RACING: Paddy Mullins may be about to celebrate his 85th birthday next month but the veteran trainer insisted yesterday he has no plans to retire.
After a remarkable year, highlighted by Vintage Tipple's Irish Oaks success and Nearly A Moose's victory in the Galway Plate, the Kilkenny trainer is keen to keep going.
"I have no intention of giving up at this stage, especially after such a good year. I am enjoying it more than ever," he said.
Mullins was speaking at the inaugural Irish Horse Racing Awards, where he picked up the Outstanding Achievement Award.
Dermot Weld picked up the Flat award after another successful year highlighted by Refuse To Bend's success in the Newmarket 2,000 Guineas.
"That would have to be the highlight. Vinnie Roe winning his third Irish Leger was also marvellous and I think more could come from him next season.
"The Ascot Gold Cup is an obvious mid-summer target," Weld said.
The National Hunt award went to jockey Barry Geraghty, who said: "It's hard to believe I had five winners at Cheltenham and won the Aintree National in the one year.
"I'm looking forward to riding Moscow Flyer in Saturday's Tingle Creek Chase at Sandown. He's the apple of my eye and I thought his jumping was better than ever when he won at Navan. Azertyuiop will have to be at the top of his game to beat him."
The Point to Point award went to Padge Berry, who started the career of the former Champion Hurdler Granville Again.
"The best chasers in Britain in recent years have all come from Irish point to points," Berry said.
