PAUL and Marie McCartan of Ballyphilip Stud in Co Limerick, and Paul Rothwell of Lacken Stud in Co Wexford were the big winners at the Connolly’s Red Mills/The Irish Field Bredeer of the Year Award in Kildare this week.
The evening celebrated the past 12 monthly winners of the popular competition, which is in its 13th year. All 12 winners were present on the evening and each of them received a silver salver to mark their achievements.
At the end of the evening, overall winners of the Breeder of the Year title, for both flat and National Hunt, were revealed. The McCartans were thrilled to win the overall flat award. They had won a monthly award for breeding Harry Angel, winner of last year’s Darley July Cup at Newmarket.
In accepting his award for CBS Bloodstock, (named after their sons Charlie, Ben and Sonny), Paul remembered his first big success as breeder of Tiggy Wiggy, when they were told “enjoy this day – it will probably never ever happen to us again.”
The Dark Angel colt is just one of several top-class sprinters and milers bred at Ballyphilip Stud in Bruree. They also bred Prix de l’Abbaye winner Battaash, the 2014 champion two-year-old filly Tiggy Wiggy and Hong Kong star miler Xtension.
Paul Rothwell was equally stunned when his name was called out as winner of the overall National Hunt prize. He not only bred Cheltenham Festival winner Summerville Boy but he also stands the sire Sandmason at Lacken Stud in Bunclody.
He also bred Aintree Grade 1 novice hurdle winner Black Ops, another by Sandmason who Paul reports had a very busy covering season. Summerville Boy was produced from a crop of only 37 mares covered in 2010.
Joe Connolly, Managing Director of Connolly’s Red Mills, spoke of the current problems facing those in the agriculture and equine industry in the recent drought, and of the company’s expanding role in adding to and developing new products for equine industry, and in identifying what may affect customers in future.
He also referred to the company’s sponsorship of the Forans Equine EBF Auction Series of races over the last few years.
Leo Powell presenting January 2018 Award to Paul Rothwell for Summerville Boy