Standing ovation for Dr Adrian McGoldrick at Tipperary Crystal Curragh Racing Awards
Another entertaining evening at the annual Curragh Racing Awards on Monday last.
Kildare Village played host to the annual Curragh Racing Awards in association with Tipperary Crystal on Monday last with some of the biggest names in Irish horse racing in attendance – and competing for the top industry accolades.
Racing presenter Thom Malone welcomed the attendance and noted it had been an incredible year’s racing – with the winning performances to be screened over the evening – “in glorious sunshine, not rain for a change!”
Trainer Jessica Harrington and jockey Ronan Whelan were the big winners on the night, with Harrington’s Alpha Centauri winning the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas and I’m So Fancy claiming the three Stakes races at the Curragh. Victories on Skitter Scatter and Sea The Lion ensured Ronan Whelan of his first Curragh Racing Awards accolade, Leading Riding Performance of 2018.
The young jockey humorously acknowledged the support of his mother who attended: “I’d better not forget the Ma; if I do, I’ll get it in the ear going home!”
A standing ovation for Dr Adrian McGoldrick when Andrew Coonan, Chief Executive of the Irish Jockeys Association announced him as the recipient of this year’s Special Achievement Awards, in association with Kildare Village and the Irish Daily Mail.
Mr Coonan stated Dr McGoldrick’s contribution to racing was exceptional, that Irish jockeys under his care received the ‘gold standard’ treatment. “As Chief Medical Officer to the racing industry, he has contributed massively, from his research into athletes and dehydration, concussion, nutrition, mental health… and so much more.”
The affection for Dr McGoldrick was clear amongst the audience; not one for the limelight, he acknowledged his wife of 46 years, Anne and also described Irish jockeys as ‘elite’ sportsmen, stating “They are always the first to want to get back to work, long before they should!”
Curragh Racecourse foreman Pat Webb along with his ground staff team were acknowledged for the wonderful work carried out during the season to produce the best quality ground for racing. And let’s face it, last season was exceptional: a long wet winter, followed by snow in Spring and then, the hottest and driest summer we’ve experienced in years.
Pat praised his fellow workers and stated how proud he was, that whilst most of the land around the racecourse was brown and looked like a dessert, he was so proud of how they retained and maintained the rich green strip that was the Curragh racecourse.
Aidan O’Brien was the Leading Trainer of the Season having won 34 races and over €3.3m in total prize money, while his youngest son Donnacha was awarded Leading Jockey with a notable 19 victories. Mrs Sue Magnier was crowned leading owner for the 2018 season with a total of 35 winners.
Derek McGrath, CEO of the Curragh Racecourse also commented: “We have witnessed excellent racing and great performances throughout our 2018 season. Our races were strongly contested this season highlighted by 1614 runners who competed for over €10m in total prize money, while there were 73 overseas trained runners”.
He acknowledged the tremendous support of the racing industry over the past two years, and acknowledged “the long, dry summer created challenges and I would like to particularly commend that Curragh team for going to such great lengths to provide the best ground possible." Mr McGrath further add the re-development project was progressing very well and they hoped to have it fully completed for the 2019 racing season on April 13.
Another very enjoyable evening at Dunne & Crescenzi in Kildare Village for the Annual Curragh Racing Awards. Amongst the VIP guests were Cllr Sean Power, Mayor of Kildare; Ceann Comhairle, Deputy Sean O’Fearghail; Deputy Martin Heydon and Cllr Bernard Caldwell (Stable Staff Association), Joe Boland (KCC) along with many leading trainers, jockeys, and national racing journalists.
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Good food and wine, good company and of course, John Forde, the Piano Man providing some light musical entertainment!
Photos Kieran Hartnett