THE importance of the breeding and racing sectors in Northern Ireland was highlighted by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association chairman Stephen Collins in his address to a sell-out audience at the region’s awards on Saturday.

Held for the first time in conjunction with the Festival of Racing at Down Royal, the event was a huge success and award winners and guests were treated to a great day of entertainment.

The breeding and racing industry in Northern Ireland is estimated to generate £32 million of direct and indirect expenditure. Horses bred in the region had another very successful year on the track and a total of 10 awards were presented.

These awards were sponsored by The Irish Field, Darley, Coolmore, Goffs, Tattersalls Ireland, Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, Equilume, Weatherbys and by the ITBA itself.

Flat awards were won by Cecil and Martin McCracken (Best Solution), Charles Foy (Arcanada), Brian Kennedy (Gabrial) and Eithne Hamilton (Tuttipaesi), while the National Hunt winners were Ray Charles (Maple Mons), Fred Mackey (Native River), Felix Talbot (Un Temp Pour Tout) and Maynard Hamilton (Stephanie Frances).

Two special awards were given on the day. The region’s chairman Denis Macauley presented an award for outstanding achievement to trainer David Christie, while Stephen Collins congratulated the winner of the contribution to the industry award winner Hugh Ferguson.

The ITBA’s CEO Shane O’Dwyer was delighted with the response to the new format and venue, and paid tribute to Regina Byrne and Kerry Ryan for their input. into the success of the day.