TATTERSALLS auctioneer Todd Watt was the recipient of the Special Recognition Award at the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's 2020 National Breeding and Racing Awards on Saturday evening.

This year's awards ceremony was staged online and saw 14 awards presented, with special videos recorded with many of the winners.

Highlight of the evening were the tributes paid by 15 friends and colleagues of Todd Watt to the auctioneer who has been in poor health recently.

Special Recognition Award sponsored by @RathbarryStud goes to Todd Watt. A man admired by all @tatts_ireland #itbawinners https://t.co/xbm6dGqKKa

— ITBA (@ITBA_Official) January 30, 2021

Hosted by Leo Powell, Editor of The Irish Field, the awards ceremony commenced with an address by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who acknowledged the success of the Irish thoroughbred industry.

Address by An Taoiseach Micheál Martin @MichealMartinTD @merrionstreet https://t.co/sdexP3O1Wb

— ITBA (@ITBA_Official) January 30, 2021

This year's Hall of Fame inductee is the Irish National Stud. The award was presented "in recognition of the Irish National Stud’s invaluable contribution to the Irish thoroughbred industry over many decades and for the contribution it continues to make; from the stallions it stands, to the world-renowned thoroughbred breeding course and the impact the stud makes as a national tourist attraction."

ITBA is delighted to induct the INS into our Hall of Fame. An accolade it truly deserves @IrishNatStud #itbawinners https://t.co/Gi6G80GuI1

— ITBA (@ITBA_Official) January 30, 2021

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue accepted the award on behalf of the stud.

The Wild Geese Award went to the Gordon Cunningham of Curragmore Stud in New Zealand.

Our 11th Award, Wild Geese Award, sponsored by @Agakhan Studs, goes to Gordon Cunningham @Curraghmore Stud #itbawinners https://t.co/c4XLSUduUM

— ITBA (@ITBA_Official) January 30, 2021

Gordon has flown the Irish flag with great pride for over two decades in the southern hemisphere. He has taken the time to welcome and nurture many young and emerging Irish breeders who made their way to New Zealand.

ITBA chairman John McEnery said: “Despite all the many challenges facing the industry in 2020, Irish breeders and Irish-bred horses continued to excel on both the national and international stage.

"We are indebted to our loyal sponsors without whom we would be unable to stage these awards.

"We were delighted with the level of participation and engagement by the many viewers, who tuned in from all corners of the bloodstock world via social media to acknowledge the wonderful people and horses who made 2020 such a memorable year for the Irish thoroughbred breeding industry."

FULL LIST OF THE AWARD WINNERS

Next Generation: CLARE MANNING

Our 1st award, the Next Generation Award sponsored by Declan Landy Fencing, goes to Clare Manning @boherguy @umanning1 #itbawinners https://t.co/TbSmtgjeHt

— ITBA (@ITBA_Official) January 30, 2021

Novice Hurdler of the Year: SHISHKIN

Breeder: CJ & EB Bennett

Our 2nd award, Novice Hurdler Of The Year sponsored by @tatts_ireland goes to the breeders of Shishkin CJ & EB Bennett #itbawinners https://t.co/71wxFHF6Tw

— ITBA (@ITBA_Official) January 30, 2021

Novice Chaser of the Year: CHAMP

Breeder: Philip & Jane Myerscough

Our 3rd award The Novice Chaser Of The Year, sponsored by @IrishNatStud goes to the breeders of Champ, Philip & Jane Myerscough #itbawinners https://t.co/JtvIYoXDew

— ITBA (@ITBA_Official) January 30, 2021

Hurdler of the Year: PAISLEY PARK

Breeder: Michael Conaghan

Our 4th award Hurdler Of The Year, sponsored by @weatherbysltd goes to the breeder of Paisley Park Michael Conaghan @MichealC12 #itbawinners https://t.co/HIbDJviBe4

— ITBA (@ITBA_Official) January 30, 2021

Chaser of the Year: ALTIOR

Breeder: Paddy Behan

Our 5th award Chaser of The Year, sponsored by @HRIRacing goes to the breeder of the mighty Altior, Paddy Behan @BehanRose #itbawinners https://t.co/D0HL4PTbPP

— ITBA (@ITBA_Official) January 30, 2021

Breeder of the Year: RINGFORT STUD

Our 12th Award, sponsored by @coolmorestud is for Breeder Of The Year and it goes to @RingfortStud @veitchg #itbawinners https://t.co/yKtzpE5O6m

— ITBA (@ITBA_Official) January 30, 2021

Two-Year-Old Filly of the Year: AUNT PEARL

Breeder: Ecurie Des Charmes & Ballylinch Stud

Our 6th Award, 2YR Old Filly Of The Year, sponsored by @DarleyStallions goes to Aunt Pearl, @EcurieCharmes @BallylinchStud #itbawinners https://t.co/870u7p7pyG

— ITBA (@ITBA_Official) January 30, 2021

Two-Year-Old Colt of the Year: SUPREMACY

Breeder: Kangyu International Racing

Our 7th Award, 2YR Old Colt Of The Year, sponsored by @InfoArqana goes to the breeder of Supremacy @KIR and @SackvilleDonald #itbawinners https://t.co/teFkhljhS0

— ITBA (@ITBA_Official) January 30, 2021

Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year: LOVE

Breeder: Coolmore

Our 8th Award, 3YR Old Filly Of The Year, sponsored by Sean Barrett Bloodstock Insurances goes to the breeder of LOVE @Coolmore #itbawinners https://t.co/bBdW3r2mBU

— ITBA (@ITBA_Official) January 30, 2021

Three-Year-Old Colt of the Year: PINATUBO

Breeder: Godolphin

Our 9th Award, 3YR Old Colt Of The Year, sponsored by @Derrinstown goes to the breeder of Pinatubo @Godolphin #itbawinners https://t.co/NQkI1ebDKF

— ITBA (@ITBA_Official) January 30, 2021

Older Horse of the Year: GHAIYYATH

Breeder: Springbank Way Stud

Our 10th Award, Older Horse Of The Year, sponsored by @Goffs goes to the breeder of Ghaiyyath, Springbank Way Stud #itbawinners https://t.co/aAzWxUvoE2

— ITBA (@ITBA_Official) January 30, 2021

Wild Geese Award: GORDON CUNNINGHAM

Special Recognition Award: TODD WATT

Hall of Fame 2020: IRISH NATIONAL STUD

EIGHT-PAGE ITBA BREEDERS' UPDATE IN THE IRISH FIELD NEX WEEKEND