EASTER Sunday at Fairyhouse was the occasion for a celebration of another kind, when the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s North Leinster Region presented six awards, two of which featured perpetual trophies in honour of two pillars of the region, the late George Mernagh and Peter Gibbons.
The region’s chairperson Gay Veitch paid tribute to her committee who “give of their time for the betterment of breeders in the area.” She thanked the six sponsors, The Irish Field, Weatherbys Ireland, Coolmore Stud, Godolphin Ireland, Goffs and Tattersalls Ireland. Richard Pugh acted as master of ceremonies.
Eamon Moloney from Kildangan presented the Peter Gibbons Memorial Trophy to Paul McDonald on behalf of Triermore Stud for Line Of Duty, the Galileo colt who won the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Churchill Downs. He was a group winner also in France in the Godolphin colours.
Former trainer David Harvey stepped forward to accept the Goffs National Hunt hurdler award for the Kalanisi gelding Brain Power, winner of the Grade 2 International Hurdle at Cheltenham. Harvey was given the trophy by his north Co Dublin neighbour Ronan Griffin.
Kerry National and Grade 2 Down Royal chase winner Snow Falcon, a son of Presenting, won the award in that category and Ted Walsh Junior represented Coolmore and presented the award to Katie Gorman, herself representing her father Sean.
LEADING POINTER
The George Mernagh Memorial Trophy for the leading point-to-pointer was won by Just Cause, a son of Boardsmill Stud’s Court Cave, and this gelding has been a model of consistency.
Bred by the late Dorothy de Stacpoole, the poignant presentation was made by Tattersalls Ireland’s Niamh Spiller to Daphne de Stacpoole-Lynch.
Sandra Fox of Ardrums House Stud has been a tireless advocate on behalf of small breeders and her lifetime’s work was acknowledged with the Special Recognition Award. Emma McDonnell of Weatherbys Ireland was on hand to present the engraved trophy. Accompanied by her husband Ian – daughter Wendy was at home of foaling watch – Sandra enjoys enormous respect from her peers and currently is a member of the board of AIRO.
The final award on the day, that for Contribution to the Industry, was given to Peter Downes. Leo Powell made the presentation to the man who for over half a century has produced thoroughbreds at Russellstown Stud, Mullingar, which he runs with his wife Ann. In a lifetime of many achievements, one that stands out has been his work to ensure that all safety helmets were upgraded to make them as safe as possible.
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