Record-breaking Tipperary-based trainer Aidan O'Brien honoured at Horse Racing Ireland Awards

Aidan O'Brien has won the Flat Award at the annual Horse Racing Ireland Awards in Dublin.

A multiple Group 1 winner once again, the Ballydoyle trainer won at the highest level in Ireland, with Auguste Rodin taking both the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, the trainer’s 100th European Classic win, and the Kingdom Of Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes.

Paddington won the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas while also at the Curragh, Savethelastdance won the Juddmonte Irish Oaks and Luxembourg captured the Tattersalls Gold Cup, with the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes going the way of Henry Longfellow.

Auguste Rodin also gave Aidan O'Brien a record ninth Epsom Derby success and his 17th winner at the Breeders’ Cup in early November, and the following afternoon he was crowned champion trainer for the 26th time.

The 11 winners at the 21st Horse Racing Ireland Awards are:

Contribution to the Industry: Jessica Harrington

Irish Racing Hero Award: Davy Russell

Horse of the Year: Auguste Rodin

Emerging Talent: John Gleeson

National Hunt Award: Paul Townend

National Hunt Achievement: John Kiely

Point-to-Point Award: Barry O'Neill

Flat Award: Aidan O'Brien

Flat Achievement Award: Wesley Joyce

Ride of the Year winner: Amy Jo Hayes

Racecourse of the Year: Ballinrobe