IRISH racing and breeding’s best awards ceremony was an unqualified success last Saturday night.

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s National Breeding and Racing Awards is long established as the industry’s ‘Oscars’ and every year the event seems to surpass itself in terms of special guests, professional presentation and unforgettable winners.

Back in its traditional late January slot at The Heritage in Killenard, Co Laois, the night was attended by over 300 guests including Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghail, Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, Ministers Pippa Hackett and Martin Heydon, Cork East TD James O’Connor and Senator Fiona O’Loughlin from Kildare.

Princess Zahra Aga Khan and her mother, Princess Salimah Aga Khan, were other notable guests.

Industry contribution

ITBA chairman Cathy Grassick took the opportunity to remind the politicians in the room of the industry’s contribution to the Irish economy.

“Tonight is an opportunity to acknowledge those who have made a lifelong contribution to Irish thoroughbred breeding and a testament to the nearly 30,000 wonderful people we have working in our industry,” Grassick said.

“The ITBA is an all-island organisation and there are thoroughbred breeders in every county in Ireland, providing investment and employment in many disadvantaged rural areas and contributing a significant amount to the Exchequer annually.

“It is an impressive statistic for a relatively small island on the edge of Europe, that we are the largest breeder of thoroughbreds on the continent, and indeed the third-largest producer in the world. This is one of the many reasons that some of the world’s most successful breeders choose to base their operations in Ireland.”

Question time

Minister McConalogue was next on stage for a brief question and answers session with Leo Powell, editor of The Irish Field, who once again acted as Master of Ceremonies.

Admitting his home county of Donegal was not exactly a thoroughbred stronghold, the Minister said his lack of expertise in the industry was more than compensated for by his Department colleagues Pippa Hackett and Martin Heydon. “Both are very across the sector and make sure I strongly support it,” he said.

Looking ahead, the Minister confirmed that the equine sector will be included in the forthcoming Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS) which will allow breeders to apply for grant aid to improve their farms.

The awards committee of Joe Foley, Maurice Moloney, Simon Kerins, Joey Cullen, Sally Ann Grassick, Brendan McArdle and Wendy O’Leary put a lot of work into the evening, backed by the all-new executive team of Una Tormey, Danielle Deveney and Hannah Marks.

It was great to see former ITBA officers Shane O’Dwyer, Kerry Ryan and Regina Byrne present and their contribution to the organisation was acknowledged.