David Minton receives Federation of Bloodstock Agents lifetime achievement award

Revered industry figure David Minton has been presented with a lifetime achievement award by the Federation of Bloodstock Agents (FBA).

A sizeable crowd of clients, colleagues past and present, and friends gathered at Tattersalls on Thursday as Minton was presented with eight Inkerman glasses individually engraved with the names of high-achieving winners with whom he has been associated, namely Comedy Of Errors, Barton Bank, Sprinter Sacre, Altior, Remittance Man, Might Bite, Hedgehunter and Many Clouds.

The Federation of Bloodstock Agents president Geoffrey Howson said: "I first met David when he joined the Curragh Bloodstock Agency in Newmarket in 1970. I have always admired his talent in establishing a wonderful client base and sourcing so many top-class winners.

"The winners' enclosures at the Cheltenham and Aintree festivals are now synonymous with David Minton and Highflyer Bloodstock.

David MintonCredit: Laura Green

"Perhaps what I admire most in David is his boundless - probably the wrong word in view of his current knee problem! - and infectious enthusiasm after 50 years in the game. David is greatly respected within the profession and amongst so many within the bloodstock and racing industry on both sides of the Irish Channel."

Minton left Shropshire in 1967 and relocated to Newmarket, where he joined the Curragh Bloodstock Agency (CBA) three years later. The first horse he purchased privately was Comedy Of Errors, who went on to win a brace of Champion Hurdles for Fred Rimell, while Minton's second private acquisition turned out to be King Pele, winner of the 1973 Gloucester Hurdle.

Minton was promoted to office manager of the CBA in 1977 and became a director in 1980. Five years later he set up David Minton Bloodstock, and was joined by Anthony Bromley in 1987. The likes of Harry Herbert, William Haggas, Lisa Hancock, Justin Wadham and Eddie O'Leary cut their teeth in the industry with stints under Minton's tutelage.

Old allies: David Minton and Nicky Henderson at the Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale in 2005Credit: Peter Mooney

After a five-year link-up with the BBA, Minton, Bromley and Bernice Emanuel set up Highflyer Bloodstock in 2001. Minton's passion has always been for National Hunt and point-to-pointing, and he has struck up a hugely fruitful partnership with champion trainer Nicky Henderson, for whom he sourced the likes of Altior, Long Run and Sprinter Sacre.

Minton - now back in Shropshire with wife Juliet, who runs Mill House Stud - has also bought four winners of the Grand National, namely Ballabriggs, Hedgehunter, Many Clouds and Party Politics.

Bromley paid tribute to his mentor, Highflyer colleague and former FBA president, saying: "I was so pleased when Geoffrey told me he was going to give Minty this award. We all love him to bits and I've worked with him all my working life. I went to the CBA as a school kid in 1984 and started full-time with him in '87. There's a long list of people Minty has seen into the game.

"We've never had a cross word in 32 years working together and I have the utmost respect for him because of his integrity, eye for a horse and boundless enthusiasm. We're a bit of a double act; I'm the pessimist and Minty is definitely the man whose glass is always half full.

"He keeps saying he's semi retired, but anyone who witnessed him at this year's Land Rover Sale - where he stood next to the auctioneer for the whole sale and bought 39 stores - will know he is not retired and far from it. We've etched the names of eight of his best horses onto these whiskey glasses - the problem was trying to get it down to eight because he's really done very well!"

More news:

Progeny of El Kabeir and Night Of Thunder popular at December Foal Sale opener

Frodon's half-brother Paolo makes striking debut over hurdles in France

Haras de Montaigu announces the death of top jumps stallion Martaline aged 20