4 minute read
Girls Aloud
EVEN THOUGH WE ARE BARELY INTO FEBRUARY, it feels like this year is already happening apace. Already many foals are being born, and the NH season is in full swing.
The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association awards take place at the end of January every year. It is a sign of the huge respect that the bloodstock industry in Ireland is held to see an incredible turnout every year at this event. It is an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding success of the Irish thoroughbred on the global stage. This year was particularly special as we were joined by the recently appointed Minister for Agriculture, Martin Heydon.
The award for small breeder went to Johnny Connaughton, who has produced so many top-class horses over the years such as Dunboyne Express and more recently Bay City Roller. This was a popular award but made very special as at 93 he made the trip to receive his award in person.
Mick Kinane received the lifetime achievement award for his incredible career in the thoroughbred industry as a jockey, breeder, and purchaser of top-class horses, and it was fitting that one of his most famous purchases Romantic Warrior, bred by the Egan family of Corduff Stud with Tim Rooney, received the award for older horse.
The final award of the evening was the induction into the ITBA Hall of Fame of Eimear Mulhern. This was a unanimously supported award with a standing ovation and special to me for personal and professional reasons. Eimear Mulhern has been a role model and mentor, friend, and client to me for longer than either of us would care to admit to.
There was no “Next Generation” when I joined the ITBA and through her support and encouragement as the first female chairman, I was proud to have the honour to follow in her footsteps as the second.
She has set the bar very high with her many accomplishments and industry roles, such as chairman of Goffs, ITM committee and former HRI board member. I have a long way to go to catch up with her!
There was hardly time to draw breath before the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown was upon us.
Yet again the racing public was treated to two excellent days of topclass NH racing, and it was fantastic to see so many people travel from abroad to enjoy the weekend.
Yet again the Mullins name was to the forefront of the weekend although Willie did not quite reach the dizzy heights of 2024 when he won all eight Grade 1s, he did win three of the four Grade 1s on both Saturday and Sunday. The remaining Grade 1s were landed by Joseph O’Brien’s impressive Solness and Gavin Cromwell‘s exciting young star Irish bred star Hello Neighbour (Harzand).
The undoubted star of the Dublin Racing Festival (DRF) weekend was Galopin Des Champs and the reception that he received after his impressive victory was electric.
The crowded had gathered 20 deep around the parade ring, cheering loudly for their equine hero. It was a very special to see, and it really made you look forward to the thrill of Cheltenham. It was also lovely to hear Paul Townend speak of the horse with such glowing admiration and affection after their victory.
Straight on from the weekend, the Goffs February Sale took place with many Irish and international clients in attendance.
On Tuesday evening before the sale the ITBA held a breeders’ seminar to offer support to breeders through the season. It was a fantastic evening well-attended and was chaired by Cathal Beale of the Irish National Stud, who is also the vice chairman of the ITBA.
He was joined by breeders Olive O’Connor and Micheal Orlandi and veterinary experts Des Leadon and Bena Hickey. Des Leadon was particularly illuminating when discussing such import topics as EVA prevention and testing.
He also gave an overview of the threat of proposed amendments to European Transport Regulations to the thoroughbred industry.
After all this activity in such a short space of time I almost feel like needing a holiday, but as they say no rest for the wicked! As I write this I am watching foaling cameras, carefully waiting for the next exciting chapter in the world of breeding.
