JP McManus and Philip Myerscough among those honoured at ITBA awards

One of the racing and bloodstock industries' greatest supporters was accorded the highest honour at the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association national awards on Saturday evening as JP McManus was inducted into the hall of fame.

McManus needs little introduction as the most prolific jumps owner in the sport, with a record 59 Cheltenham Festival winners having carried his green and gold hoops including stars such as Baracouda, Binocular, Buveur D'Air, Istabraq, Jezki and Synchronised – the last named a homebred Gold Cup hero.

McManus has poured millions into racing in his pursuit of blue-chip winners while keeping horses in stables both large and small, and he is known to be hugely generous of worthy causes on a public as well as private basis.

Among the other recipients of major awards at the ceremony held at The Heritage Hotel in Killenard, County Laois, was Philip Myerscough, who collected the trophy for lifetime achievement.

Myerscough has held senior positions at Goffs and Tattersalls and stood Sadler's Wells' brother Fairy King at his Ballysheehan Stud in County Tipperary before selling the stallion to Coolmore.

Myerscough eventually also sold the stud to Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum, before moving to Baroda and then Colbinstown Studs in County Kildare.

He bred and owned the 1996 Arkle winner Ventana Canyon and his breeding acumen is being advertised at present by the dual Grade 1 scorer Champ, a close relation to the legendary Best Mate – whose dam Katday was bought by Myerscough before he hit the big time.

Myerscough has also served in various industry roles, including as chairman of the Curragh Committee and as a steward of the Turf Club.

Mags O'Toole was honoured with the Wild Geese award for Irish horsepeople who have represented their home country on the world stage with distinction.

The widely respected agent, based in Britain, has signed for innumerable top-class horses including First Lieutenant, Notebook, Tiger Roll and Weapon's Amnesty over jumps and the likes of Beckford, Gronkowski and Latrobe on the Flat.

With Irish voters heading to the polls next month for a general election, ITBA chairman Christy Grassick used his opening speech to emphasise the need to highlight to all candidates the importance of the bloodstock industry to the country's economy.

Grassick advised that the ITBA activity plan for 2020 would concentrate on supporting small to medium sized breeders through its budget submission and political engagement, while also high on the list of priorities is animal welfare and traceability.

He stressed the ITBA’s commitment to investing in and nurturing future generations and welcomed the inaugural ITBA Next Generation award, which went to Joanne Lavery, who bought and raced last season's much missed 1,000 Guineas runner-up Lady Kaya.

ITBA AWARDS ROLL OF HONOUR

Next Generation Joanne Lavery

Young National Hunt Horse Gypsy Island (bred by Rosetown Bloodstock)

Novice Hurdler City Island (Kenneth Parkhill)

Novice Chaser Lostintranslation (Andrew Kavanagh)

Hurdler Paisley Park (Michael Conaghan)

Chaser Altior (Paddy Behan)

Small Breeder Paddy Kelly

Two-year-old filly Millisle (Stonethorn Stud Farms)

Two-year-old colt Pinatubo (Godolphin)

Three-year-oldfilly Iridessa (Whisperview Trading) and Search For A Song (Moyglare Stud Farm)

Three-year-old colt Ten Sovereigns (Camas Park, Lynch Bages and Summerhill)