for his association with Enda Bolger's veteran Spot The Difference.

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The award for outstanding achievement went to John Smith's Grand National-winning jockey Niall 'Slippers' Madden, while Kevin Prendergast was rewarded for his contribution to the industry.

The awards were presented by Minister for Arts, Sport & Tourism John O'Donoghue, TD, who said: "We are witnessing a golden era of unprecedented success in Irish Racing."

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, said: "2006 was a year of great achievement on the racetrack for Irish horses and our attendance and betting figures are on target to surpass last year.

"We had record prize money and a record number of horses in training, and with significant capital developments underway at Navan, Dundalk, Galway and the Curragh we have much to look forward to in 2007."