Politics

Yep that was the on course  tip bet on biff 

Eva Maria Bucher Haefner inducted into the ITBA's Hall Of Fame at a memorable awards ceremony on Saturday evening Edmond Mahony, Joe Osborne and Eva Maria Bucher Haefner were the big winners at this year's Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association Awards ceremony that took place at The Heritage Hotel in County Laois on Saturday.  The awards kicked off with a passionate speech from ITBA chairman and Irish National stud boss Cathal Beale where he warned the room that, “we can be certain that there is great uncertainty” with a view towards world economics. He also highlighted the importance of successful indigenous industries like horse racing to Ireland given it provides the government with a significant return on investment.  Martin Heydon, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, joked that he had a pretty daunting task in following Beale's speech but reiterated that racing's voice is being heard at Government level. He also shared that he had been racing on various occasions throughout the past 12 months and was said to be impressed by the facilities on offer at different tracks. Heydon backed up points made by Beale in that racing cannot afford to rest on its laurels.  He said, “It's really important for people within the industry to be aware that there are different voices. We can't be complacent and Cathal's call to continue to do more and to continue to tell that story, I completely agree with.” Heydon added, “Whenever I go away on trips, be that promoting our beef, Irish whiskey and beyond, I always try to incorporate the Irish thoroughbred industry. When I was in Japan and Kentucky, I was able to call on my connection to racing. I am not sure where I am being sent for St Patrick's Day – I will find out on Tuesday – but I hope there will be a connection to a horse wherever I am being sent!” Mahony was presented with the Wild Geese Award in absentia as he was unable to attend the ceremony. Former Tattersalls director Martin Mitchell, Goffs chief Henry Beeby and BBA Ireland's Patrick Cooper spoke affectionately about the Tattersalls chairman while Mitchell recounted how he knew from the very beginning that Mahony was a little bit different. He said, “One of my first memories of Edmond was when he was in his early twenties. Captain Ken Watt was the Tattersalls chairman at the time and told me we had this young guy coming from Ireland. We sat down in the seats together and watched the sale progress a little when he arrived. It got near lunchtime and I thought, a 20-year-old would want a beer or two and maybe a bit of lunch. When I suggested that, he just looked at me with disbelief and said, 'I just want to watch the sale'. I went off and had my couple of beers and some food. Meanwhile, Edmond was still there watching the sale. I can remember thinking it was quite unusual for someone of that age to be like that. But as I got to know Edmond, I got to see the dedication that he had for the industry and it was clear that he wanted to learn as much as he could in that first experience of Tattersalls.” That was in 1981. Mahony became chairman of the Tattersalls just 12 years later and the company has flourished under his guidance.  In terms of his auctioneering style, Beeby and Cooper pointed to Mahony's ability to command the room. Meanwhile, in the pre-recorded award presentation that was filmed after Mahony's final sale as an auctioneer at Tattersalls Ireland in December, MC Leo Powell asked if there were any lingering doubts about hanging up the gavel.  “I always had it in my mind to stand down after my 65th birthday,” Mahony told Powell. “I saw a lot of my predecessors hang on a bit too long. There have been some wonderful auctioneers during my time on the rostrum. I always think of Philip Myerscough, David Nagle and I always enjoyed selling with John O'Kelly. He had great energy and enthusiasm and I always felt that, when we were selling together, we were like two fast bowlers going at it. So I enjoyed that.” He added, “It's very nice to be honoured like this and I really appreciate the ITBA for thinking of me. I never think of it as an award for me, because Tattersalls is a team effort, and I have been very lucky to have been surrounded by some amazing people so this award is as much for them as it is for me.” Osborne, the former Godolphin Ireland managing director who spent 32 years working for the company, was similarly self-effacing when accepting his Contribution To The Industry award. Osborne said, “When I was saying my goodbyes at Dalham Hall Stud, I made the point of saying not to underestimate the sacrifices that our family members make for us to have careers in this industry. In my busiest year, I was out of the country 120 nights. You're getting into tax exile status when you are away that much!” Meanwhile, there was a standing ovation for Moyglare Stud's Eva Maria Bucher Haefner after she was inducted into ITBA's Hall Of Fame. Not only has the leading owner-breeder invested heavily in her own horses, but the Moyglare Stud owner has made a number of massive contributions to Irish racing behind the scenes, which was acknowledged by Horse Racing Ireland chief executive Suzanne Eade. When emulating her late father Walter Haefner, Eva Maria spoke of how Moyglare Stud evokes happy childhood memories. “I would like to thank ITBA for the award as it means a lot to me,” she said. “It fills me with pride and gratitude and I think my father would be very proud. He was the one who gave Moyglare over to me and believed in me. He thought that I could carry it on and I am pretty sure now that the three gentlemen – my father, Stan Cosgrove and Pat Smullen – will be raising a glass up above. So cheers to the gentlemen.” And the winners were… Globetrotting star Calandagan was crowned older horse of the year, with Princess Zahra Aga Khan in attendance to receive the award. Other notable attendees were Nina Carberry MEP, Michael Murphy TD and Natasha Newsome Drennan TD. Sandra Russell was the deserving recipient of the Small Breeder Award following the exploits of Grade I winner Excellent Truth while the Next Generation Award was presented to Joann Lyons of Summerhill Stables, who bred Group 2 winner Lifeplan. Special Awards were presented to close neighbours William Kennedy and James Hanly with respect to their outstanding performers Ethical Diamond and Ombudsman. Among the National Hunt honours, Ken Parkhill, breeder of Grade 1 winner Final Demand, accepted the Hurdler of the Year Award. Lecky Watson was crowned Novice Chaser of the Year, with the award accepted by Linda O'Neill on behalf of her late husband Ronnie O'Neill, a highly respected breeder and stallion master. Bambino Fever earned National Hunt Racemare of the Year, the third Willie Mullins-trained winner of the night, while Gavin Cromwell's Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin was crowned Chaser Of The Year. Aidan O'Brien's Precise and True Love couldn't be separated in the two-year-old filly category while fellow Ballydoyle-trained Puerto Rico was the leading juvenile colt. The 3YO Filly of the Year Award went to Minnie Hauk while there was another tie in the 3YO Colt of the Year category, with Field Of Gold (Roundhill Stud) and Delacroix (Tepin Syndicate) sharing the honour. The post “I Am Pretty Sure That They Will Be Raising A Glass Up Above” appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Simply Minds was named the Norwegian Horse of the Year title during Norway's annual Oscargalla awards. The son of Belardo was also awarded the Norwegian Champion Miler title. Trained by Hanne Rådstoga, who was awarded the Champion Amateur Trainer title, the seven-year-old won the G3 Marit Sveaas Minnelop in August. Champion Trainer Niels Petersen was represented by the globetrotting Queen Azteca (Sharp Azteca), successful in the G3 UAE Oaks at Meydan. She was later sold to Team Valor International and transferred to the barn of Rodolphe Brisset. The filly earned the Tattersalls Achievement of the Year Award on Saturday night. Also given the Three-Year-Old of the Year award, she shared the latter with War Socks (Kameko), who competed at Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood. The full list of Oscargalla winners is as follows: Horse of the Year/Miler of the Year: Simply Minds (by Belardo) Two-Year-Old of the Year: Our Bear (Kodi Bear) Three-Year-Old of the Year: Queen Azteca (Sharp Azteca) & War Socks (Kameko) Filly or Mare of the Year: Capitana Bling (Invincible Army) Sprinter of the Year: Aphelios (Kodiac) Stayer of the Year: Ami De Vega (Lope De Vega) Handicap Competitor of the Year: Corazon De Leon (Slade Power) Norwegian Bred of the Year: Big Chance (Sporting Chance) Norsk Forening for Fullblodsavl Sleipner Award: Corazon De Leon (Slade Power) Ovrevoll Hesteeierforening 'Tough One' of the Year Award: Stogas Athena (Deceptor) Breakthrough of the Year/NoARK's Travel Grant/Champion Amateur Jockey: Tonje Sørvang Stable Staff Worker of the Year: Sofie Endahl Tattersalls Achievement of the Year Award: Queen Azteca's UAE Oaks victory Norsk Galopp's Recognition Award: Camilla Blom, Kjetil Kjær & Anne Petterøe for pony racing recruitment Jury's Award: Knut O Arnesen, Are Hyldmo and Hallvard Soma Champion Owner: Bling Enterprise Champion Breeder: Morten Buck Champion Trainer: Niels Petersen Champion Amateur Trainer: Hanne Rådstoga Champion Jockey: Carlos Lopez Champion Apprentice: Lorenzo Putzulu. The post Simply Minds Crowned Norwegian Horse Of The Year appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

In this series, the TDN takes a look at notable successes of European-based sires in North America. This week's column is highlighted by the victory of Inbox at Santa Anita. Ectot Filly Struts Her Stuff In Arcadia Phil D'Amato saddled Inbox in her American debut, and the three-year-old daughter of Ectot rolled to a 1 1/4-length victory at second asking on Saturday evening (video). Owned by Hopeless Stables, Little Red Feather Racing, Sterling Stables and Marsha Naify, the bay filly was bred by Orbis Bloodstock. Out of Trainnah (Pivotal), the April foal did not reach her reserve either time she graced the Goffs ring, passing through for €1,000 as a February Sale short yearling, and again for €5,500 during the Autumn Yearling Sale in 2024. In her lone European appearance, she ran fourth in a seven-furlong Dundalk all-weather affair in October for former owner/trainer Cormac Farrell. Her dam has six runners and three winners from six foals, with Inbox her last offspring. Under the stakes-winning second dam is G2 Mill Reef Stakes hero, G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest second and sire James Garfield. Ectot, who stood in France, has a 100% strike rate in the U.S. with Inbox's win bringing his record to two winners from two to race. Repeat Winner Farfallow Farms' Expensive Queen returned a winner at Gulfstream on January 18 (video). The daughter of Lope De Vega is trained by Brendan Walsh. The post Making Waves: You’ve Got Mail appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Maybe in the spring. Doubt they'll go beyond a mile for now. The Doncaster makes much more sense though taking on the older horses in a handicap? $4m cf the Vinery at a questionable distance for 500k. No brainer?