ITBA Awards: Celebrating Ireland’s Best

KILLENARD, Ireland–The trick to living a mostly happy life is to spend as much time as possible doing what you love. Simple, right?

That's not to say that people in the bloodstock industry don't work incredibly hard. There is no real let-up in the work either, with almost wall-to-wall sales these days, foals on the way, mares to be covered, mud to be scraped off almost everything and, some mornings, ice to be broken on water troughs and buckets. 

But it's a wonderful life nonetheless, and every now and then moments can be found for for a collective letting down of hair and slapping on of glad rags to celebrate those whose contributions have been particularly noteworthy over the previous year. 

The best of these events in Europe by a country mile is the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's National Breeding and Racing Awards. For a truly immersive experience, and in an effort to make it look like I wasn't turning up merely for the Champagne and dancing, the weekend escape from Newmarket to Ireland was augmented by trips to visit two significant breeding operations in the country's heartland. One of those has already featured significantly at the ITBA Awards over many years and another will undoubtedly do so in the future, and you can read more about Tally-Ho Stud and Al Shira'aa Farms in the TDN in the coming week.

I will admit to some trepidation ahead of my visit to the O'Callaghan family at Tally-Ho. Their incredible success is matched by their collective disinclination to be interviewed, so when you turn up at someone's house at lunchtime knowing that your arrival brings about as much joy to your hosts as a trip to the dentist for root canal treatment then it is nigh on impossible not to spend most of the time apologising for your presence. As it transpired, the warm welcome from Disney the black Labrador was extended heartily by Tony, Anne, Roger and Henry. Tally-Ho's seven stallions paraded without fuss, their laidback demeanours undoubtedly contributing to the success of the offspring of those far along enough in their careers.

“Temperament is everything,” declared Tony O'Callaghan over lunch, and it is hard to disagree with a man whose farm churns out smart winners with metronomic regularity. 

This time last year, the achievements of Tony and Anne O'Callaghan were deservedly recognised by their induction into the ITBA Hall of Fame. A Tally-Ho connection continued through Saturday's awards when the hugely popular Tom Lacy was recognised as Small Breeder of the Year for Persian Force (Ire). Not only is the G2 July S. winner and dual Group 1 runner-up a son of Mehmas (Ire) but he has joined his father on the roster at the O'Callaghans' farm this year. They know him well, having pinhooked him as a foal from the Lacy family. 

Tom Lacy was presented with his award by John O'Connor of Ballylinch Stud, to whom Lacy had sold his homebred Ingabelle (GB) (Taufan), who went on to become an important foundation mare at Ballylinch. Lacy's achievements extend well beyond his success as a breeder, however. In a marvellous video compilation encapsulating the 87-year-old's career in racing we saw grainy black-and-white footage of his days in the saddle. Not many people can boats of riding against the great Arkle (Ire) and Flyingbolt (GB), not that boastfulness is a term one would use to describe the hard-working Lacy.

After his race-riding days, he went on to carve a successful career as a trainer, launching the career of no less a talent than the much-missed Pat Smullen, who rode for him in his early days, as did Lacy's sons Barry and Tony, both of whom present on Saturday to support their father. 

Tony and his wife Cathy had made the trip from Kentucky, as had the recipients of arguably the most popular award of the evening, the Wild Geese Award, which recognises the contribution of Irishmen and women in the racing and breeding industry around the world. It is safe to say that the ITBA will not run out of potential recipients, for the Irish influence runs deep, particularly in Kentucky, where David and Ann Hanley have been based since leaving Ireland. 

Like Tom Lacy, David Hanley was previously a successful trainer before his move, with the Grade I winner Golden Apples (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) among his many achievements as both trainer and breeder (with James Egan of Corduff Stud).

Now general manager of WinStar Farm, he was described in the video marking the award by Mike Ryan as, “The best judge of a horse that I have ever been around.”

Ann Hanley is as beloved as her husband and, since being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease 16 years ago, has raised more than $4 million in vital research funding for the debilitating condition as well as being a tower of support to her many friends and colleagues in the breeding industry. The Hanleys' award was jointly deserved and universally approved by those in attendance, and surely by many more tuning in via the livestream.

This year's inductee into the ITBA Hall of Fame was William Flood, master of Boardsmill Stud and a great servant to Irish National Hunt breeding.

Flood's award was warmly greeted by a standing ovation from the 300-plus guests at The Heritage hotel on a night when emotions ran high. Earlier in the proceedings, the award for the Novice Hurdler of the Year, Sir Gerhard (Ire) (Jeremy), had ben collected by Joe and Sharon Fitzpatrick. Their son Jonathan, who bred the eight-year-old at the family's Keatingstown House Stud, died in a car crash in 2017 at the age of just 23, several years before Sir Gerhard became so successful in the colours of Cheveley Park Stud. Beaten only twice in his ten races to date, the gelding is a glorious, galloping reminder of the nascent talent of the young Fitzpatrick, a graduate of the Irish National Stud course who had also worked at Coolmore and Ballylinch. 

Two important anniversaries took place in 2022. The Aga Khan Studs celebrated its centenary while the Haefner family's Moyglare Stud marked its 60th year in the breeding industry. Both these milestones went hand-in-hand with continued excellence on the track for graduates of the respective operations. 

Princess Zahra Aga Khan and her mother Princess Salima were both in attendance to collect the Two-Year-Old Filly of the Year Award for the exciting Classic prospect Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}).

“It was an amazing year, and I spent most of the year thinking about my grandfather and great grandfather,” said Princess Zahra, reflecting on the 2022 season which also saw Vadeni (Fr) (Churchill {Ire}) win the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Eclipse S. “I think it was incredible that it happened last year. We are going into year 101 with such a lovely range of hopes.”

Eva-Maria Bucher-Haefner, who took over the running of Moyglare Stud from her late father Walter, was the recipient of two awards on the evening, for the Three-Year-old Filly of the Year, the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), and the Stayer of the Year, Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), whom she races in partnership with Coolmore. It has been noted before but it bears repeating that Kyprios's celebrated dam, Polished Gem (Ire) (Danehill), bore ten foals for ten winners, eight of whom won black-type races, including the Group 1 winners Free Eagle (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), Kyprios, and his full-sister Search For A Song (Ire).

Ben Sangster was back at The Heritage to claim an award for the second year running as the breeder of Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {Ire}), who was named Three-Year-Old Colt of the Year, while Timmy Hyde of Camas Park Stud, flanked by his wife Trish and daughters Wendy and Valerie, collected the trophy for Two-Year-Old Colt of the Year, Little Big Bear (Ire) (No Nay Never). The Aidan O'Brien trainee was bred by Hyde along with his son, Tim, of Summerhill.

From budding talent to esteemed veterans of the sport, the ITBA Awards reward the passion, dedication and determination of the participants of what remains a vital industry in Ireland. The huge importance of Thoroughbred breeding to the Irish economy and the country's reputation of a global forerunner in horseracing was reflected by the fact that three Irish government ministers attended the ceremony, with Charlie McConalogue, Minster for Agriculture, on hand to present William Flood with his Hall of Fame Award alongside ITBA chair Cathy Grassick. 

That connection to the country's seat 0f power is undoubtedly one of the reasons that the Irish racing and breeding industry continues to thrive and remains a shining example to other nations attempting to emulate its success. 

 

The ITBA National Breeding and Racing Awards 2022

Next Generation Award: Micheal Conaghan

Young National Hunt Horse: Facile Vega
Bred by Hammer & Trowel Syndicate

Novice Hurdler of the Year: Sir Gerhard
Bred by Keatingstown Bloodstock

Novice Chaser of the Year: Bob Olinger
Bred by Kenneth Parkhill

Hurdler of the Year: Flooring Porter
Bred by Sean Murphy

Chaser of the Year: Shishkin
Bred by CJ & EB Barnett

Small Breeder of the Year: Tom Lacy

Two-Year-Old Filly of the Year: Tahiyra
Bred by HH The Aga Khan's Studs

Two-Year-Old Colt of the Year: Little Big Bear
Bred by Camas Park Stud & Summerhill

Three-Year-Old Filly of the Year: Homeless Songs
Bred by Moyglare Stud Farm

Three-Year-Old Colt of the Year: Luxembourg
Bred by B V Sangster

Stayer of the Year: Kyprios
Bred by Moyglare Stud Farm

Wild Geese Award: David and Ann Hanley

Hall of Fame: William Flood

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Ollie Sangster to Join Training Ranks

The name Sangster has often been seen among the ranks of owners and breeders, and from later this year it will also feature on a training licence, with Ollie Sangster set to train from his family's historic estate of Manton.

The 25-year-old of course has a background steeped in racing: his grandfather was the legendary Robert Sangster, known with his friends and associates MV O'Brien and John Magnier as 'The Brethren', while his father Ben is also a breeder of note, with Luxembourg (Ire) and Changingoftheguard (Ire) being among his notable current performers.

A former champion amateur rider on the Flat before his height made that pursuit a little tricky, Ollie Sangster's skills in the saddle have most recently been seen in public when accompanying Wesley Ward's runners to post aboard Strike The Tiger, who was tragically killed in a barn fire in March this year.

“I'd say that was probably my most formative time,” says Sangster of his two years spent working for Ward, which had followed stints with David Hayes in Australia and Charlie Hills in Lambourn, as well as a season of yearling prep. 

“I think the way the American system works, it's a bit like Australia, you are sometimes thrown in the deep end a bit and get to experience different stables in different states. So I'd say that was the best time for me and I have a great relationship with Wesley. 

“I've looked after his international runners for the last three years since then as well and I would say I learned more in my time there than I thought I could have learned in 10 years about hands-on horsemanship. Wesley is a real horseman.”

Sangster initially considered starting training in America, but visa issues prompted a rethink. He succeeded George Boughey as assistant trainer at Hugo Palmer's Newmarket stable before spending the last two years with Joseph O'Brien in Ireland. 

“I wanted to spread my wings a bit again and that was really great, actually,” he says of his time at Owning Hill. “Joseph is a good man and great guy to work with; he's a very wise head on young shoulders.”

Now Sangster is out on his own, pounding the yearling sales as he completes the BHA modules required for any aspiring trainer in Britain, with the hope of having everything up and running at Manton by the end of the year.

“I'm going to go to every sale I can and will be trying to pick up a few horses,” he says. 

At Manton, he will share the gallops with resident trainers Brian Meehan and Martyn and Freddie Meade, and he already has a good idea of he lie of the land having ridden out there for Meehan since the age of 12.

Sangster continues, “I get on well with Brian, Martyn and Freddie. I've obviously ridden out for Brian and I rode in races for him, and he's been a good family friend. Anything I want to talk about, well you can't beat someone who knows the gallops.

“Martyn has done a lot of work with the gallops. When I was first back not that long ago we'd had all this hot weather and Brian was working a load of horses up the grass, and I thought to myself, 'He's barking mad, it must be like a road'. And lo and behold, I watched them work and it really was beautiful summer ground. It's amazing how good the old turf is.”

One of the other trainers Sangster has been keeping a close eye on of late is Jane Chapple-Hyam as he is a part-owner of her stable star Saffron Beach (Ire) with his mother Lucy and James Wigan. The dual Group 1 winner had originally been bought as a foal for 55,000gns to pinhook until an injured foot meant she missed her subsequent sales engagements. 

“It's the luckiest thing ever,” he says. “That's partially what's going to give me the chance to get going here, having had that great ride with her. Obviously, Jane and her whole team have done a wonderful job. It's been an amazing journey and hopefully it's not quite over yet.”

While Chapple-Hyam's stable is rightly thriving on the back of some impressive results, Sangster has more humble ambitions for the launch of his own training career.

“I'm only going to be starting with a small number of horses and we'll just go from there,” he notes. “But it's a real privilege. I'm very lucky, obviously, to be getting a chance to get going here. It's always been a dream of mine and I will see how it goes. That's all you can do: trust in what you've learned, put a few things in place, and make a go of it.”

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Family Values Place Sangster On Cusp Of Classic Year

Ben Sangster is not one to underestimate the influence of luck in this sport. But there is a lot to be said for people making their own, and having made most of the opportunities to come his way, luck is now shining kindly on his Swettenham Stud operation.

Years of cultivating one branch of a favoured family could be on the cusp of yielding Classic rewards in the form of Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), the current ante-post Derby favourite who was bred by Sangster out of Attire (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). An understanding of the mare and her family allied to the horse's upbringing on some of Ireland's best land ahead of joining Aidan O'Brien has undoubtedly aided luck in the emergence of Luxembourg as one of Europe's top 2-year-olds of 2021, a standing garnered by an unbeaten campaign that culminated with a resounding victory in the G1 Vertem Futurity at Doncaster.

Luck, however, has very much played its role in Sangster retaining co-ownership of Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), the current Group 1 star of Jane Chapple-Hyam's Newmarket yard who was forced to miss her sale engagements as a young horse through injury.

Successful in last year's G1 Sun Chariot S. and G3 Atalanta S., Saffron Beach recently opened her 4-year-old campaign with a highly creditable fourth against colts in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan. It was a performance that suggested the filly had not only thrived from three to four years but also took her travelling well enough to open up the idea of further participation in other major international races down the line.

Before then, there is the prospect of Luxembourg putting his unbeaten record on the line in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, for which he is as short as 4/1 behind Native Trail (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Should he triumph, it would maintain a wonderful association between the Classic and the Sangster family that harks back to the involvement of his father Robert with the Vincent O'Brien-trained winners Lomond (Northern Dancer {Can}) and El Gran Senor (Northern Dancer). Robert Sangster also bred and owned the 1992 winner Rodrigo De Triano (El Gran Senor), who was trained at the family's Manton estate by Peter Chapple-Hyam. 

“Luxembourg is from one of those families that is deep in black type that keeps expanding,” says Sangster. “It's a great Wildenstein line with proper Group 1 black type – there is Group 1 winner after Group 1 winner on the page, champions like Arcangues and Aquarelliste. 

“It's a family that we have bought into several times over the years. There is a mare called Afrique Bleu Azur in there who I bought for my father. She was a Sagace mare and we sent her to Caerleon and out of that we bred Cape Verdi. Angara is another out of that family that we had. She was a very good mare that we raced, she won the Diana Stakes at Saratoga and the Beverly D. And then we also had her half-sister Altesse Imperiale.

“Then you come to Asnieres, a half-sister to Afrique Bleu Azur. She was another we bought out of the family and out of her we bred Forgotten Voice, a good horse. And later in life, she produced Attire, the dam of Luxembourg. So it's a family we have a lot of time for and one we've been lucky with.”

This remarkable family descends from Daniel Wildenstein's Listed Prix Omnium winner Almyre (Fr), a 1964-foaled daughter of Wild Risk (Fr) (Rialto {Fr}). Almyre left behind nine winners including Group 2 scorer Ashmore (Fr) (Luthier {Fr}) and the Group 2-placed Albertine (Fr) (Irish River {Fr}), herself the dam of Arcangues (Sagace {Fr}), who sprang an almighty 133/1 shock for Andre Fabre in the 1993 G1 Breeders' Cup Classic, and Group 3 winner Agathe (Manila), the dam of Aquarelliste (Fr) (Danehill).

Cape Verdi (Ire), foaled in 1995, was one of the first top-flight descendants of Almyre to be bred outside Wildenstein hands. Initially trained at Manton by Chapple-Hyam, she carried the Sangster colours to victory in the 1997 G2 Lowther S. before changing hands in a package to Godolphin, for whom she won the following year's 1,000 Guineas prior to a fruitless attempt against colts in the Derby. 

As for Angara (GB) (Alzao) and Altesse Imperiale (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), they were out of Albertine's daughter Ange Bleu (Fr) (Alleged). Altesse Imperiale has left her own mark on the stud book as dam of the Group 1-placed Altruistic (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for Swettenham Stud and Scout Stable LLC.

Minor winner Asnieres, born in 1992, was the sixth foal out of Albertine and a daughter of the 1985 Kentucky Derby winner Spend A Buck, a horse rarely seen in northern hemisphere pedigrees nowadays (for all he was a successful sire in Brazil). She foaled nine winners, of which Forgotten Voice (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), winner of the G3 Glorious S., and Listed scorer Australie (Ire) (Sadler's Wells) were the most accomplished.

Attire was not one of the winning nine, being placed three times in eight starts for David Wachman. However, she has swiftly made amends at stud. 

Her second foal, Leo De Fury (Ire) (Australia {Ire}), won the 2020 G2 Mooresbridge S. for Jessica Harrington and remains in training while her third, Sense Of Style (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), came within a head of winning the Listed Staffordstown Stud S. as a 2-year-old and was Group 3-placed for Sangster and Joseph O'Brien last season. Luxembourg is her fifth foal and followed by a full-brother who sold for €1.2 million to MV Magnier at last year's Goffs Orby Sale. He is also in training with Aidan O'Brien. 

“Attire, a sister to Forgotten Voice, was one of the last foals out of Asnieres and a beautiful yearling,” says Sangster. “We put her into training but she didn't quite live up to expectations.

“But three of her foals are now black type. Leo De Fury is a beautiful horse and he's still running. I had Sense Of Style with Joseph, she was a good filly who was placed in a few stakes races. She was covered recently by Camelot. 

“Luxembourg was sold during the Covid yearling sales. He was a beautiful yearling – he was Lot 40 in Book 1 and MV Magnier bought him on behalf of a partnership [for 150,000gns]. I was pleased with that because it meant he was going to a very good hotel. 

“Her yearling last year was another beautiful horse. He was maybe a bit stronger than Luxembourg and a great mover with great quality and a good colour.”

Attire also has a yearling sister to Luxembourg and is due to foal to Camelot later this spring.

He adds: “We have some mares at home but Attire resides at Coolmore. Land is such an important part of the jigsaw and Luxembourg came off one of Coolmore's satellite farms called Kilsheelan. Where these animals are reared is so important and the list of horses to have come off that farm is remarkable, it goes to show what great land – the Golden Vale – it sits on. And it's run by a wonderful, dedicated team of staff. I am indebted to the Magnier family for letting me board horses on such a wonderful farm.”

If the rearing of Luxembourg was a straightforward process, then the same can't be said for Saffron Beach. Bred by the China Horse Club out of Falling Petals (Ire) (Raven's Pass), the filly was purchased as a foal for 55,000gns through Liam Norris of Norris/Huntingdon. As a first-crop daughter of a Prix du Jockey Club winner in New Bay – who has subsequently emerged as a young sire of real note – from the immediate family of Cotai Glory (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}), Saffron Beach was undoubtedly an appealing commercial proposition. But then fate intervened.

“Liam Norris, who I regard as a great judge – he bought [Oaks winner] Dancing Rain as a yearling from me – bought Saffron Beach for me as a foal,” says Sangster. “But as a young horse, she had an injury in the paddock that meant we couldn't sell her at the yearling sales. We couldn't even take her to a 2-year-old sale. We ended up breaking her in very late, around April of her 2-year-old year.” 

Saffron Beach missed not one but three sale engagements over the span of ten months, including in the Tattersalls July Sale as an unnamed 2-year-old.

“I had her here at home,” says Sangster. “It was during the Covid lockdown and my daughter was here as well. We have a couple of hunters here and the wife of my stud manager, who is an excellent horsewoman, would ride her out every day. They would go out with my daughter on a hunter, single file up the gallops, and that happened every day for about three months.

“It got to around June time and we thought it was then time for her to move on, and that was when she went to Jane's. It just goes to show you need luck in this game, and we got lucky as she should have gone to a sale where we would have most likely sold her.”

Carrying the colours of Sangster, son Ollie and James Wigan, Saffron Beach made a sparkling winning debut on Newmarket's Rowley Mile in late September 2020 before following up at the same course in the G2 Rockfel S. two weeks later. After running second on her 3-year-old return in the G3 Nell Gwyn S., she wasn't beaten far into second by Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in the 1000 Guineas and although subsequently disappointing in the Oaks and G1 Falmouth S., bounced back to win the G3 Atalanta S. and G1 Sun Chariot S. in a testament to the skills of her trainer.

“She's a competitive filly who hates being headed,” says Sangster. “Mentally, she's very tough. She ran a formidable race at Meydan up against those colts. Hollie [Doyle] had her in a very good position and she ran a great race. She's come out really well from that. There is a nice programme for those middle-distance fillies and mares and she should be competitive.”

He adds: “Jane is a really super trainer. She leaves no stone unturned, she's a great communicator and she makes it fun. But most of all, she's an extremely capable trainer.”

Sangster deflects the credit for two such high-flying Group 1 performers to the skill of the people around them. But having been immersed in the sport since childhood, an innate instinct to do what's right for the animal is also surely at play. 

His achievements as a breeder also includes the 2011 Classic winners Dancing Rain (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) and Roderic O'Connor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). There is also a potential dark horse for 2022 to look out for in Changingoftheguard (Ire), a Galileo colt out of Group 2 winner Lady Lara (Ire) (Excellent Art {GB}) who broke his maiden by six lengths for Aidan O'Brien at Dundalk on Friday.

Sangster also pinhooked the 1992 Derby winner Dr Devious (Ire) (Ahonoora {GB}) as a foal alongside Paul Shanahan, while more recently he served a six-year stint as chairman of The National Stud in Newmarket. All the while, the historic Manton Estate near Marlborough, Wiltshire, which was purchased by Robert Sangster in 1984, remains at the heart of the family's involvement, notably as the current base for trainers Brian Meehan and Martyn Meade.

Indeed, the legacy of Robert Sangster, a pioneer of the sport who was so instrumental in the rise of Coolmore as an international force, continues to stretch across the globe. 

Ben's brother Adam Sangster is at the helm of Swettenham Stud in Victoria, Australia, which stands six stallions including the wildly popular Toronado (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}) and Group 1 globe-trotter Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). 

Younger brother Sam, meanwhile, is a successful syndicator and agent who hit a high point last autumn when his Hannibal Barba (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}), a 55,000gns yearling purchase, ran fourth in the G1 Vertem Futurity. That colt was sold not long after for 500,000gns.

Nor is it likely to be long until we see the name of Ben's son Ollie as a trainer in his own right.

“Ollie is working with Joseph O'Brien at the moment and will embark on a training career sooner rather than later,” says Sangster. “He's worked with some excellent people – David Hayes in Australia, Charlie Hills over here and Wesley Ward – so he's had an excellent grounding. He's enjoying it and not afraid of hard work.”

That recipe of enjoyment and hard work has been a theme of the Sangsters' success over the years, and with Luxembourg and Saffron Beach primed to take high order again this season, such an approach looks poised to reap yet further rewards.

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Tony and Anne O’Callaghan Inducted To ITBA Hall Of Fame

The cream of Irish Thoroughbred breeding was recognised on Sunday night, with the headline act being Tally-Ho Stud's Tony and Anne O'Callaghan, who were inducted into the ITBA Hall of Fame.

Last year's ITBA National Breeding & Racing Awards provided one of the bloodstock social media events of lockdown, but after two years of virtual presentations, the prestigious awards ceremony returned to its rightful home of The Heritage hotel in Co Laois.

The O'Callaghans also took home one of the main Flat awards when being named the joint-winners of 2-year-old colt category with Ben Sangster. This was in recognition for breeding Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}), winner of the 2021 G1 Middle Park S. and G1 Prix Morny and the co-top-rated Irish-bred juvenile colt along with the unbeaten Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who landed the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy after winning the G2 Beresford S.

Tally-Ho Stud, based in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, is currently home to seven stallions, among them the much respected Kodiac (GB), as well as Mehmas (Ire) and Cotai Glory (GB), who have been the leading first-season stallions of the last two years. A video produced by the ITBA to commemorate the induction included tributes from the O'Callaghans' two sons, Roger and Henry.

“They've worked hard to get here and everything they've got they've earned,” said Roger. “Mum did the night-watching for 25 years. She did all the foaling–mum did the nights and dad did the days.”

Henry also acknowledged his mother's role is the successful business. He said, “When it's a small operation everyone does everything. My mum was up during the night and when my dad got up she would give him a hand with the feeding. Even now, when we are watching the mares, she has an innate ability to predict when they are going to foal.”

In addition to Perfect Power, who was recognised with an award on the night and is himself by Ardad, a stallion bred by the O'Callaghans, the Tally-Ho team was also responsible last year for breeding the Group 1 winner Ebro River (Ire) by another of their stallions, Galileo Gold (GB). Further success came through the G2 Gimcrack S. and G2 July S. winner Lusail (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), as well as Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who won the G1 Commonwealth Cup in addition to her 2020 victories in the G1 Prix Morny and G2 Queen Mary S.

Patrick Burns of Newlands House Stud was recognised with the ITBA Small Breeder Award, with his crowning glory of 2021 being the G1 Nuntorpe S. victory of Winter Power (Ire), a daughter of Bungle Inthejungle (Ire) who stands at Rathasker Stud, owned by Burns's brother Maurice.

“Patrick is the epitome of a successful high-class small breeder,” said ITBA chairman Joe Foley. “From the small number of yearlings that he produces every year he seems to produce a really good horse from every crop. That success rate is really remarkable.”

Burns has never had more than six mares on his farm in Kildare, and recent graduates have included the G2 Lowther S. victrix Living In The Past (Ire), who is also a daughter of Bungle Inthejungle, as well as G2 Lanwades Stud S. winner Devonshire (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}) and Listed winner Hurryupharriet (Ire) (Camacho {GB}).

Another hugely popular category is the Wild Geese Award, which honours Irishmen and women who have carved out successful careers in the bloodstock industry worldwide. Added to an impressive roll of honour this year are the names of Gabriel and Aisling Duignan. Based in Kentucky for more than 30 years, Gabriel 'Spider' Duignan is a founding partner of Paramount Sales, along with his fellow Irishman Pat Costello. Aisling Duignan, née Cross, is Coolmore's director of bloodstock at Ashford Stud.

Addressing the couple via the ITBA's video tribute, John Magnier said, “Spider, I knew you were clever from the time you were working and did so well for Tony Ryan, but when you got married to Aisling that confirmed how clever you were.”

He continued, “I remember Aisling from the time she was a kid really, leading out the mares in all kinds of weather and dressed up in this rain gear so you could hardly find her, but she always stood out and it's not a surprise to me that she has reached the heights that she has.

“She has been the utmost help to all of us. She keeps everybody on the straight and narrow and keeps everybody's morale up.”

The Special Recognition Award was presented to Julian Lloyd, a former trainer with rock star Eric Clapton among his owners, bloodstock agent, and, until his retirement last year, the manager of Kirsten Rausing's Staffordstown stud in Ireland. 

“I think he is defined by his enthusiasm for all matters racing and breeding, and also his professionalism, attention to detail, and great horsemanship in general,” said Rausing, who met Lloyd when they both worked for Captain Tim Rogers at Airlie Stud. 

“Julian, Paddy Moloney and I were the three that started up Staffordstown in early 1991, so Julian and I have been working and establishing Staffordstown with Paddy for exactly 30 years.”

The Grassick family's Newtown Stud and Tim Pabst received the award for breeding the top-rated Irish 2-year-old filly of 2021 in Flotus (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), who is now owed by Katsumi Yoshida after selling for a million gns at the Tattersalls December Mares' Sale. 

In the 3-year-old filly division, the award was also shared, this time between the Gaffney family's Churchtown Horse Stud, breeders of Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never), and Tom Cooke's Thomastown Farm, which bred French-trained sprinter Suesa (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). Godolphin received the 3-year-old colt award for their Derby and King George winner Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

Brothers Michael and Laurence Gleeson, young pinhookers based at Aughamore Stud in Co Westmeath, were recognised with the Next Generation Award. Among their early successes has been Champers Elysees (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}), who was bought by the brothers as a foal for €12,500 and sold on for €28,000 to Johnny Murtagh, who trained her to win the G1 Matron S. 

ITBA Award winners for 2021

Small Breeder
Patrick Burns, Newlands House Stud

Special Recognition
Julian Lloyd

Next Generation
Michael and Laurence Gleeson

Novice Hurdler
Appreciate It
Breeder: Barmakin Ltd & South Lodge Stud

Novice Chaser
Shishkin
Breeder: C J & E B Bennett

Leading National Hunt Mare:
Colreevy
Breeder:  Niall Flynn

Hurdler
Flooring Porter
Breeder: Sean Murphy

Chaser
Minella Indo
Breeder: Mrs R H Lalor

2-Year-Old Filly
Flotus
Breeder Newtown Stud & T J Pabst

2 -Year-Old ColtJoint award
Luxembourg
Breeder: B V Sangster

Perfect Power
Breeder: Tally Ho Stud

3-Year-Old FillyJoint award
Alcohol Free
Breeder: Churchtown House Stud

Suesa
Breeder: Thomastown Farm Ltd

3-Year-Old Colt
Adayar
Breeder: Godolphin

Wild Geese
Gabriel and Aisling Duignan

Contribution to the industry
David Minton

Hall of Fame
Tony and Anne O'Callaghan

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