Whytemount team so proud to see Stowaway crowned NH champion

Sir, - The recently concluded National Hunt season was a very special one for me and for my family. To see our much-missed Stowaway crowned champion sire was a dream realised, and we are so proud of what he achieved.

However, we are acutely aware that he and we could not have achieved this singular honour without the wholehearted support of breeders throughout Ireland.

They believed in the horse and supported him in growing numbers as he started to enjoy early success.

He died in early February 2015 and that spring saw his last crop born, now six-year-olds.

It gives me particular pleasure to know that this crop includes Kilcruit, a Grade 1 bumper winner at Punchestown and bred by Maureen Mullins.

I have a long association with the Mullins family, going back to my amateur days riding for Paddy.

So with no four- or five-year-olds to help this season, it was extra special to see Stowaway become champion, and the Cheltenham successes of Grade 1 winners Monkfish and Put The Kettle On, as well as The Shunter and Telmesomethinggirl, were icing on the cake.

Well done to all the breeders of these and previous top-class winners. Hopefully there are more to come.

Stowaway will forever live in the memory here at Whytemount where we hope that we are home to another future champion in his successor, Valirann.

Yours etc.,

Ronnie O’Neill

Whytemount Stud,

Kells,

Co Kilkenny

Thanks to all expert speakers on the ITBA educational programme

Sir, - I write on behalf of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, and in particular the large number of breeders who virtually attended the ITBA Educational Programme 2021- Ask The Experts Series.

I would like to thank, most sincerely, all the experts who gave so generously of their time, expertise and experiences.

Our thanks go to Prof Ann Cullinan, Alan Creighton, Dr James Gibbons of the Irish Equine Centre and Pat O’Sullivan of Troytown Grey Abbey Equine Hospital.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Irish Equine Centre’s CEO Sarah McNicholas and the Veterinary Council of Ireland for working with the ITBA on this series of workshops.

As with all aspects of our ITBA Educational Programme, we are forever grateful to the many industry stakeholders who support and contribute to the programme.

The ITBA continues to encourage a culture of life-long learning amongst breeders.

If breeders feel there are topics which should be included in future ITBA educational programmes, please contact us on 045 877543 or email kryan@itba.ie as we would love to hear from you.

Yours etc.,

Kerry Ryan,

ITBA

Kill,

Co Kildare