The best of British jumps breeding celebrated in Doncaster

Breeders Keith and Jayne Sivills, Overbury Stud and Distillery Stud collected the most silverware on a night that celebrated British-bred success at the TBA's fifth annual National Hunt Breeders' Celebration Dinner, sponsored by Goffs UK.

Host Nick Luck presided over the presentation of 14 awards at the Mount Pleasant Hotel near Doncaster, which included four usually presented at the TBA's Annual Awards that takes place in July.

Robert Robinson of Distillery Stud collected a hat-trick of prizes for the success of his mare Whisky Rose, who not only produced the winner of the Peel Bloodstock Trophy for leading National Hunt mare Misty Whisky but also One For Rosie, who landed the Shade Oak Trophy for leading novice hurdler. Her progeny's recent successes also earned her the Dudgeon Cup for National Hunt broodmare of the year.

The popular Lady Buttons secured both the Mickley Stud Trophy for leading hurdles mare and the Overbury Stud Trophy for leading chase mare. The nine-year-old daughter of Beneficial won the Grade 2 Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle in January for her owner-breeders Keith and Jayne Sivills.

Kayf Tara's dominance of the domestic stallion ranks continued with a fifth victory in the Horse and Hound Cup for leading active National Hunt British-based stallion, and an eighth consecutive win of the British EBF-sponsored Whitbread Silver Salver for leading National British-based Stallion.

The Overbury Stud resident was also responsible for Thyme Hill, the winner of the Distillery Stud Trophy for leading National Hunt Flat horse.

TBA NATIONAL HUNT AWARDS – ROLL OF HONOUR

Highflyer Bloodstock Trophy for leading chaser

Thistlecrack

Beech Tree Stud Trophy for leading novice chaser

Santini

Midnight Legend Trophy for leading hurdler

Shades Of Midnight

Shade Oak Stud Trophy for leading novice hurdler

One For Rosie

Distillery Stud Trophy for leading National Hunt Flat horse

Thyme Hill

Overbury Stud Trophy for leading chase mare

Lady Buttons

Mickley Stud Trophy for leading hurdles mare

Lady Buttons

Yorton Stud Trophy for leading novice hurdles mare

Honeysuckle

Peel Bloodstock Ltd Trophy for leading National Hunt Flat mare

Misty Whisky

Eric Gillie Ltd Special Award

Midnight Legend

British EBF-sponsored Whitbread Silver Salver for leading active British-based National Hunt stallion*

Kayf Tara

Horse and Hound Cup for leading active British-based National Hunt stallion**

Kayf Tara

Dudgeon Cup for National Hunt broodmare of the year

Whisky Rose

Queen Mother's Silver Salver - National Hunt Achievement Award

Bryan Mayoh

*based on 2018-19 progeny earnings

** based on 2018-2019 individual chase winners

The Yorton Stud Trophy for leading novice hurdles mare went to Dr Geoffrey Guy, the breeder of the unbeaten Honeysuckle, whose tally of victories this season included the Grade 1 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Hurdle Championship Final at Fairyhouse.

Rory Bannerman collected the Midnight Legend Trophy for leading hurdler on behalf of the Potassium Partnership, who bred the Grade 2 Rendlesham Hurdle winner Shades Of Midnight.

Santini won the Beech Tree Stud Trophy for leading novice chaser for owner-breeders Richard and Lizzie Kelvin-Hughes, while Thistlecrack was awarded the Highflyer Trophy as leading chaser, for breeders Robin and Scarlett Knipe.

Two special recognition awards were also presented at the event. Midnight Legend was posthumously awarded the Eric Gillie Ltd Trophy in recognition of his enduring legacy. The late sire has continued to dominate the National Hunt stallion rankings through such progeny as Sizing John, Seeyouatmidnight, Midnight Shadow and Shades Of Midnight.

The final award, the Queen Mother's Silver Salver, was presented to Bryan Mayoh in acknowledgement of his significant contribution to the British National Hunt industry. A successful National Hunt breeder and stallion owner, Mayoh has also dedicated many hours to the development of TBA initiatives and policy for the long term health and improvement of British National Hunt breeding.

TBA chief executive Claire Sheppard said: "Now in its fifth year, the National Hunt Breeders' Celebration Dinner has firmly established itself as a key event within the jump breeding community. Held on the eve of the Goffs UK Spring Store Sale, the awards present a great opportunity for breeders to gather and celebrate their successes.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the TBA's National Hunt Committee, Nick Luck, Goffs UK, Racing TV and all of our sponsors for their vital ongoing support."

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