For the second year running the Northern Region Committee were unable to host their Awards as an in person event. However the success of Northern Breeders was celebrated by a showcase in The Irish Field this week.
As part of his address, Northern Region Chairman Dr Dean Harron commented:
This year due to the ongoing threat of Covid infection; the ITBA Northern Region in conjunction with ITBA headquarters made the difficult decision to cancel its in person Awards Ceremony. However, the success of Northern Breeders was not to go without being acknowledged and celebrated. Once again, the Northern Region punched above their weight.
Despite the challenges which Covid brought to bear on the Irish Bloodstock Industry, racing continued. In this regard, much credit is due to the ongoing efforts of IHRB’s Dr Jennifer Pugh. Being a fellow Northerner, it’s very fitting that Jennifer receives this year’s Special Recognition Award.
Congratulations to this year’s award recipients, kindly showcased by The Irish Field. Award winners were presented with a framed picture of their horse and pedigree, compliments of Weatherbys. Total winnings in the northern Region on the flat. 70 winners, winning £870k in GB, Europe, Middle-East, Far-East and USA. In the National Hunt we had 75 winners, winning £1,030,007.
The industry still has problems associated with the movement of horses following Brexit. Racecourses and attendance were moving in the right direction but with new Covid variants there is uncertainty going forward. The good news is that horse sales both NH and Flat have returned to 2020 levels and in some cases have improved. The Goff’s Yearling Sale had a clearance rate of 92% and an aggregate five times that of 2020. This was helped by the dispersal of Sheik Hamdan’s Derrinstown Stud horses and the return of Eastern European, Scandinavian, German and Italian buyers. The return of overseas buyers is due in large part to the work of ITM. Thanks, are also due to Irish Equine Centre for maintaining our ‘high horse health status’.
Finally, our thanks are due to the hard work of the ITBA HQ staff and council over the past year with the many difficulties with Brexit and Covid. The work of ITBA, IEC and ITM are funded by the Foal Levy. I must stress that Northern Breeders must continue to pay the Foal Levy so as these organisations can continue to give us support.
Going forward I wish all Northern Breeders continued success.
ITBA Northern Region Awards 2021 Winners:
Leading National Hunt Horse: Native River (Indian River ex Native Mo) Bred by Mr Fred Mackey
National Hunt Mare: Lady Breffni (Yeats ex Time to Shine) Bred by Mr T J Adams
Leading 2-Year-Old: Santosha (Coulsty ex Princess Zoffany) Bred by Mr Paddy Murray
Leading 3-Year-Old: Wichita (No Nay Never ex Lumiere Noire) Bred by Mr Max Ervine
Older Horse: Pogo (Zebedee ex Cute) Bred by Mr Thomas Foy
Overseas Winner: Illegal Smile (Camacho ex Fine If) Bred by Mr Max Ervine
Special Recognition: Dr. Jennifer Pugh