DURING the most unusual New Year's Eve celebrations most of us will ever encounter, something magical took place.
Few knew about it. Even less turned up for the gig.
But, to the joy of those who collected the prizes, on Thursday evening the annual black tie 'Yeeehaaa' awards took place at a glittering ceremony attended by well, just me!
There's no doubt 2020 was a Covid year we will all never forget, and it was a miracle for the racing industry that the sport continued at all.
Cheltenham was stuffed in before everything went pear-shaped, but despite Covid highs and lows abounded as usual.
So who took centre stage and gained the most coveted recognition in the Sport of Kings? Let's find out..
Yeeehaaa for the Best Flat performance of 2020
For once this was wide open and subject to a number of different possibilities.
However, the casting vote – by me – fell to Mohaather's success in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
This was not only about a horse who had promised to deliver a sizzling performance, but also the return to the big time of trainer Marcus Tregoning.
The latter of course won the Derby in 2006 with Sir Percy, but has been in the wildnerness for many years after that.
Now Tregoning, always positive and a gentleman, was back.
Jim Crowley was able to get in a bit of trouble and still storm down the outside to score from Circus Maximus, Siskin and Kameko. His turn of foot was superb.
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Yeeehaaa for Best Jumps performance of 2020
Perhaps not the most obvious winner here, as his best effort was not in one of the biggest Grade 1s.
But the Nicky Henderson-trained Shishkin performed miracles under Nico de Boinville to come from off the pace to land the Supreme Novices' Hurdle despite being hampered badly along the way.
He's just a brilliant horse with incredible talent. I love him.
Yeeehaaa for Exciting conditional jockey to follow
Although he might not be currently topping the list, Bryan Carver continues to impress and was superb on Magic Saint for Paul Nicholls in November. This boy can ride.
Yeeehaaa for Exciting apprentice jockeys to follow
Cieren Fallon conitnued to dominate the apprentice ranks with his Group 1 victory on Oxted in the July Cup taking centre stage.
However, Harrison Shaw is getting better all the time and Georgia Dobie is talented for the girls coming through.
Laura Pearson is developing all the time.
Yeeehaaa for jockeys who have excelled
David Bass, Nico de Boinville, Aidan Coleman, Bryony Frost, Richard Kingscote, Jack Mitchell and Tom Marquand all superb.
Yeeehaaa for Jumps training performance of the Year
Willie Mullins often takes this award and does so again for getting the fabulous Faugheen to land a Grade 1 novice chase at Leopardstown and finish a possibly unlucky third in the Marsh Chase at Cheltenham.
Yeeehaaa for Flat training performance of the Year
Tregoning's effort with Mohaather was exceptional, but Joseph O'Brien won a second Melbourne Cup with Twilight Payment his victor.
The young lad is a right chip off the old block and took the number one spot.
Yeeehaaa for being OMG
James Fanshawe for his Breeders' Cup success with Audarya. Was just a great moment of glory.
Tom Eaves was fabulous on Glass Slippers at the same meeting.
Yeeehaaa for saddest loss
That defeat of Faugheen in the Marsh was hard to take, even though the second coming Samcro managed to get up and score.
Faugheen just didn't quite jump enough on the day. If he had done so, I think he would have won well.
Yeeehaaa for most significant breathing op
Politologue. The Champion Chase hero has taken on a new lease of life! Well done Paul Nicholls.
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Yeeehaaa for winning is everything
Al Boum Photo. Rarely seen, but going for a hat-trick of Gold Cups in 2021.
Also Oisin Murphy for being champion Flat jockey in difficult circumstances.
Yeeehaaa for winning is not everything
Altior was stuffed at Kempton on his return. Some have written him off and given up. Not me. Henderson might just have the last laugh somewhere.
Pinatubo suffered many defeats on the level but I still believe he was an absolute beast.
Yeeehaaa if we see them on the track again
Faugheen again. He's some way off a run. Let's hope he gets one.
Yeeehaaa for the most exciting horse to follow in 2021
Monkfish. Envoi Allen. Shishkin. The Big Getaway.
Yeeehaaa for special 100 up
Hollie Doyle did it again in record time. She's dominated the year and it seems her partner Tom Marquand, having just got engaged!
Yeeehaaa for most underrated Group 1 winner
This goes to Serpentine, the Derby winner. Underrated in that he wasn't very good!
Yeeehaaa for clash of the season
The Dewhurst was a cracker. It might not have given the result most wanted, but St Mark's Basilica might still be very good.
Well done for getting through 2020. Now for 2021. Remember there are always people worse off than you and even me! Enjoy life. Happy New Year!
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