IN a few weeks time the winner of the coveted Connolly’s Red Mills/The Irish Field Breeder of the Year will be announced. A dozen monthly winners will go forward for consideration for the overall title. The new winner will be joining an elite and stellar group of previous recipients.

Setting a high standard for the awards, the first winners were David and Diane Nagle of Barronstown Stud for Yeats. He still ranks as one of the greats from the Co Wicklow nursery which has produced the winners of 37 classic and Group 1 races in just over two decades.