The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association celebrates the achievements of National Hunt breeders

Owners, trainers and breeders convened at the Mount Pleasant Hotel on the eve of the Goffs UK Spring Sale to celebrate the best of British National Hunt bloodstock. The 2017 TBA National Hunt Celebration Dinner included the presentation of ten awards recognising the achievements of the domestic NH Thoroughbred breeding industry.

Broadcaster Nick Luck presented the awards ceremony, introducing the shortlisted nominees in each category before revealing the award winner.

The prestigious Leading Chaser award - the Overbury Stud Trophy - went to breeders Bryan & Sandra Mayoh in recognition of Sizing John’s excellent season on the racecourse which included; the Irish, Punchestown and Cheltenham Gold Cups. The breeders also collected the Midnight Legend Trophy for Leading Hurdles Mare, Lifeboat Mona.

Richard and Sally Aston of Goldford Stud won the Mill House Stud Trophy for Leading Flat NH Mare Petticoat Tails, whilst Graham Wylie was awarded the Mickley Stud Trophy for Augusta Kate in the Leading Novice Hurdles Mare category. Briery Belle won the last of the mares’ awards on the evening, the Beech Tree Stud Trophy (Leading Chase Mare), for breeders Simon and Helen Plumbly.

The Leading NH Flat Horse award, the Yorton Stud Trophy, went to the breeder of Sam Brown (T.C. Frost), whilst last year’s winner, Ballyandy continued his great form over hurdles to win the Birch Farm Stud & DGS Transport Trophy (Leading Novice Hurdler) for Pleasure Palace Racing.

Yanworth earnt his breeder a third TBA NH Celebration Dinner award when winning the Highflyer Trophy for Leading Hurdler. The seven-year-old Norse Dancer gelding winning four races in the 2016-2017 season which included two Grade 1 and two Grade 2 Hurdles.

Thistlecrack graduated from the Leading Hurdler award in 2016 to winning this year’s Leading Novice Chaser – the Shade Oak Stud Trophy - for his breeders Robin and Scarlett Knipe.

The ceremony closed with the presentation of the Eric Gillie Ltd. special award to breeder David Young for Special Tiara.