THERE was a fantastic reception and a guard of honour as Dr Jennifer Pugh, Senior Medical Officer for the IHRB, was surprised at Fairyhouse last Sunday and presented with the HRI Contribution to the Industry Award.

Surprise

Was it really a surprise? Jennifer’s husband Richard Pugh, P2P.ie supremo and a director at Tattersalls Ireland, takes up the story: “We landed the surprise, you only had to look at Jennifer to know she hadn’t an idea in advance. I’d like to thank Barbara (White) and all at HRI who were involved.”

Richard couldn’t risk telling the couple’s two boys Christopher and Conor in advance in case they let something slip, so the babysitter was scheduled to let them know after their parents had left for the races and then they were collected to come racing on that special day.

“Ironically, because of Covid and restrictions, it was better for Jennifer in that her family could be there for the whole day from 10-11am with us rather than just for the usual Awards lunch.

“Her parents Mayne and Linda Kidd - Mayne used to be a trainer - her twin sister and former amateur rider Jackie and her husband Russell Ferris of Weatherbys and her brother Stephen and his wife Yanita were all there. As well as lots of cousins and my family.”

Jennifer was immaculately turned out as she went up to receive her award and Richard concluded: “Ah yes, well she was told she would be interviewed by Brian Gleeson for television so she was dressed accordingly instead of her usual waterproofs picking jockeys up off the turf!”