Nick Luck crowned Broadcaster of Year for tenth time

Racing TV's Nick Luck was named Broadcaster of the Year for a record-extending tenth time at the HWPA Awards in London on Monday.

Luck has been a regular face on the channel almost from its outset and hosts Luck On Sunday in addition to presenting the action from home and abroad.

The 47-year-old was the ceremony's host at Lancaster Gate but had no inkling he had won. Oli Bell presented him with his prize at what was the fifty-ninth year of the Derby Awards.

Luck paid tribute to the others on the Broadcaster of the Year shortlist, with John Hunt, who was also present, getting a standing ovation.

The inaugural Content Award saw a win for another Racing TV employee, Ash Symonds, who got the nod over three others gaining their first nomination.

In his speech at the start of the ceremony, HWPA President David Cleary stated that if racing wanted to attract new audiences it needed to embrace the new media that the entries in the Content Award represented rather than trying to stifle them.

Lee Mottershead  won the Racing Writer of the Year for the fourth time since 2011, while and Patrick McCann gained a third win in the Photographer of the Year category, having previously been successful in 2021 and 2023.

Lee was presented with his prize, the inaugural Alastair Down Trophy, by Alastair's three children Camilla, Clare and James.

The wins for Patrick McCann and Lee Mottershead proved to be the only two on the afternoon for the Racing Post, which was unable to match last year's virtual clean sweep.

Jack Keene of The Sun scooped the Reporter of the Year award, while freelance Debbie Burt took the Picture of the Year for her stunning image of City of Troy getting mud in his eye at last year's Breeders' Cup.

The Specialist Writer of the Year saw a first-time win for Laura Joy, who writes for European Bloodstock News.

Vicki Gibbins of LAB Racing was victorious in the Alan Lee Trophy for Emerging Talent.

There were two awards for Lifetime Achievement. The George Ennor Trophy, given by the HWPA Committee, honoured Jim (J.A.) McGrath, the 'Croc' presented with a trophy in a ceremony at the recent Spring Carnival in Melbourne.

The prolific writer Michael Tanner received a Special Award for his contribution to racing literature.

In the awards for industry participants, Willie Mullins won the Trainer of the Year for the second year running, Sean Bowen landed Jockey of the Year and the Aga Khan Studs was Owner of the Year. The IRB's award to the International Trainer of the Year went to George Scott.

The awards were presented at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, the event generously sponsored by Hong Kong Jockey Club and World Pool, Ladbrokes and My Pension Expert.