HERALD Sun chief racing reporter Leo Schlink has taken out a major journalism award.

Schlink’s scoop revealing thousands of text messages at the heart of a horse racing doping scandal won the Achievements in Sports Journalism at the annual News Awards, presented in Sydney last night.

The Herald Sun’s rorts for votes reports have also been recognised with a major award.

Reporters James Campbell, Matthew Johnston and Alex White won the Achievements in News Reporting award.

The reports have prompted a police investigation into the Andrews Labor Government.