Voting for the sixth edition of the His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Horse Racing Excellence Awards is now open to the public who can have their say in who ultimately wins two of the categories on the honour roll.The two categories in which race fans can cast their votes are the ‘People’s Choice’ and ‘Best Local Jockey’ awards.
The People’s Choice Award was won last year by Saudi trainer Sarah Al Qahtani, while the Best Local Jockey prize was won in 2022 by Antonio Fresu, who eventually finished the runner up in the UAE Jockeys Championship. The nominations for this award are decided by the top four jockeys, by wins, in the preceding UAE racing season.
Italian rider Fresu will try to defend his crown and is up against 10- time UAE Champion Tadhg O’Shea of Ireland, as well as England’s Richard Mullen and Bernardo Pinheiro of Brazil.
The People’s Choice Award recognises a horse or individual who has contributed a lot to racing and captured the public’s imagination. The 2023 nominees are Cody’s Wish, Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner, Baaeed, winner of six Group Ones in Europe during 2022, the soon-to-retire jockey Joao Moreira, and super sire Galileo, who died in 2021.
There are six further categories which are decided upon by statistical analysis or an expert panel and are not open to public vote. These are Best Horse, Best Owner, Best Trainer, Best Jockey, Lifetime Achievement and the Excellence Award. These will be announced on the day of the awards ceremony.
