The Sir Peter O'Sullevan Award Lunch

Nicky Henderson OBE

This annual event is the principal fund-raising initiative of The Sir Peter O’Sullevan Charitable Trust, which was set up in 1999 following the success of the first two Annual Award Lunches.

The perpetual bronze in the shape of Peter’s own racing binoculars, sculpted by Janie Beardsall, is awarded for a lifetime’s contribution to the sport. It already bears the names of some of the most renowned and respected people in horseracing.

The 2023 Award was presented to Nicky Henderson OBE.

The 2024 Lunch will again be held at the Dorchester on Thursday 28th November 2024.

Recipients of the Award

Nicky Henderson OBE

2023

Nicky Henderson OBE

John Magnier

2022

John Magnier

Jessica Harrington

2021

Jessica Harrington

Aidan O’Brien

2019

Brough Scott MBE

Aidan O’Brien

2018

Aidan O’Brien

Hugh Mcllvanney OBE

2017

Hugh Mcllvanney OBE

John Gosden

2016

John Gosden

AP McCoy OBE

2015

AP McCoy OBE

La famille Head

2014

La famille Head

Martin Pipe

2013

Martin Pipe

Sir Henry Cecil

2012

Sir Henry Cecil

JP McManus

2011

JP McManus

Clive Brittain

2010

Clive Brittain

Reg Hollinshead

2009

Reg Hollinshead

Lord Oaksey OBE

2008

Lord Oaksey OBE

Michael Dickenson

2007

Michael Dickinson

Aga Khan

2006

Aga Khan

The Balding Brothers

2005

The Balding Brothers

The Balding Brothers

2005

The Balding Brothers

Dick Francis CBE

2004

Dick Francis CBE

Pat Eddery

2003

Pat Eddery

HM The Queen

2002

HM The Queen

Vincent O'Brien

2001

Vincent O'Brien

Lester Piggott

2000

Lester Piggott

HM Queen Elizabeth

1999

HM Queen Elizabeth

Major Dick Hern

1998

Major Dick Hern

Marquess of Hartington

1997

The Duke of Devonshire KCVO CBE DL

Johnny Jonas

Portraits of the Award Winners

Born in 1948, Johnny Jonas is an international and multi-talented artist, portrait painter, composer and inventor. The culmination of his formal art training was in 1972 when he won a place at the famous Academmia di Belle Arti in Florence, and later at the Fine Art Academy in Perugia. During his studies he began to paint everyday life scenes and this led him to become essentially a painter of people.

In 1979 he moved to Grimaldi, a small medieval village overlooking the French Riviera, Monte Carlo and Cannes. Here he began the series of paintings which have become the hallmark of his work – people going about their everyday life, in street cafes and market squares, in and around Monte Carlo, orchestra and opera rehearsals, circus, casino, jazz and cabaret.

He returned to England in 1985, and a chance invitation to the races inspired a series of exhibitions themed around the British Sporting Year, including ‘A Day at the Races’ and ‘Looking for a Winner’. His fascination lay as much with the urgency and action of the sport as with the punters, the bookies, the randomness of people enjoying themselves.

His many commissions include military campaigns for the Royal Artillery, the Royal Engineers and Royal Logistics Corps, the assembly of the main drill for Eurotunnel, and portraits of Sir Geoffrey Howe, Lord Vincent, Lord Wakeham, and more recently, the official portrait of H.M. Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.