Houghton on shortlist for Racing Writer of the Year

Houghton, who had previously been nominated in the emerging talent category in 2020 and 2021, was shortlisted for what the judges described as “well-researched and engaging writing, the article on Baaeed a thoroughly excellent piece with, rarely for nowadays, the horse at its core."

The others in the running to win the Clive Graham Trophy are the Racing Post’s Peter Thomas and the freelancers Lydia Hislop – a columnist on Sporting Life – and Daragh Ó Conchúir.

HWPA Derby Awards shortlists
Racing Writer of the Year – Clive Graham Trophy
Lydia Hislop (freelance)
Adam Houghton (Sporting Life/Timeform)
Daragh Ó Conchúir (freelance)
Peter Thomas (Racing Post)

Reporter of the Year – John Oaksey Trophy
Jonathan Harding (Racing Post)
Nick Luck (Nick Luck podcast)
Lee Mottershead (Racing Post)
Daragh Ó Conchúir (freelance)

Picture of the Year
Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)
David Davies (Press Association)
George Selwyn (freelance)
Edward Whitaker (Racing Post)

Photographer of the Year
David Davies (Press Association)
Tim Goode (Press Association)
Patrick McCann (Racing Post)
Edward Whitaker (Racing Post)

Emerging Talent Award – Alan Lee Trophy
Mark Boylan (Racing Post)
Megan Dent (freelance)
Daniel Overall (freelance)
Maddy Playle (Racing Post)
James Stevens (Racing Post)
Kitty Trice (Racing Post)

Specialist Writer of the Year
Emma Berry (Thoroughbred Daily News)
Jonathan Harding (Racing Post)
Jon Lees (Thoroughbred Racing Commentary)
Alan Sweetman (Racing Post)

The three articles which earned Houghton his Derby Awards nomination:
Adam Houghton discusses the significance of Desert Crown's win in the Dante Stakes and what a sixth victory in the Epsom Derby would mean for Sir Michael Stoute
Adam Houghton underlines how comparisons between Baaeed and Frankel – the greatest racehorse in Timeform's history – are premature
Adam Houghton discusses the stud career of Kingman, who looks set to re-establish his status as a top-class stallion after a couple of quieter years