The Heritage Gold and Spa Resort in Killenard, County Laois, was the venue for the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA) National Breeding & Racing Awards awards on Saturday night.
Attended by over 400 people, that included guest of honour Tom Hayes TD, Minister of State with the Department of Agriculture, the evening, that honours and recognises the outstanding acheivement of Irish bred horses during 2015, saw Coolmore’s prolific son of Sadler’s Wells, Galileo, inducted into the ITBA Hall of Fame and Gay O’Callaghan of Yeomanstown Stud, the home of leading stallion Dark Angel, presented with the lifetime achievement award.
Weatherbys Ireland CEO Ronan Murphy (pictured above, right) was on hand to present the leading broodmare award to Aidan and Mary Aherne for Bobbing Back, the dam of Crabbies Grand National winner Many Clouds and dual Grade 1 winner The Tullow Tank.
Commenting on the awards Derek Iceton, ITBA Chairman, said “Tonight is an opportunity to acknowledge the success and lifelong contribution breeders make to the Irish thoroughbred industry. The thoroughbred industry is a great business and one in which Ireland is a leading global player."
2015 ITBA Award Winners
Hall of Fame - Galileo
Lifetime Achievement - Gay O'Callaghan
Special Recognition - Hyland Family
Wild Geese - John Troy
Older Horse - Free Eagle (bred by Moyglare Stud)
Broodmare - Bobbing Back (Aidan Aherne)
Three-year-old colt - Order Of St George (Paget Bloodstock)
Three-year-old filly - Found (Roncon, Wynatt and Chelston)
Two-year-old colt - Shalaa (Mogeely Stud)
Two-year-old filly - Minding (Orpendale, Chelston and Wynatt)
Chaser - Road To Riches (Sunnyhill Stud)
Hurdler - Faugheen (Dr John Waldron)
Young NH horse - Moon Racer (Denis and Teresa Bergin)
NH racemare - Glens Melody (Fiona McStay)