ITBA

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association honored the human and equine stars of 2020 during a virtual ceremony for its National Breeding and Racing Awards on Saturday evening. The ITBA Hall of Fame inductee for 2020 was the Irish National Stud. Ireland's Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue accepted the honor on behalf of the Irish State, while President Michael D Higgins wrote a personal message to the Irish National Stud in recognition of its national importance. The popular Wild Geese Award, honoring an Irish national who has made an impact on...

The 2019 Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Northern Region Award winners have been announced. Overall there were 79 Flat winners (£1.72m) in 2019 and 88 National Hunt winners (£1.39m). The award winners are as follows: 3yo Winner: Thomas Foy, Pogo (Ire) (Zebedee {GB}) Older Horse: Colin Kennedy, Chatez (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) G1 Winner: John Yarr, A Wave Of The Sea (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}) Cheltenham Winner: Aaron Metcalfe, Ravenhill (Ire) (Winged Love {Ire}) G1 Winner: Aaron Metcalfe, Slate House (Ire) (Presenting {GB}) 2yo: Max Ervine, Wichita (Ire) (No Nay...

The ITBA Autumn Series of Online Workshops was revealed by the ITBA on Monday. The three workshops are free, as due to COVID-19 fees have been waved. The schedule is as follows: Workshop 1: Mental Health First Aid on Oct. 29 from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Workshop 2: Introduction to Equisoft on Nov. 5 from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Workshop 3: Introduction to ZOOM Online Meeting on Nov. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more information on the workshops and to sign up, email [email protected].

You know you've made it when you are widely known simply by your first name. Say the name 'Mags' to most people in the bloodstock industry and they will know exactly to whom you are referring. For Margaret O'Toole, to use her given name, is as widely known as she is admired within that tightknit community, commanding a respect inversely proportionate to the level of publicity she receives. The latter is deliberate. Not for O'Toole are the self-congratulatory social media accounts. If she did choose to publicise her achievements in...

The ITBA Next Generation 10-to-Follow Competition, sponsored by Racing Post Bloodstock, was announced by ITBA Next Generation on Wednesday. To enter, contestants pick their top five Flat and top five National Hunt horses to follow in 2020, with prizes on tap including 1 year free Ultimate Membership to the Racing Post (£349). The competition starts on Feb. 14, but entries cam be made after the beginning of the competition through the month of February. Only one entry is allowed per person, with free entry for ITBA Next Generation members. Results...

The 2019 ITBA National Breeding & Racing Awards were held at The Heritage Killenard in Co. Laois, Ireland on Jan. 25. Over 370 people attended the awards, which honour the achievements of Irish breeders and Irish-bred horses on the Flat and in the National Hunt sphere in 2019. Among the notable honourees, JP McManus was inducted into the ITBA Hall of Fame, while the inaugural ITBA Next Generation award was given to Joanne Lavery. The complete list of the 2019 winners is as follows: ITBA Next Generation: Joanne Lavery Young...