Analysis of the economic impact of the Irish Thoroughbred ... - Itba.info

5.6 Recent Success
In 2008, Irish horses won 29 of the 44 Group 1 flat races in Ireland and the UK. At the
Cheltenham Festival, 9 of the 10 Grade 1 winners were bred in Ireland. The Epsom Derby
winner was bred in Ireland. An Irish trainer, Aidan O’Brien, became the champion trainer
in both the UK and Ireland for the second consecutive year and recorded 23 Group 1 wins
worldwide. In 7 of the 9 years up to 2008, the flat jockeys’ title in the UK has been won
by an Irish man.
This year, 2009, saw further remarkable successes for Irish bred and trained horses. They
achieved a record number of wins at the Cheltenham Festival. Irish bred and trained
horses took the first five places in the Epsom Derby. The high point of the year came
when Sea the Stars won the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in Paris, a victory that entitles this
Irish bred and trained horse to be considered as the greatest thoroughbred horse of all
time after a series of 6 spectacular victories in the world’s most famous races. This colt,
bred at the Irish National Stud and trained by John Oxx on the Curragh, is a perfect
example of the excellence and success of the Irish industry.
Ireland’s dominance in the industry is reflected in the involvement of Irish people on
breeding and racing farms and in ancillary services throughout the world. Irish racing
and breeding managers, veterinarians, farriers and other professionals are at the
forefront of the industry on every continent,, applying their skills and expertise.
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