THE Northern Region of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association presented awards to local breeders and racing personalities before racing at Downpatrick last Friday week. Gold Cup-winning trainer Noel Chance was the special guest.

A Lifetime Achievement award was presented to Max Ervine from Killyleagh, Co Down. Max has bred numerous top-class racehorses on the flat and has achieved plenty of good prices in the sales ring. Last weekend Max also picked up an award as the breeder of Bubbling, winner of the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket in 2024.

There was also two awards for brothers Craig and Michael McCracken who, with their father Cecil, trade as McCracken Farms. They bred Group 1 winner Facteur Cheval and also the Grade 3-placed mare Queen Of The Mud. Tom Morrow collected those accolades on behalf of the McCrackens.

Sean Maguire of Barron’s Hill Stud was honoured for breeding Aesterius, winner of the Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes last season.

Moving on to the jumps, Barbara Hanna received the Leading Novice Hurdler award for Sixmilebridge, a Grade 2 winner at Cheltenham last January for trainer Fergal O’Brien. The NH Horse of the Year award went to John Yarr of Meadowlands Stud in Co Down for Hello Neighbour, a Grade 1 and Grade 2 winner in juvenile hurdles for trainer Gavin Cromwell last season.

Gerald and John Travers picked up the Leading Point-to-Pointer award for Fountain House, winner of his last four starts for trainer Ian McCarthy including the Bishopscourt Cup at Punchestown.

The Owner-Breeder Award was presented to Maurice Burns and Michael McCartan, breeders of top-class handicaper Dunum.

Picking up the Personality Award was amateur rider Toni Quail, the Co Down woman who was crowned champion lady point-to-point rider last season.

Award winners

Two-year-old colt: AESTERIUS, bred by Sean Maguire

Two-year-old filly: BUBBLING, bred by Max Ervine

Flat older horse: FACTEUR CHEVAL, bred by McCracken Farms

Flat foreign horse: QUEEN OF THE MUD, bred by McCracken Farms

Leading novice hurdler: SIXMILEBRIDGE, bred by Barbara Hanna

NH Horse of the Year: HELLO NEIGHBOUR, bred by John Yarr

Leading point-to-pointer: FOUNTAIN HOUSE, bred by Gerald Travers

Owner-Breeder: MAURICE BURNS & MICHAEL McCARTAN

Personality Award: TONI QUAIL, champion female PTP rider

Lifetime Achievement: MAX ERVINE