A year of highs and lows for Ryedale

THE JOCKEY OF THE YEAR was undoubtedly Kieren Fallon. The former Norton-based rider came back from a career-threatening injury to regain the jockeys' championship and win the title for the fourth time in five years. The determination he showed in rebuilding his left shoulder - badly damaged in a fall at Royal Ascot in June last year - speaks volumes for his commitment. It took time for him to reach the peak of his powers this year, and indeed, some doubted he would ever be as good a jockey as he was before his accident. But a Classic winner on Golan and yet another championship proved to all and sundry that the multi-talented Fallon is made of pretty stern stuff.

While Fallon's return to the top of the pile made the headlines, it would be unfair not to pay tribute to the sterling year enjoyed by his arch-rival Kevin Darley. The Sheriff Hutton rider, who became the first nothern-based jockey in living memory to win the championship during Fallon's enforced absence in 1999, enjoyed an even better year this time around. But it was not quite enough to keep Fallon at bay in the final standings.

THE TRAINER OF THE YEAR is impossible to single out and could be shared by a whole host of hard-working local handlers. The Easterbys, Tim and Mick, continued to send out bunches of winners, in both winter and summer, while several others with less ammunition at their disposal, also did particularly well. John Quinn, largely thanks to useful sprinters Smart Predator, Fantasy Believer amd Taras Emperor, enjoyed a memorable campaign on the Flat, as did John Wainwright, courtesy of Vita Spericolata and Beyond The Clouds. Tim Etherington, who had a purple patch with the likes of Kestral and Lydia's Look, also did well. James Hetherton lacked both quantity and quality in his stable, but he continued to send out winner after winner during the summer, many owned by Ryedale-born Peter Bottomley with his Swynford-named horses.

THE HORSE OF THE YEAR was Pipalong, who continued to run her heart out in top-class sprinting company and who boosted her prize-money earnings to more than £400,000 throughout her final campaign. Triumphant in the Duke Of York Stakes on Knavesmire in May, the Tim Easterby-trained superstar ended her star-studded career with a fine third-placed effort in the Prix de l'Abbeye at Longchamp in October. This Group One-winning speedster, was subsequently offered for sale at Newmarket and changed hands as a potential brood-mare for a mammoth 600,000 guineas - a far cry from the 7,000 guineas paid for her by the Easterbys as a yearling.

THE MAIN ACHIEVERS OF THE YEAR were widespread. Guinea Hunter's 33-1 success in the Stewards' Cup at Goodwood, was a major achievement, while his juvenile stablemates, Good Girl, Pepperoni and Bollin Eric also gained notable victories for Tim Easterby. Essyoueffcee was a Listed-race winner for Mick Easterby. Among other useful handicap winners were: Henry Hall, Vita Spericolata, Beyond The Clouds, Smart Predator, Taras Emperor, Fantasy Believer, Pandjojoe, Dancing Bay. Over the jumps, the likes of Banker Count, Moss Harvey, Turgeonev, Sharpastrizam, Latalomne, and, of course, Grade One-winning hurdler Barton, all had wins.

THE HISTORY-MAKING ACHIEVEMENT OF THE YEAR was recorded by Peter Niven, who became only the sixth jump-jockey in Britain - and the first Scotsman - to ride 1,000 winners.

Niven's feat (subsequently equalled by Adrian Maguire) was achieved on Colourful Life at Wetherby in May, and he has since hung up his boots with the intention of setting up as a trainer in the near future just outside Malton. His deep knowledge of the game and his reputation as a dedicated professional should go a long way to ensuring he makes a successful transition from one role to the other.

THE SADDEST LOSSES OF THE YEAR were on the equine front. To see Young Kenny fatally injured at Haydock was a bitter blow to his trainer Peter Beaumont, while Malcolm Jefferson also suffered similar heartbreak when Dato Star collapsed and died on the Langton Wold gallops. Both horses had done their connections proud and, through their achievements, had become hugely popular with National Hunt fans throughout the country.

Young Kenny, a top-notch staying chaser, enjoyed his finest moment when winning the Scottish Grand National, while Dato Star earned his position as Britain's top-rated hurdler with a string of spring-heeled performances. Horses like them come around all too rarely.

THE FONDEST FAREWELLS OF THE YEAR were reserved for three local horses, Pipalong, Sugarfoot and Superior Premium, who all performed at the highest level and who have now been retired to stud, and one trainer, Julie Camacho, who is to hand in her licence next month.

The 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week regime of a trainer with only limited equine talent at her disposal was finally enough to convince Julie, mother of a young daughter, that there were other things she wanted to do with her life. We wish her well.

Pipalong will need only to transfer her ability and giant-sized heart to her progeny to produce a champion in years to come, while Sugarfoot and Superior Premium, having performed with distinction for Nigel Tinkler and Richard Fahey respectively, likewise have admirable qualities in abundance to pass on in their new roles as stallions.

THE UNSUNG HEROES OF THE YEAR were, as always, all the stable staff, who work long hours in fair weather and foul, looking after the horses that provide us with the sport we all love so much.

THE BEST LOCAL BOOK OF THE YEAR was "A Furlong To Go," the hilarious autobiography of the incomparable Colin Tinkler Snr, chronicling his colourful career in racing.

THE BIGGEST HOPE OF THE YEAR AHEAD is that racing in Ryedale continues to thrive, that everyone involved achieves their ambitions, and that peace and prosperity are the hallmarks of 2002.

* Tom O'Ryan is a staff writer for The Racing Post.

Updated: 10:14 Thursday, December 27, 2001