David and Diane Nagle inducted into hall of fame at ITBA awards

An outstanding record of breeding top-class horses over four decades was recognised at the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's national breeding and racing awards on Saturday as David and Diane Nagle were inducted into the hall of fame.

From their prestigious Barronstown Stud in County Wicklow the Nagles bred both Kew Gardens and Flag Of Honour, who won the St Leger and its Irish equivalent on the same weekend last September.

That brought the breeders' record of success up to 28 individual winners of 43 Classic or Group 1 races. They are also responsible for turf greats Generous, Oratorio and Yeats, as well as the likes of Even Song, Fine Motion, Hootenanny, Horatio Nelson, Imagine, Matiya, Septimus, Shahtoush, Simple Verse, The Last Lion, Torcedor and Wind In Her Hair.

Among the other recipients of major awards at the ceremony held at The Heritage Hotel in Killenard, County Laois, were brothers Brian, Garrett and Liam O'Rourke, who were honoured with the Wild Geese trophy for Irish horsepeople who have represented their home country on the world stage with distinction.

Brian, who won admiration in his former role as managing director of the National Stud in Newmarket, now runs Copgrove Hall Stud in North Yorkshire; Garrett is general manager of Juddmonte Farms in Kentucky, home of dual world champion racehorse Arrogate; and Liam serves as director of studs, stallions and breeding for Sheikh Mohammed's Darley breeding empire.

Veteran trainer Kevin Prendergast was given the special recognition award for an illustrious training career which stretches back to when he first took out a licence in 1963.

Over the following six decades he saddled numerous Classic winners, including Arctique Royale, Awtaad, Conor Pass, Nebbiolo, Northern Treasure, Oscar Schindler and Pidget. He could be back in the big time this year, with three-year-old colt Madhmoon having won both his starts at two including the Champions Juvenile Stakes in the manner of an afternoon stroll.

Among the Flat horses and their breeders honoured on the night were leading two-year-old filly Signora Cabello (Damian Burns), two-year-old colt Quorto (Godolphin), three-year-old filly Alpha Centauri (the Niarchos family) and three-year-old colt Masar (Godolphin again).

Monica Aherne, who gave us Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Romanised, was awarded small breeder of the year, while the broodmare of the year accolade went the way of Gillian and Vimal Khosla's wonderful producer Green Room, the dam of Group 1 winners Forever Together, Together Forever and Lord Shanakill.

Gerry O'Brien was given the gong for National Hunt achievement, having bred the popular Grand National victor Tiger Roll, while other jumps awards were given to leading novice hurdler Samcro (bred by Douglas Taylor), novice chaser Monalee (Aidan Aherne), chaser Altior (Paddy Behan) and staying chaser Native River (Fred Mackey).

ITBA chairman Christy Grassick addressed the audience, which included Minister Charlie Flanagan, Senator Ian Marshall and Princess Zahra Aga Khan, to advise that the association will be holding its 2019 national seminar on February 11 at Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny.

The convention, he said, would discuss challenges facing the Irish bloodstock industry, notably Brexit concerns.

ITBA Awards 2018 – the roll of honour

Novice hurdler, sponsored by Declan Landy
Winner Samcro
Breeder Douglas Taylor

Novice chaser, sponsored by Weatherbys
Monalee
Aidan Aherne

Chaser, sponsored by Sean Barrett Bloodstock Insurance
Altior
Paddy Behan

Staying chaser, sponsored by Tattersalls Ireland
Native River
Fred Mackey

National Hunt achievement, sponsored by Horse Racing Ireland
Tiger Roll
Gerry O'Brien

Small breeder of the year, sponsored by Irish National Stud
Monica Aherne

Two-year-old filly, sponsored by Arqana
Signora Cabello
Damian Burns

Two-year-old colt, sponsored by Rathbarry and Glenview Studs
Quorto
Godolphin

Three-year-old filly, sponsored by Coolmore Stud
Alpha Centauri
Niarchos family

Three-year-old colt, sponsored by Aga Khan Studs
Masar
Godolphin

Broodmare of the year, sponsored by Goffs
Green Room
Gillian and Vimal Khosla

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Wild Geese award, sponsored by Darley
Brian, Garrett and Liam O'Rourke

Special recognition, sponsored by Derrinstown Stud
Kevin Prendergast

Hall of Fame, sponsored by the ITBA
David and Diane Nagle

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