Costello Receives ﾓWild Geeseﾔ Award

By Catlyn Spivey 
While Lexington, Kentucky was suffering through the frigid temps of the polar vortex, Pat Costello of Paramount Sales was in Killenard, Ireland at the Heritage Golf and Spa Resort accepting the “Wild Geese” award from the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association. The ceremony, held Jan. 25, handed out several breeding awards and even inducted champion trainer Jim Bolger into the ITBA Hall of Fame. 
The “Wild Geese” award annually honors an Irish person who has made a splash internationally, while keeping strong Irish roots. This year’s award focused primarily on Costello’s achievements in the States as an Irish native. 
Costello arrived in Kentucky in 1984 after his childhood on the family farm left him with a love and passion for horses. He eventually wound up at Crescent Hill Farm before combining forces with his wife Lynne to form Drumkenny Farm. The addition of partner Gabriel “Spider” Duignan gave life to a successful pinhooking venture dubbed “The Lads,” which eventually evolved into Paramount Sales in 2001. Since that time, Paramount has become a leading consignor at major sales across the country. The company was represented last year by graduates No Nay Never (Scat Daddy), who won the G1 Prix Morny, and graded stakes winner Bashart (War Front). 
On the night of the awards ceremony, Costello was dressed to the nines, joined by his wife Lynne and 11 other family members. He was called to the stage after a video presentation sang his praises. He posed for pictures with his trophy and modestly accepted his award. 
In the end, Costello gave most of the credit to those who work alongside him. 
“My partner [Gabriel Duignan] and myself have a great working relationship and we have a common goal to do our best to sell these horses,” said Costello. “We have great staff and excellent clients. The combination of it all is the key to the success.” 
In Costello’s eyes Lexington is home to many talented Irishmen, many of whom he enjoys a pint with at Lexington’s Irish hot-spot McCarthy’s Bar. Costello was elated by the honor, but quick to point out other worthy potential recipients. ITBA chairman, Joe Osborne, however, shed light on why Costello was the perfect choice in his opening remarks at the ceremony. 
“Pat is not the first Irishman to immigrate to America with little more than a dream.” Osborne said. “He is not the first to succeed in the land of opportunity or to do so while keeping a strong link to his Irish roots. What sets him apart is that he has managed to combine popularity, professionalism, and success in equal measure.” 
Costello returned to Lexington Monday after the ceremony and reflected on the event. 
“It was very humbling,” he said. “It was a fantastic night and a lot of people said some really nice things about me.”