IT may have been a struggle for some to fit into their tuxedos or walk in high heels after two years with nowhere to go, but all that was forgotten at last Sunday’s ITBA National Breeding and Racing Awards.

Facemasks were out. Kisses, hugs and handshakes were in. Glasses were raised, stories told, and – even though it was a Sunday - there was dancing until 5am. It was amazing to see how quickly the old traditions returned.

The standard of food and service in The Heritage was better than ever, quite an achievement in these times when catering staff are scarce. The production quality for the awards ceremony was also up to scratch – the ITBA Awards are without question the Oscars of the industry.

Following a video montage of racing highlights, set to a ‘Brighter Days’ soundtrack, MC Leo Powell kicked off the formalities.

The Small Breeder Award went to Patrick Burns of Newlands House Stud in Naas. Brother to Seamus and Maurice, Patrick is primarily a sheep farmer but has the Midas touch with thoroughbreds too, having produced Group 2 winner Living In The Past and Group 1 winner Winter Power in recent years, all from no more than six mares.

Popular winner

Julian Lloyd was a most popular winner of the Special Recognition Award. He recently retired as manager of Staffordstown Stud after 50 years in the business, 30 of them running the yearling operation at Kirsten Rausing’s Dunboyne farm.

In that time, the winners of 1,800 races have passed through his hands, including 155 blacktype horses. Alborada and Alpinista were two of the best, though their trainer Sir Mark Prescott seemed just as impressed that Julian was able to call on Eric Clapton to personally bring the two of them to one of Clapton’s gigs!

Michael and Laurence Gleeson of Aughamore Stud in Co Westmeath collected the Next Generation Award. The pinhooking pair first hit the headlines with the Group 1 winner Champers Elysees, which they bought as a foal and sold as a yearling in 2018.

Since then, the brothers have enjoyed spectacular success in the sales ring, so much so that they admit to having completed their five-year plan in three years!

Cheltenham hopes

Retired BBA boss Frank McNulty was joined by Vanessa Teehan and Matt Maher to collect the Novice Hurdler Award for Appreciate It. The first day of the Cheltenham Festival will be ringed in their diaries, as it is for connections of the next award winner.

Shishkin was bred by Clive Bennett and his late wife Eileen. They keep their mares at Rathbarry & Glenview Studs – where Shishkin’s sire Sholokhov stands – so it was a lovely touch that Rachel Robinson of Glenview was there to accept the Novice Chaser Award.

Colreevy was another outstanding novice chaser last season and deservedly won the National Hunt Mare of the Year Award for her breeder Niall Flynn from Dungarvan, Co Waterford. The Flynns had two tables at the awards night and they certainly made themselves heard.

Niall didn’t let the moment go to waste and his energy and sheer delight really raised the tempo for the evening.

Not to be outdone, Galway breeder Sean Murphy had plenty of support as he took to the stage to receive the Hurdler of the Year Award for Flooring Porter. As an ITBA committee member, Sean has presented his fair share of awards at the Galway Races and it was wonderful to see him collect a big one himself.

Flooring Porter goes back to Cheltenham in search of more glory soon, as does Minella Indo, named Chaser of the Year by the ITBA. His breeders Anne and Dick Lalor of Rathkenty Stud in Clonmel are well-known for their ‘Carrigeen’ stock and it was their Clonmel neighbour John Nallen who bought the future Gold Cup winner as a foal and gave him the ‘Minella’ moniker.

Flat awards

Moving on to the flat, sisters Cathy and Sally Ann Grassick were called to the stage, along with Tim Pabst, as joint-breeders of Two-Year-Old Filly Award winner Flotus. The Grassicks bred and sold the dam of Flotus for 130,000gns before buying her back for just €15,000 a year later. She comes from a line started at Newtown Stud in Naas by the late Brian Grassick over 20 years ago.

The Two-Year-Old Colt Award was shared between Ben Sangster, breeder of Luxembourg, and Perfect Power’s breeders, Tally-Ho Stud. Richard Fahey, trainer of Perfect Power, was a welcome guest on the night.

There was another dead-heat for the Three-Year-Old Filly Award. Three-time Group 1 winner Alcohol Free was bred by Tom Gaffney of Churchtown House Stud in Mallow, and her rating was matched by crack sprinter Suesa, bred by Tom Cooke of Thomastown Farm Ltd in Co Meath.

Godolphin got on the scoresheet by taking the Three-Year-Old Colt Award for Adayar. It was appropriate that the Darley team nominated Ray Hyland to collect the trophy as Ray manages Blackhall Stud in Clane, where Adayar was reared.