MAYSON was declared the Yorkshire Racehorse of the Year at a prestigious awards ceremony.

The Richard Fahey-trained four-year-old was voted the year’s outstanding thoroughbred by the county’s racing journalists and representatives of the colt attended the annual Go Racing In Yorkshire lunch at York Racecourse to pick up the gong.

Mayson won the Listed Abernant Stakes at Newmarket in April, took the Group 3 Palace House Stakes at Newmarket the following month and then gave Musley Bank-based Fahey, and jockey Paul Hanagan, their first British Group 1 success when victorious in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket.

His wonderful year concluded when he was mugged by Wizz Kid in the final strides of the Group 1 Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp last month.

Mayson has retired from the track and goes to stud at Cheveley Park, who bought a majority share in him in August, next season.

He beat off stiff competition to win the award, with contenders including the likes of Norton trainer John Quinn’s Grade 1 Cheltenham winner Countrywide Flame and Great Habton handler Tim Easterby’s promising juvenile Body And Soul.

Easterby picked up his fifth top Flat trainer title, his total of 48 victories on the county’s nine tracks giving him victory by two from Fahey. Danny Tudhope was top Flat jockey with 43 winners.

The jumps titles went to trainer Donald McCain and jockey Danny Tudhope respectively for their efforts on Yorkshire’s three National Hunt venues.

Pocklington owner-breeder Reg Bond, who has owned the likes of Stewards’ Cup winner Bond Boy and bred Hoof It, was given a Lifetime Achievement Award.