Racing Post's Bill Barber, Alastair Down and Edward Whitaker scoop HWPA prizes
The Racing Post enjoyed a sublime afternoon at the 52nd annual Horserace Writers and Photographers Awards in London on Monday, with Alastair Down named writer of the year, Bill Barber reporter of the year, and Edward Whitaker winning both photographers’ prizes.
Sponsored by the Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club, the awards, which were hosted by Luke Harvey, took place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel.
Down, who was winning his title for a record fifth time, beat longtime colleague Peter Thomas, the Post’s former bloodstock editor Chris McGrath, and Donn McClean for a popular result.
“It means a lot,” said Down, whose accolade made it the eighth time in 11 years a Racing Post writer has won the award. “It’s your colleagues, your competitors voting for you. I thought it was a long-service medal for an old git. I’m 62 and I’ve never had an easy year, but that’s me.
“I have been privileged to pursue a passion for a living and can go home having seen things on racecourses that would make your hair fall out – how many dentists go home and say, ‘Jeez, I did an amazing root canal today’? It doesn’t happen, so lucky me.”
The Post’s industry editor Barber was equally thrilled to scoop the reporters’ prize, fending off stablemate David Carr, The Guardian’s Chris Cook, and Mark Souster of The Times for the John Oaksey Trophy.
“I’m touched people have voted for me,” said Barber. “Mark and Chris are great journalists, while I’ve worked with David Carr for more than 20 years and he’s an absolutely brilliant guy. I’m very proud and very surprised.
“I realise industry stories aren’t everyone’s cup of tea and some will turn over the page when they see one, but I try to make them as enjoyable, simple and interesting as I can and hopefully that gets across.
“This means a lot and I just wish my wife Jenny, who had to work, could have been here – she’s had to put up with a lot.”
Whitaker, the Post’s longtime and widely acclaimed snapper, won the photographer of the year award for a record eighth time, while he completed a unique double by landing picture of the year for the first time.
That was for his stunning shot in Lambourn of a horse silhouetted against the super blue blood moon.
Whitaker’s fellow photographer of the year nominations were Louise Pollard, Alan Crowhurst and Fran Altoft, while Pollard, Steve Davies, John Hoy and Simon Cooper were in the running for picture of the year.
Whitaker said: “Winning never gets boring! The competition gets tougher and I love winning this. I work very hard, but luckily this year I knew my six images to put forward, which was a good sign; you know when you’ve got a good set. It’s all worked out nicely.”
Paying tribute to the winners, Racing Post editor Bruce Millington said: “It’s absolutely fantastic. A double for Ed, who is just the master, while Bill is a superstar. As Luke Harvey said, Bill writes about all the difficult stuff and brings it to life.
“He never assumes his readers know what he’s talking about. He’s very enlightening and a brilliant guy to work with – he’s a brilliant industry editor.
“Then there is Alastair, another master of his trade. Four awards is beyond our wildest dreams and it’s a great win for the three guys, but also for the whole Racing Post team. What a brilliant day