ITBA 2016 from Conference Services on Vimeo.

A RECORD crowd of over 400 people attended the ITBA National Breeding and Racing Awards in The Heritage, Killenard, Co Laois, last Saturday.

They witnessed a piece of history as Galileo was inducted into the ITBA Hall of Fame, joining his sire Sadler’s Wells as the only horses bestowed with this honour.

With 50 Group 1 winners to his name and 35 stakes winners in 2015 alone, Galileo is one of the few stallions whose name is instantly recognisable to those outside our industry.

Accepting the award on behalf of Coolmore Stud, trainer David Wachman reckoned Aidan O’Brien put it best when he said of Galileo’s progeny ‘they never lie down’.

Video tributes were paid by Mick Kinane, Jim Bolger and bloodstock journalist Bill Oppenheim. Recalling his Epsom Derby win aboard Galileo, Kinane said: “He was made for Epsom, so beautifully balanced.” Of Galileo’s offspring, he added: “They’re sound, they walk and they try. They love racing.”

Jim Bolger was famously among the first to support Galileo at stud and how lucrative that proved. Teofilo emerged from Galileo’s second crop and the trainer-breeder recalled: “His fee of €37,500 that year was the best value of all time.”

Gay O’Callaghan of Yeomanstown and Morristown Lattin Stud and Yeomanstown Stud was surprised with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Widely regarded as perhaps the best judge in the thoroughbred business, Gay was described as “the ultimate horseman” by Ciaran ‘Flash’ Conroy in a video tribute. Others to relay their compliments on camera included Tom Gaffney of Coolmore, bloodstock agent Cormac McCormack, John Ferguson of Godolphin and Gay’s sons David and Guy.

Arguably the best reception of the night was for the Hyland family of Oghill House Stud in nearby Monasterevin, who received the Special Recognition Award. The Hylands have been breeding to sell since at least 1948 but the operation has moved to a new level in the past year.

They topped the 2014 December Foal Sale at Tattersalls with a Sea The Stars colt and in 2015 they bred 27 individual winners, nine of them rated over 100, including Group 1 winner Marcel and Royal Ascot scorer Washington DC. Cheered to the stage by a big band of supporters, Pat, Hugh and John Hyland represented much of what is great about the Irish bloodstock industry. Oghill House Stud’s success can be attributed to experience, hard work, smart decision making and a quiet determination to upgrade their stock.

Another memorable moment was provided by John Troy who received the Wild Geese Award, reserved for Irish people who have made an impact on the international bloodstock stage.

John’s entry into racing began with mitching from school to watch Royal Ascot on television and he went on to work for Jim Bolger (then in Clonsilla, Co Dublin), before moving 26 years ago to Newmarket where he has established Willingham House, now a leading base for boarding mares and sales consignments. Breeder Rebecca Phillips and Curragh trainer Bill Farrell led the tributes to John who was clearly very proud to be recognised by his peers.

Coolmore Stud dominated the flat racing awards – Minding, Found and Order Of St George all topping their divisions. Their stable companion Air Force Blue is American-bred and this allowed dual Group 1 winner Shalaa scoop the two-year-old colt award for Mogeely Stud. Mark Gittins picked up this award on his way to the airport with wife Aisling Kinane for a belated honeymoon.

Eva-Maria Bucher Haefner of Moyglare Stud was on hand to receive the older horse award on behalf of Free Eagle. This award was presented by Matt Dempsey, chairman of the Irish National Stud, where Free Eagle now stands.

There was a poignant moment when Michael Hickey took to the stage to receive the Chaser award for breeding Grade 1 winner and Gold Cup third Road To Riches. The award was presented by Niamh Woods, daughter of Michael’s good friend Liam Cashman who had been honoured on this night 10 years earlier.

Glens Melody has given owner-breeder Fiona McStay many great days and, now retired, the mare is in foal to Shantou at Moygannon Stud in Co Down. She earned the National Hunt Racemare award for her breeder who, along with daughters Michelle, Aisleen and Louise, was producing sweet melodies of her own in the residents’ bar afterwards.

Co Tipperary breeders Denis and Teresa Bergin are best known for producing sprinters but they were delighted to pick up the Best Young Horse award for Cheltenham bumper winner Moon Racer.

There is no bigger race over jumps than the Aintree Grand National and what a thrill it was for Midleton breeders Aidan and Mary Aherne when Many Clouds stormed to victory at Liverpool last April. The winner’s dam Bobbing Back also produced Grade 1 winner The Tullow Tank and deserved her Broodmare award.

There is possibly no bigger fairytale success in breeding today than Faugheen. Bred from a modest mare in Tuam, Co Galway and sold for just €4,000 as a foal, the Champion Hurdle winner has put breeder Dr John Waldron on the map. He received the Hurdler award a day before Faugheen once again showed his huge engine at Leopardstown.

AWARD WINNERS

Best Two-Year-Old Filly: MINDING

Presented by John Barrett of Sean Barrett Bloodstock Insurances Ltd to Christy Grassick of Coolmore Stud, representing Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt

Best Irish-bred Two-Year-Old Colt: SHALAA

Presented by Stephen Collins of Derrinstown Stud to Mark Gittins of Mogeely Stud

Best Three-Year-Old Filly: FOUND

Presented by Eric Hoyeau of Arqana to David O’Loughlin of Coolmore Stud, representing Roncon, Wynatt & Chelston

Best Three-Year-Old Colt: ORDER OF ST GEORGE

Presented by Noel Meade of Horse Racing Ireland to Maurice Moloney, Harry King & David O’Loughlin representing Paget Bloodstock

Top Older Horse: FREE EAGLE

Presented by Matt Dempsey of the Irish National Stud to Eva Maria Bucher Haefner

Broodmare: BOBBING BACK

Presented by Ronan Murphy of Weatherbys Ireland to Aidan and Mary Aherne

Best Young NH Horse: MOON RACER

Presented by Declan Landy of Declan Landy Fencing to Denis and Teresa Bergin

National Hunt Racemare: GLENS MELODY

Presented by Neil Walsh of Tattersalls Ireland to Fiona McStay

Chaser: ROAD TO RICHES

Presented by Niamh Woods of Rathbarry & Glenview Studs to Michael Hickey of Sunnyhill Stud

Hurdler: FAUGHEEN

Presented by Nick Nugent of Goffs to John Waldron

Wild Geese Award: JOHN TROY

Presented by Eddie Fitzpatrick of Coolmore Stud

Special Recognition Award: HYLAND FAMILY/OGHILL HOUSE STUD

Presented by Pat Downes of HH Aga Khan Studs to Pat, Hugh and John Hyland

Lifetime Achievement: GAY O’CALLAGHAN

Presented by Gerry Duffy of Kildangan Stud

Hall of Fame: GALILEO

Presented by Minister for State Tom Hayes, TD, to David Wachman, representing Coolmore Stud