Dragon’s Den star Gavin Duffy will be the host of the evening at the new Irish Sport Horse Industry Awards, due to take place in the five-star Radisson Blu St. Helen’s Hotel at Stillorgan in Dublin on April 22nd.

At a reception in the hotel today it was also announced that the independent judging panel for the awards is chaired by former Minister for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton.

Organiser of the event, Liam Geddes, said that the awards would recognise excellence on a national and global scale “whether in employment, product or service which continues to ensure recognition that we are in fact a global player in every respect.”

He went on: “Our achievements in industry and world rankings across many disciplines are deserving of celebration and the inaugural Irish Sport Industry Awards will recognise this on a gala occasion where the industry will come together for an evening of celebration.

“We expect that the attendance on the night will reflect the global influence and respect that the Irish sport horse industry commands.”

It was also revealed that the ceremony would be live streamed on the night by Darragh Equestrian Solutions Media Division in association with Horsin’ Around Productions.

The industry awards will cover a total of 14 categories, from breeding to technology.

Jack Burns