MAGS O’Toole received a standing ovation when she was announced as this year’s winner of the Wild Geese Award, an honour bestowed on an Irish person working in the bloodstock industry overseas.

The bloodstock agent is a fixture at all the major bloodstock sales and her clients include Eddie and Michael O’Leary, both of whom rely heavily on her judgement.

She is credited as having selected Tiger Roll for Gigginstown House Stud, though she admits it was more with the Fred Winter in mind than the Grand National.

Both O’Learys recorded video tributes to Mags, as did John Gosden, Alex Scrope and Norman Williamson. “She’s a very honest person who does the best she can for everyone,” said Williamson. Scrope described her as “Totally loyal, one of the best friends you could ever wish for”.

On stage, Mags said she felt “thrilled and embarrassed” by the honour, and she acknowledged the important role played by her parents Mick and Una in her life and career.

This was the eighth year the Wild Geese award was presented and Mags is the first ‘goose’ to receive it.