WESTERN breeders are traditionally honoured at Ballybrit on Galway Plate day and over 250 guests filled the second floor of the Killanin Stand on Wednesday for the annual lunch hosted by the Western Region of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.

Special guests included Minister for State Martin Heydon and newly-elected MEP Nina Carberry. Sadly absent on the day was ITBA Western Region chairman Sean Murphy whose father Johnny, a retired livestock auctioneer from Athenry, died peacefully last weekend.

MC Richard Pugh introduced a total of eight award winners beginning with Co Leitrim’s Donal Spring, breeder of Group 1 winning sprinter Moss Tucker. Donal was represented by his son Daniel. Moss Tucker is by Excelebration and began his racing career over 10 furlongs before finding his niche over half that distance.

Gerry Murphy from Ballymacward in east Galway collected the Chaser Award for Corbetts Cross, winner of Grade 2 National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and twice placed in Grade 1 company. The horse’s sire Gamut also stands in Co Galway.

The prolific Maxxum earner his owner-bredeer Pat Rabbitt from Athenry the NH Hurdler Award. By Westerner, Maxxum has won six races and is still only a seven-year-old.

Winged Leader won the point-to-point award for his Co Clare breeder Michael Coughlan. He bought the mare Classical Beauty for just €600 when she was carrying a foal by Winged Love who has turned out to be a winner of eight point-to-points last season, to go with his 14 previous victories between the flags and four hunter chase wins.

The prestigious Small Breeder Award went to Paul Mullins from Tuam. A little over 10 years ago Paul purchased three fillies - Is She Diesel (€1,400), Supreme Vic and Blackandamber Vic. They won 10 races between them and Paul is now enjoying racing their progeny. They include Switch From Diesel (by Yeats), winner of a Tipperary bumper, a €5,000 bonus, and placed second in Grade 2 company.

Eric and Liam Mulryan are well-known owner-breeders from nearby Oranmore and they have had great fun with their homebred Young Dev. The grey by local stallion Fracas has won seven races - often finishing from the clouds - and he placed second in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter last year.

Rossa Ryan was on duty at Goodwood this week and so couldn’t be at his local track to collect his Special Recognition Award. From Tuam, the former pony racing champion rode over 200 winners in 2023 and won the all-weather championship this spring. He was represented at Ballybrit by his sister, Holly.

Finally, Ballinrobe Racecourse manager John Flannelly was recognised for his contribution to the industry. Assisted by his wife Anne and daughter Claire, John has been at the helm at the Co Mayo track for over two decades and has been the subject of constant praise throughout the industry for the continuous improvements to the racing surface and facilities.

Award winners

Flat: Donal Spring (Moss Tucker)

NH Chaser: Gerry Murphy (Corbetts Cross)

NH Hurdler: Pat Rabbitt (Maxxum)

PTP: Michael Coughlan (Winged Leader)

Small Breeder: Paul Mullins (Switch From Diesel)

Owner-Breeder: Eric and Liam Mulryan (Young Dev)

Special Recognition: Rossa Ryan

Contribution to the Industry: John Flannelly (Ballinrobe Racecourse)