Industry stalwart Oldrey honoured for lifetime of achievement

In a choice worthy of the occasion, in its centenary year, the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA) on Friday night recognised the immense contribution to the industry of David Oldrey.

The longstanding owner and breeder has served as a racecourse steward and board member for both the British Horseracing Board and Horserace Betting Levy Board, received the Andrew Devonshire Bronze at the TBA annual awards evening in Newmarket. Oldrey, noted for his expertise in race planning and as a racing historian, was also TBA president between 2001 and 2006.

Another whose work was celebrated was Dr Richard Newton, who received the Dominion Bronze for his work at the Animal Health Trust. Its head of Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance also acts as a consultant to the TBA, BHA, HBLB and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Jo Brown’s work at Overbury Stud received a cash prize of £1,000 for the Annual Stud Staff Award. The award, sponsored by New England Stud, is designed to recognise the skill and long hours notoriously demanded in this vocation.

Across-the-board achievements by Sheikh Mohammed’s breeding operation, Darley, were measured by the Queen’s Silver Cup, as leading British-based Flat breeder; the BBA Silver Cigar Box, for their stalwart Dubawi as leading British-based Flat stallion; the Barleythorpe Cup, for Exceed And Excel as leading stallion by individual winners; and the HJ Joel Silver Salver for Eastern Joy, Flat Broodmare of the Year. Her son Thunder Snow bids to exalt her to new heights in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

There was a more poignant aptness to the timing of St Albans Bloodstock's receipt of the TBA Silver Rose Bowl as Flat Breeder of the Year - on the same day it was announced that its flag-bearer Postponed has been retired.

Anthony Oppenheimer’s Hascombe and Valiant Studs collected the TBA Silver Salver, a special merit award on the Flat, while the Langham Cup for small breeder of the year was presented to Paul Gardner of Springcombe Park Stud, following the success last year of Quiet Reflection. Frankel meanwhile claimed the Tattersalls Silver Salver for leading first-season sire.

The National Hunt awards were again dominated by Kayf Tara, who won both the Horse and Hound Cup and the Whitbread Silver Salver - for the fifth and eighth time respectively.

Bryan Mayoh accepted the Dudgeon Cup for his National Hunt Broodmare of the Year, La Perrotine, the dam of Sizing John. And David and Kathleen Homes were recognised for their contribution to the National Hunt breeding industry with the Queen Mother’s Silver Salver.

The TBA also unveiled a limited-edition book celebrating its 100-year history. Featuring rare archive material, it will be mailed to all members.