Plenty of informative trials for Classics are taking place in Britain in the next few days, but the week started with arguably the most important awards ceremony in Irish racing, the Irish Stud and Stable Staff Awards, sponsored for the first time by Godolphin.
Plenty of informative trials for Classics are taking place in Britain in the next few days, but the week started with arguably the most important awards ceremony in Irish racing, the Irish Stud and Stable Staff Awards, sponsored for the first time by Godolphin.
No praise is high enough for the skill and dedication shown by those working at racing's 'coal face' day-in, day-out, in all weathers, often under extreme conditions. Without that hard graft, many triumphs on raceday would never have been achieved.
One of the most respected and dedicated in the business, Pat O'Donovan, who is assistant trainer to Jim Bolger, was honoured with the most coveted prize on the glittering night at the Keadeen Hotel, the Irish Racing Excellence Award.
Pat received 5,000 Euros for winning the excellence award, a further 5,000 Euros for winning his category (Rider/Groom Award), plus 9,000 Euros for his colleagues at Bolger's famous Coolcullen stables in Co Carlow. If that was not enough, the presentation of his award was made by A P McCoy, himself a graduate of the Bolger academy.
O'Donovan set a very high standard against many worthy contenders. Bernard Caldwell, of the Irish Stable Staff Association, congratulated the award winners. "I wish to acknowledge the extremely high standard of nominations we have received in the first year of Godolphin's generous sponsorship," he said.
Other award winners were: Martin Horan, head lad for Ger Lyons, who won the Leadership prize; Tom Gallagher, head man at Dermot Weld's Rosewell House Stables, who took the Head Lad/Girl or Travelling Head Lad/Girl Award.
From the bloodstock industry, encompassing those working on studs, there were two excellence awards: Carmel Bowden, of Jockey Hall Stud, winner of the Stud Employee Award; and Wendy Normile, client relations manager at Coolmore Stud, who took the Administration Award.
Other winners were: Michael O'Rahilly of Coolmore Stud, the Lifelong Learning Award; Seamus Cregan of Islanmore Stud, Dedication to Racing; Jim Reilly, the Dublin-based farrier, Ancillary Services.
In the eyes of many working on raceday, a major award was always going to be the best Racecourse Grooms Canteen, which, not surprisingly, was scooped up by Leopardstown.
Godolphin salute all the award winners, and all those who dedicate their careers to caring for the racehorse.
I will assess the Classic 'trials' at the weekend when those running at Newbury can be assessed against the Newmarket aspirants.
