A SELLOUT crowd for the annual Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association Western Region Breeding and Racing Awards saw Galway couple Annette and Pearse Mee honoured with the Contribution to the Industry Award, while Niamh Flynn Spiller was a hugely popular winner of the Personality Award.
Other awards were won by Gerard and Sephine Kerin from Co Clare, breeders of Ikerrin Road, Co Mayo’s Eileen and James Comer for Ardlethen, Co Roscommon’s Thomas Mulhern for Vinndication, and Co Mayo’s Robert Hennelly for breeding Moyhenna. James Coen from Galway won the Small Breeder Award.
The region’s chair Sean Murphy said: “Every year breeders from this region punch way above their weight, and it is a fantastic achievement that western breeders are competing at the highest level all around the globe.
“Along with the four horse awards this year, we have included a Small Breeder Award to recognise a man [James Coen] who has dedicated his life to racing mares and breeding successfully. The Personality Award is a new addition and recognises one of our very own Galway girls [Niamh Spiller], while the Contribution to the Industry Award pays homage to a Galway family [Annette and Pearse Mee] who have supported our thoroughbred industry in every facet for decades.”
The awards were sponsored by Coolmore, Godolphin Ireland, Sean Barrett Bloodstock Insurance, Tattersalls Ireland, Goffs, Weatherbys Ireland and The Irish Field.
For the second year running, the winners of the Contribution to the Industry Awards went on to land the first race on Galway Plate day, Annette Mee’s Diamond Hill winning and providing her owner with a third success at this year’s meeting.
The Irish Field editor Leo Powell presents the Contribution to the Industy Award to Annette and Pearse Mee at the ITBA Western Region Breeding and Racing Awards in Galway \ Regina Byrne
Personality Award winner Niamh Spiller was joined for the occasion by her husband, the Newmarket trainer Henry, and by her parents and close friends. ITBA headquarters was represented by Shane O’Dwyer, Regina Byrne and Isabelle Carroll.