IT has been a year of mixed fortunes for Wicklow breeder Noel C. Hamilton who lost his 23-year-old mare Glen Heste Princess this summer.

From the Glen Heste bloodlines built up by Noel, the Uibh Fhaili mare was a full-sister to Princess Royale, the dam of dual Dublin champion stallion Gortfree Hero and was also the dam of John Bracken’s Uibh Fhaile Duchess.

By Ballinrobe Boy, this 15-year-old earned this year’s Horse Sport Ireland top Irish Draught show mare award for her connections, while her Scrapman filly foal scored an All Ireland and Dublin championship double this year.

However, Noel’s absence at the awards last Wednesday was later explained as he thought the awards were on the following night and was actually en route to Mallow on Thursday afternoon when he was alerted by someone phoning to congratulate him on his win!

His trophy was finally claimed when Noel received it instead at the IDHBA Wicklow branch awards last Sunday.