Gay O'Callaghan of Yeomanstown Stud received a standing ovation when honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's annual awards ceremony at the Heritage Golf and Spa Resort in Co. Laois Saturday. O'Callaghan, a former bank clerk, acquired Yeomanstown in 1981 and has since built it into a top-class stud farm. Yeomanstown stands Dark Angel (Ire), one of Europe's most accomplished young sires.
The special recognition award went the way of the Hyland family of Oghill Stud, which enjoyed a banner year as the breeder of Royal Ascot winner Washington DC (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in partnership with Chris McHale.
Coolmore's seven-time champion sire Galileo was inducted into the ITBA Hall of Fame. Galileo has sired over 50 Group 1 winners worldwide and 10 last year alone, including dual Classic and G1 St. James's Palace S. winner Gleneagles (Ire), who joins his sire in standing at Coolmore in Co. Tipperary this year; GI Breeders' Cup Turf-winning filly Found (Ire); champion 2-year-old filly Minding (Ire); and G1 Irish St Leger victor Order Of St George (Ire). The latter three were also honored last night as ITBA champions of their respective divisions.
ITBA Award Winners:
Hall of Fame: Galileo
Lifetime Achievement: Gay O'Callaghan
Special Recognition: Hyland Family
Wild Geese: John Troy
Older Horse: Free Eagle
Broodmare: Bobbing Back
3-year-old Colt: Order Of St George
3-year-old Filly: Found
2-year-old Colt: Shalaa
2-year-old Filly: Minding
Chaser: Road To Riches
Hurdler: Faugheen
Young NH Horse: Moon Racer
NH Racemare: Glens Melody
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