Perfect end to Oxx's great year

Trainer John Oxx was yesterday awarded the Philips sports manager of the year award for his outstanding successes with Sinndar in the English and Irish Derbys and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

The unassuming Oxx, one of the top trainers in the world, was selected for the award ahead of 11 other monthly winners, who included Kerry football manager Paidi O Se, Leicester City manager Martin O'Neill (now with Celtic), Munster rugby coach Declan Kidney and Jim McBride, the Irish Paralympics chef de mission. Oxx joins a prestigious roll call of Irish managers who have won the award, including Jack Charlton and Brian Kerr from soccer and Mick O'Dwyer and Sean Boylan from Gaelic games. At the ceremony, which took place in the Berkeley Court hotel yesterday afternoon, Oxx said: "It's an honour to win this prestigious award because I'm aware of the distinguished company. I know this because I do hold an interest in other sports."

Of Sinndar, now worth £10 million and standing at stud, Oxx was ringing in his praise. "You will find it with top horses that they have it when it comes to the crunch when other horses fall apart, but the very best of them have the right temperament for big occasions. He (Sinndar) never worries about anything. In Longchamp, where he received a lot of attention, he just turned his backside to the door and fell asleep. "I never expected anything, although we did have hopes," said the trainer. "In April we thought that we might have a Derby horse. He is the first I have had who I thought might have had an Epsom Derby in him. Every time he ran he ran seven pounds better than before."

Oxx, the first Irish trainer to collect the two Derbys and the Arc in one year, was presented with his prize by Philips managing director, Cel O'Reilly, and guest of honour Dr Jim McDaid, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation. "We are delighted to announce John Oxx as the Philips sports manager 2000 in recognition of his hard work and triumphant wins and for stamping `made in Ireland' on this sport of kings," said O'Reilly. The highlights of Oxx's career before Sinndar were the achievements of Ridgewood Pearl, winner of the Irish 1,000 Guineas, the Coronation Stakes, the Breeders' Cup Mile and the Prix du Moulin.

Monthly winners December '99: Declan Kidney (Munster Rugby)

January 2000: Anthony Jenkins (Denny Notre Dame)

February: Martin O'Neill (Leicester City FC)

March: Warren Gatland (Irish Rugby team coach)

April: Dermot Keely (Shelbourne FC)

May: Eamon Coleman (Derry football team)

June: John Oxx (Trainer of Sinndar)

July: Seb Peeters (Irish men's lightweight rowing)

August: Barney McGonigle (Irish schoolboys rugby)

September: Brian Cody (Kilkenny hurling team)

October: Paudie O'Shea (Kerry football team)

November: Jim McBride (Irish Paralympics chef de mission)