Owen Smyth, head stallion man at Kildangan Stud, on Tuesday evening received the Irish Racing Excellence Award, the top honour at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, at a ceremony at the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny. Smyth, who also received the Leads by Example Award, was selected for the top award among seven category winners.
Originally from Dublin, Smyth is a graduate of RACE and has worked in the racing and breeding industry since 1983. He has been with Kildangan since 1988, and previously worked for Dermot Weld and also spent a season in Kentucky.
Ten awards worth a total of €80,000 were presented. The other category winners were Catherine McAvinnery, practice manager at Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital (Administration Award); Sarah McCrory, head girl for Ted Walsh (Newcomer Award); Elaine O'Donovan, head girl for Eoin Griffin (Horse Care Award); Adrian Taylor, assistant trainer to Jim Bolger (In The Saddle Award); Patrick O'Brien, traveling head man for Dermot Weld (Traveling Head Person Award); Tommy Woods, traveling head lad to Paul Nolan (Dedication to Racing and Breeding Award); and James Flanagan, farrier for Jim Dreaper (Racing and Breeding Support Services Award). Punchestown Racecourse won the Racecourse Award.
The awards were presented by Kilkenny Senior Hurling Manager Brian Cody, and among those in attendance were British Olympic Association Chairman Sir Hugh Roberston, Joe Osborne, Brian Kavanagh, jockeys Katie Walsh, Kevin Manning, Roger Loughran and Jamie Codd and trainers Jim Bolger, Michael Halford, Jim Dreaper, Tracey Collins, Eoin Griffin and Sandra Hughes.
Bernard Caldwell, Chairman of the Irish Stablestaff Association, said, “Congratulations to all of this year's award winners and finalists. Stud and stable staff play a vital role in Irish racing and breeding so it's great to see their skills and dedication rewarded. I would like to thank Godolphin for their extremely generous sponsorship, our media partners The Racing Post and Horse Racing Ireland who organised the entire event.”
Joe Osborne, Managing Director of Godolphin in Ireland, said, “Tonight's awards again showcased the dedication and talent which make this a great industry. We know that the horse business is a people business and Godolphin is honoured to sponsor an event which gives great people deserved recognition.”
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