THIS year, due to the ongoing threat of Covid infection, the ITBA Northern Region – in conjunction with ITBA headquarters – made the difficult decision to cancel its in-person awards ceremony.

However, the success of northern breeders was not to go without being acknowledged and celebrated. Once again, the Northern Region punched above its weight.

Despite the challenges which Covid brought to bear on the Irish bloodstock industry, racing continued. In this regard, much credit is due to the ongoing efforts of the IHRB’s Dr Jennifer Pugh. Being a fellow Northerner, it’s very fitting that Jennifer receives this year’s Special Recognition Award.

Congratulations to this year’s award recipients, kindly showcased here by The Irish Field. Award winners were presented with a framed picture of their horse and pedigree, compliments of Weatherbys.

In the past year, horses bred in our region have won 70 races on the flat, collecting prize money of £870,000 across Europe, America, the Middle East and Far East. Over jumps we had 75 winners and earnings of just over £1 million.

The industry still has problems associated with the movement of horses post-Brexit.

Racecourse attendances are moving in the right direction but, with new Covid variants, there is uncertainty going forward. The good news is that horse sales, both NH and flat, have returned to 2020 levels and in some cases have improved.

The Goffs Orby Yearling Sale had a clearance rate of 92% and an aggregate five times that of 2020. This was helped by the dispersal of Sheikh Hamdan’s Derrinstown Stud horses and the return of Eastern European, Scandinavian, German and Italian buyers. The return of overseas buyers is due in large part to the work of ITM.

Thanks are also due to Irish Equine Centre for maintaining our ‘high horse health status’.

Finally, our thanks are due to the hard work of the ITBA office staff and council over the past year with the many difficulties presented by Brexit and Covid.

The work of the ITBA, IEC and ITM are funded by the Foal Levy. I stress that Northern breeders must continue to pay the Foal Levy so these organisations can continue to give us support.

I wish all Northern breeders continued success.