THE 13th Connolly’s Red Mills/The Irish Field Breeder of the Year dinner took place on Monday night. As ever, it was a night of celebration, with 12 monthly winners being presented with their salvers, and the announcement of the National Hunt and flat breeders of the year. It was a night when everyone was a winner.

Since the inception of the awards in May 2005, there have been 156 monthly winners, and it is testament to the esteem in which the awards are held that only two monthly winners in that time have been a no-show for the annual dinner. I am delighted to say that we had a full house this year again.