IT’S not a trick question, but how many breeders do you find in a winner’s enclosure? There was a bit of an outcry on social media earlier this summer over owners leading their winners into the winner’s enclosure. The groom who looks after the horse, the one who mucks out, goes out in all weathers, should have this privilege and reward, went the argument.

Of course that person is not always the person leading the horse up. You only have to listen to Aidan O’Brien listing the names of those responsible for looking after a big winner to see it’s not a one-person job. But someone who plays a big role in the development of a horse, and who so rarely if ever gets a mention after a success, is the breeder.

It was also a thought that sprung to mind looking at the obvious joy of winners of the showing classes at the Dublin Horse Show this week, many having been reared from foals by their breeders.

At an ITBA seminar a few years ago, top trainers were unanimous in claiming the breeders’ reward was in the sales ring – no need for anything further, and that was in monetary terms as well as recognition.

Breeders of course span a wide range, from the small farmer with a few mares, to larger commercial stud farm consignors.

At the recent The Irish Field Breeder of the Year awards it was heartening to see the efforts and appreciation that saw breeders travel long distances and take delight in receiving acknowledgement, often many years on, for the horses they had bred.

Many are still filled with nerves watching the horse they bred compete, every bit as involved as an owner or stable lad. Tiger Roll’s breeder Jerry O’Brien had never seen him race until he was taken by the sponsors to Aintree this year.

So, it’s not just those who look after the horse in his racing days that should be rewarded with recognition and appreciation.

If the child is father to the man so too, you could argue, the rearing of the foal is father to the racehorse. And it’s a shame that many times they are forgotten about.

As the yearling sales season approaches, we wish all those engaged in yearling preparation the best of rewards, and not just in the sales ring.