Champion efforts rewarded as awards season hits full swing

Charlie Appleby joined the elite ranks as he was crowned UK Champion Trainer for the first time during the Horserace Writers and Photographers Association (HWPA) Derby Awards last week.

Only 43 people have claimed the title since 1896 and the Moulton Paddocks trainer joins some illustrious names on the list, including four-time Champion Saeed bin Suroor.

An excellent HWPA Derby Awards also saw Appleby receive the Flat Trainer of the Year and International Trainer of the Year accolades, while William Buick picked up the Flat Jockey of the Year prize.

Buick narrowly missed out on the UK Jockeys’ Championship but another Godolphin retained jockey, Mickael Barzalona, looks certain to become Champion Jockey in France for the first time at the end of the year.

Native Trail has already scooped the Cartier Two-Year-Old Colt award and the unbeaten dual G1 winner picked up another prize this week as he was named Outstanding Juvenile at the Racehorse Owners Association Awards.

The Vincent O’Brien National Stakes and Darley Dewhurst Stakes hero looks set for further recognition next month when the official European Two-Year-Old Classifications are unveiled.

February sees the Eclipse Awards presented in the United States, with Godolphin strongly placed to take the Outstanding Owner award for a fourth time following a record-breaking 2021.

Essential Quality, Althiqa and Yibir are set to be in the frame for divisional Champion honours at the same ceremony following their superb exploits in North America this year.