Pictured at the Irish Equine Centre's 25th Anniversary celebration lunch were: 1. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed al Maktoum receiving a lifetime achievement award on behalf of his family from President Mary McAleese; 2. Gillian & Niall Quinn; 3. Naomi Buchanan, Jennifer O'Connell and Joanne Blennerhassett; 4. Helen Barry and Ann Hensey.
The Irish Equine Centre celebrated 25 years of serving Ireland’s equine industry at a champagne reception at their facility in Johnstown, Co Kildare. Guest of Honour, President of Ireland Mary McAleese presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to seven leading men and women from the industry including Sean Collins MRCVS & Hanne Collins; Dr & Mrs Vincent O’Brien; His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed al Maktoum, Dr Walter Haefner and Lady Isolin Clague.
Jane Myerscough accepted the awards on behalf of Dr & Mrs O’Brien who are currently travelling in Australia. Jane was delighted to be there to celebrate all the work her parents had put into the centre. Similarly, Sean & Hanne Collins, who were the driving force of the centre for many of its 25 year history, were honoured to accept the award bestowed on them. Sean was the founder of the centre in 1983 and remains actively involved today as President of the Board.
H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed al Maktoum, son of Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum of Dubai accepted the award on behalf of the world famous horse breeding Maktoum family.
President McAleese congratulated those being honoured for their outstanding achievements and the Irish Equine Centre for their dedicated service to the bloodstock industry.
Guests at the exclusive event included footballing legend and local Kildare boy Niall Quinn and his glamorous wife Gillian who both have a keen interest in horse racing and breeding. Gillian is a noted horsewoman having won numerous awards as a dressage rider. Also in attendance were Sir Anthony & Lady O’Reilly and former Minister for Finance and EU Commissioner Dr. Ray MacSharry.
Former Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food John Malone has been recently appointed as the new Chairman of the Irish Equine Centre Board of Governors. Commenting on the day John said: “Today’s event has been a major milestone for the Irish Equine Centre. We are delighted to be able to honour the extraordinary people that have played a central role in the Irish equine industry and to celebrate the past 25 years of the Irish Equine Centre, as without them, this vision would never have become a reality.”
A number of key sponsors are working alongside the centre throughout their 25th Anniversary. These include Horse Racing Ireland, the body set up to develop and promote Ireland as a world centre of excellence for horse racing and breeding; Randox Laboratories Ltd, one of the world’s fastest growing diagnostics companies; Celtic Diagnostics, a leading company for animal testing and diagnostics; and Betfair, the world’s leading betting exchange.
A number of events have been planned for the coming year to mark the 25th anniversary of the Irish Equine Centre. The centre is an independent equine laboratory that exists to protect the wellbeing of Ireland’s horse population and serve the interests of the industry.
