'This is very much the highlight of my life' - Anthony Oppenheimer's award pride

An emotional Anthony Oppenheimer has been announced as the winner of the Andrew Devonshire Bronze, the annual award by the Thoroughbred Breeders Association that recognises outstanding achievement and contribution to the British breeding industry.

The Dominion bronze was awarded to Ruth Quinn, the BHA’s director of international racing and racing development, for her long-term efforts and commitment to the improvement of the thoroughbred through race programming.

The prizes could not be given out at the annual TBA Flat Awards evening this time around, but it was of no less pleasure for Oppenheimer.

A former TBA chairman, his Hascombe and Valiant Stud has produced glittering names like Golden Horn and Cracksman, and has had notable recent success with fillies, such as Star Catcher, Frankly Darling and Dame Malliot.

Oppenheimer joins an illustrious roll of honour which includes Her Majesty The Queen, Juddmonte Farms, Jim Joel, Paul Mellon, Lord Howard de Walden and the Maktoum family. It was most recently won by David Brown of Furnace Mill Stud.

He said: "It was not something that ever entered my mind that I could possibly win. I was chairman of the TBA for four years, and even then it never entered my mind that when awarding it to all of these famous people, that I would actually get this honour. It is tremendously exciting.

"I never had the ambition of winning this award but now I have won it, it is just fantastic and I am really honoured by it. My father would be absolutely thrilled if he could look down; this is very much the highlight of my life."

Quinn has been deeply involved in the recent work to revitalise the staying programme, the improvement of race opportunities for Flat fillies and mares, and the creation of a comprehensive jump mares’ programme.

The BHA director, who was following on from veterinarian Nick Wingfield Digby in winning the award, was also being recognised for her work within the British and European Pattern Committees.

Ruth Quinn was awarded for her hard work at the British Horseracing AuthorityCredit: Tba

"It’s an honour to receive the Dominion Award," she said. "Horseracing is, and has been, my life and the driving, ever present reason for that is the thoroughbred.

"Anybody who knows me well would recognise just how strongly and passionately I feel about our collective responsibilities towards the long-term health of the thoroughbred breed.”

TBA chairman Julian Richmond-Watson said: "This year’s recipients are two very worthy winners of the awards.

"The board of trustees agreed that their long-standing contribution and commitment to the improvement of the breed should be justly rewarded and recognised.

"The TBA is committed to the long-term future of the industry and pays tribute to Anthony and Ruth, who have dedicated considerable time and effort to the British thoroughbred."

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