2012

WELL-KNOWN equestrian journalist Quentin Doran-O’Reilly died last Saturday, February 18th. He was a staff member of the Irish Farmers’ Journal for 46 years, until his retirement in 2008.

He was the eldest son of the late J. Doran-O’Reilly of the Dublin Evening Mail, Sunday Chronicle, Sunday Times and other British newspapers, and was the first of his four sons who followed him into newspaper, magazine or photography careers.

Quentin continued to contribute to the Irish Farmers’ Journal up to his illness, having started his journalistic career while still at school, becoming a local correspondent for the then Dublin evening papers, a role he continued after joining the Irish Farmers’ Journal in 1962 as a junior reporter.

Quentin then moved into newspaper production, becoming chief sub-editor before going on to be managing editor, as well as editing the Country Living Magazine and building up The Irish Horse section of the paper.

During these years he played a large part in bringing the Irish Farmers’ Journal out of the hot metal era and into the computer age. In fact, he was instrumental in bringing page make-up on computers to the Irish Farmers’ Journal before any other newspaper in the country.

Equestrianism

During these years he continued his freelance work, and was involved in several other book and magazine projects. He then became very involved in equestrianism, taking on the role of editor of Irish Equestrian News. This was published by the then Showjumping Association of Ireland. Eventually he was appointed as editor of The Irish Horse section of the Irish Farmers’ Journal.

He was a former treasurer of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists of Ireland, a founder member and chairman of the Guild of Equestrian Journalists of Ireland, chairman of the South County Hunt, council member of the Irish Pony Society, and founder member of the Kildare/North Leinster region of the IPS.

Quentin leaves behind his wife Noreen, his daughters Darinagh and Joey, and his extended family.

Taoiseach shows support for racing

2012

THE capacity of Ireland’s thoroughbred industry to attract foreign investment was highlighted yesterday by both the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture. Both men attended the opening of the ITBA Expo 2012 in Leopardstown.

Arriving at the venue just minutes after returning from a morning meeting with the Italian prime minister in Rome, Taoiseach Enda Kenny described Ireland as “a leading player in the global thoroughbred market.”

He added: “The Government recognises horse breeding as an indigenous Irish industry that is spread throughout the country, and operating in a premium global market. It is precisely the kind of industry which Ireland needs to sustain and develop as part of our economic recovery.”

Interviewed later by Brendan McArdle of The Irish Field, the Taoiseach said: “You can take it that the entire Government is very supportive of the horse racing industry. Its reputation is second to none, and that is why I am here – to give it that sense of imprimatur.”

Exports

Noting that Irish horses are being exported to destinations such as China, South America, India and Russia, he said: “I’m glad to see Irish horses being bought by those countries who have not done much business with us in the past.”

The Taoiseach also referred to the impending review of the horse racing industry commissioned by the Department of Agriculture. “This was done with a view to determining what, if any, changes are required to the infrastructure and funding mechanism underpinning the industry, to ensure it is well-positioned to meet the challenges that lie ahead.”

The Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney reiterated his belief in the importance of the industry to the Irish economy. “Ireland is the biggest producer of foals in Europe. This is an important area for exports, and we want to keep Ireland in that position,” he said.

NH fillies

The main event on yesterday’s programme was a forum on National Hunt fillies, chaired by Leo Powell of The Irish Field. At the discussion, panellists Jim Mernagh and Richard Pugh were joined by audience member and breeder Michael Hickey in issuing a plea for at least one mares’ race on every racecard, or at least one such race a week.

There were calls for a split programme, similar to that which exists in flat racing, where there are all types of races confined to fillies and mares, from maidens up to Group 1 level.

Timmy Hyde is star of the show

2007

MORE than 360 guests gathered on Saturday night to celebrate the success of Irish-bred horses during 2006. The glittering occasion saw the presence of the Minister for Finance Brian Cowan, together with an array of other politicians and overseas guests.

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association chairman Joe Hernon spoke before dinner, addressing all of the issues confronting the industry in the last year and in the immediate future. In addition to celebrating the racecourse successes of Irish-bred and trained horses, he highlighted the 30% increase in bloodstock sales, the increased prize money pool of €55 million, and the improvements being made to racecourses here.

Welcoming the reappointment of Denis Brosnan as chairman of Horse Racing Ireland, Hernon said that he looked forward to the Curragh putting a case forward for the staging of Breeders’ Cup turf races if they move to Europe.

Timmy Hyde was the star of the evening following his induction into the ITBA Hall of Fame. He joins previous winners HH The Aga Khan, Walter Haefner, John Magnier, Sonia Rogers, Alan Lillingston, Stan Cosgrove, David Pim, Michael Osborne and Liam Cashman. Sir Edmund Loder and Joe Hernon made the presentation.

Sean Collins received the Kildangan Stud lifetime contribution to the industry award, and spoke of the efforts it took to establish the Irish Equine Centre while also stewarding the success of Corbally Stud. Minister Cowan was on hand with HRI boss Brian Kavanagh to present trophies to the breeders of Brave Inco (Denis Macauley), War Of Attrition (Brid Murphy) and Newmill (Veronica O’Farrell).

Employee award

The awards ceremony opened with the Thoroughbred Remedies Ireland industry employee award, given to Tony Coyle. Timmy Hyde and his Quay Bloodstock partner Paul Shanahan took the BBA Ireland three-year-old filly prize for Alexandrova. The Tattersalls Ireland Ltd three-year-old colt award went to George Washington, and Hugo Merry accepted the award on behalf of Roy and Gretchen Jackson’s Lael Stables.

Luke Lillingston stood in for Lord Derby who won the Irish National Stud overseas breeder award for the exploits of Ouija Board. The Irish National Stud itself was in the winner’s enclosure itself when Invincible Spirit won the Doncaster Bloodstock Sales stallion award, with John Clarke accepting the prize.

Older horse

Roy and Belinda Strudwick were present to receive the Coolmore Stud older horse award for Aragorn, while Ballylinch Stud’s John O’Connor took the Ballyhane Stud broodmare award for Pharmacist, the dam of the Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Red Rocks. Ned Morrissey, breeder of Black Jack Ketchum and Fota Island, was a popular winner of the Sean Barrett Bloodstock small breeder award.

Juveniles trained by Jim Bolger won both the two-year-old categories. The Coolcullen trainer also bred the HH Aga Khan Studs’ colt award winner Teofilo, while Liam Cashman was on stage for the second year in a row, picking up the Goffs Bloodstock Sales filly award on behalf of Rathbarry Stud, breeders of Finsceal Beo.

Leo Powell of The Irish Field acted as master of ceremonies for the evening, while the National Events Committee chairman Joe Keappock ended the formal part of the night by thanking his committee members Joe Foley and Jim Mernagh, while reserving special mention for the contribution made by Jacqueline Norris.

Special guests on the night included Franco Castelfranchi, chairman of the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders, Avril Doyle MEP, Senator Paul Bradford, Turf Club senior steward Pierce Molony, Ray McSharry, the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association chairman Noel Meade, and Dermot Ryan from the animal health division of the Department of Agriculture.