Matt Chapman’s racing awards of the year – Constitution Hill, Flightline… and a surprise winner of best ride

ANOTHER year draws to a close which can only mean one thing — the annual Yeeehaaa awards are back!

Oh yes people, after racing’s so-called bigwigs churned out their cliche gongs I’m ready to hand out the only ones in the game that actually really matter. So let’s get proceedings under way.

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Yeeehaaa . . . for Performance Of The Year

IN the blink of an eye this goes to Constitution Hill for his romp in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle that left Jonbon and racing fans in awe.

The ultimate equine machine has since proved that was not a one off blitz and Nicky Henderson’s boy is just a monster for Owner Michael Buckley.

A man who has nearly won a Breeders’ Cup Classic incidentally. Wow.

Yeeehaaa . . . for Horse Of The Year

FLIGHTLINE has to get this after he destroyed a quality field in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

The ease in which he galloped past Life is Good was something to behold. Just a shame he’s already having nights out with a load of mares.

Yeeehaaa . . . for Ride Of The Year

MIGHT not be everyone’s this, but I thought Patrick Mullins was sensational on Billaway in the hunter chase at Cheltenham.

The in-running comment says it all of: “Midfield, mistake 4th, headway after 12th, bad mistake 18th, soon ridden, went third but 10 lengths down after 3 out, disputing second when 6 lengths down last, kept on strongly final 110yds, led final strides.”

Heroic for those who had lumped on the 13-8 favourite.

Yeeehaaa . . . for Celebration Of The Year

HARRY SKELTON scores high for his aeroplane antics on Ashtown Lad in the Becher at Aintree.

Some snotty-nosed racing fans don’t like jockeys to show their emotion when they win. I do.

I’m happy to see aeroplanes anytime you want to give them to us Harry.

Yeeehaaa . . . for Tactical Ride Of The Year

REMEMBER the Vertem Futurity and Auguste Rodin and Ryan Moore coming to the stands side in a little group? Well that was genius I tell you.

The team walked the track as always and had a plan. It was a brilliant one.

Yeeehaaa . . . for World’s Number One Trainer

STAND up Charlie Appleby. He has been sensational in 2022 once again and his strikes away from the UK have been out of this world.

He banged in three once again at the Breeders’ Cup and he rightly sits as the best trainer on planet earth. He also seems to be an incredibly nice bloke . . . which bring me on to the next award.

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MORGAN FAIRY (2.40 Lingfield) can fly to success for Tom Marquand who returns from his working holiday in Japan. She has not had heaps of racing and looks to have been found a good spot by William Haggas. It is an open race but she might just have too much class.

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Yeeehaaa . . . for Is He Really That Nice?

DAVID EGAN has had another huge year and will be ever more involved with Roger Varian’s yard. He seems to be charming every time I see him. But is he really that nice? Are you, David?

Yeeehaaa . . . for Jump Race Of The Year

NO doubt about this one. It goes to Shishkin vs Energumene in the Clarence House Chase at Ascot nearly a year ago.

It’s not often these match races — and there was a bit more depth in that field than just a match – live up to their billing but this did.

Energumene had Shishkin at one stage, but then the latter kicked in the turbo. That was special. Special I tell you.

Yeeehaaa . . . for Most Under-rated Jump Jockey

TALKING of Shishkin, I have to hand this to Nico De Boinville. Nicky Henderson’s No1 — known as the ‘Iceman’ — never gets much praise but rarely makes mistakes and is stronger than most give him credit for.

His Chantry House ride last season was terrific. I’m definitely a fan.

Yeeehaaa . . . for Horse We Loved Who Let Us Down

HAS to be Baaeed. He was awesome and had a rating to match. But it was a huge disappointment when he got beat at Ascot.

We came, we saw, he was conquered. I was gutted.

Yeeehaaa . . . for Worthy Champion

WILL BUICK has improved and improved — and is now the perfect jockey. Well done.

Yeeehaaa . . . for Flat Training Combo Of The Year

GOOD news here for the Baaeed connections, because Maureen and William Haggas have proved once again they are just the best couple and simply top notch trainers.

The Haggas clan went close to being the champion outfit last season and while it will be hard to take on the might of Godolphin their talent means it can never be ruled out they will conquer all.

Yeeehaaa . . . for Shock Of The Year

BAYSIDE BOY. Who saw that coming in the QEII?!

Yeeehaaa . . . for Total Domination

GOES to who else but Willie Mullins? In a league of his own all year long and banged in six of the seven winners at Leopardstown on Tuesday. Sensational. It’s going to be another long year for the rest!

Yeeehaaa . . . for Farewell Of The Year

DAVY RUSSELL. Brave, bruised, battered, brilliant. Man of steel, literally. A legend of the game who never let you down. Davy, we’ll miss ya.

Well, that’s all for 2022, folks. It’s been another tough one for everyone but we’ve had our moments.

Fingers crossed 2023 is better, eh? At least it should be for Oisin Murphy who will be back in the saddle next month! Yeeehaaa!

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