WE waited and waited, eventually to no avail. Our hopes of hosting the annual get-together for the Connolly’s Red Mills/The Irish Field Breeder of the Year announcement had to be abandoned.

A dozen winners, by popular vote, of our monthly competition were amazingly patient, not even being able to celebrate by displaying their silver salvers to family. We kept on hoping that a window of opportunity would present itself, and that Pat Keane in the Hanged Man’s could host what would have been our 15th annual celebration dinner.

Finally, we had to reluctantly admit defeat, and this week, almost a year late, 10 of our monthly winners received their trophies. Heartiest congratulations to all the winners, each thoroughly deserved.

What makes all of these successes extra special is that they are voted for by the public. Sometimes the breeder of the best horse in a particular month will not win, victory going to a small breeder instead.

Household names

I started working in this industry in June, 1976. Now, some 45 years later, I can look back on many famous names who have been successful breeders. Sadly, some of the household names of my youth are gone, and some forgotten. The changing face of the breeding world means that many of today’s participants would not even recognise some of the best breeders we ever had.

I am especially thrilled therefore that both our National Hunt and Flat Breeder of the Year for 2019-20 are household names. What a pleasure it was on Thursday to join Joe Connolly as we surprised both Jim Mernagh and Moyglare Stud’s Malachy Ryan by presenting them not only with their monthly accolade, but also with the grand prize.

Backbone

As long as I have been professionally involved with breeding, sales and racing, Jim Mernagh and the Walter Haefner-founded Moyglare Stud have been the backbone of the business. How fitting then that both should be honoured in the same year.

Today, Eva Maria Bucher Haefner has taken the reins at Moyglare, and she and Jim Mernagh at Coolamurry share one thing – a passion and love for what they do, and pride in the history of their farms.

Having access to places such as Moyglare and Coolamurry is an honour for me, a privilege that I never take for granted. To see what goes into the production of the racehorses that provide our sport with its key ingredient is to savour all that is good about what we do.

All breeders should take a bow – your often unheralded work is a national asset.