DAVID Minton is celebrating his 50th year in bloodstock this year and his unstinting support for Irish horses during that time was marked with a Contribution to the Industry Award last Sunday night.

Best known for his role as a buyer for Highflyer Bloodstock, David has purchased an endless string of top-class racehorses in Ireland. Nicky Henderson has trained the majority of them and the late Trevor Hemmings was another very successful client of his.

Grand National winners Hedgehunter, Ballabriggs and Many Clouds were all sourced by David at Irish sales for Trevor Hemmings.

Altior is frequently mentioned as David’s star Irish purchase for the Henderson yard but don’t forget Remittance Man, Travado, Bobs Worth, Shishkin and My Tent Or Yours.

Prior to joining Highflyer, David worked alongside his great friend Johnny Harrington in the Curragh Bloodstock Agency for 15 years, so his Irish ‘roots’ are stong.

Tributes to him were paid on video by Simon Kerins of Tattersalls Ireland, Henry Beeby of Goffs, Highflyer’s Anthony Bromley, plus sales ring colleagues Mags O’Toole, Eddie O’Leary and Peter Molony.

Now based in Mill House Stud in Shropshire – where he and wife Juliet produce top class store horses themselves – David rarely misses an Irish National Hunt sale. Simon Kerins said: “If he’s not here for a sale it is quickly brought to your attention, so you do all in your power to get him here.”

Henry Beeby described him as “the ultimate generator of business”, adding “when he is here he makes things happen. He doesn’t go to a a sale for any other reason than to do business.”

Anthony Bromley spoke of David’s “passion, optimism and enthusiasm” for the business. “He always thinks they’re going to win, and that’s a great asset.”

Given a standing ovation as he went on stage to accept his award, David recalled some of the highlights of his career to-date as he spoke to MC Leo Powell. He recalled the “wild times” he had with Johnny Harrington, who introduced him to the evils of gin and tonic.

Despite all the great chasers to have passed through his hands, David cited Triumph Hurdle winner Mysilv as the one who gave him the greatest satisfaction.

Bought off the flat for 27,000gns she won six hurdle races as a juvenile in 1993-’94 for the Million In Mind Partnership before being sold for £155,000, all within a six-month period.

Almost 30 years later he is still as enthusiastic as ever and passed on a tip for Hillcrest, the €190,000 store who has won four novice hurdles this season for trainer Henry Daly and may well run in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.

David has no intention of missing the Festival, even though his doctor has warned him to “behave yourself” following a health scare just last week.