Nine 2006 Cheltenham Festival Irish Winners

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern paid tribute to Ireland's National Hunt Racing stars including the Nine 2006 Cheltenham Festival Irish Winners and the Aintree Grand National Winner Numbersixvalverde at a reception in Farmleigh in Dublin's Phoenix Park on Monday.

The event was hosted by the Minister for Arts Sport and Tourism Mr. John O'Donoghue T.D. was to mark yet another great year for Ireland's National Hunt stars.

Looking back on the season John O'Donoghue said: 'Last year we gathered to celebrate a record-breaking nine wins at Cheltenham in addition to the King George at Kempton and the Aintree Grand National.

'We all felt at the time that this record could never again be matched but this season we actually exceeded it with a remarkable ten winners at Cheltenham and once again took all five major British National Hunt Races - the King George, Gold Cup, Champion Chase, Champion Hurdle and the Aintree Grand National.

An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said: 'Thanks to the structures and funding created by the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act we now have a secure base for the industry, which gives scope for the natural talents of our great horsemen and women to develop.

'We no longer export our best horses or people - they now stay at home, providing employment and thrilling the Irish public with their sporting exploits at home and abroad.

Horse Racing Ireland Chairman Denis Brosnan said: 'The Government's commitment to the development of Irish racing has created, through the establishment of Horse Racing Ireland, a sport and an industry that is the envy of the world.

'The achievements of the racing people we have come to honour in Farmleigh demonstrate the great reservoir of talent that we have in this sport.

Presentations were made by An Taoiseach to the owners, trainers, jockeys and grooms of:Brave Inca (winner of the Smurfit Kappa Champion Hurdle Cheltenham) Newmill (winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase Cheltenham), War of Attrition (winner of the Totesport Gold Cup Cheltenham),Numbersixvalverde (winner of the John Smiths Aintree Grand National in April).

Other Cheltenham Festival News

11 Jun 2006	Ladbrokes Cheltenham Festival Betting Bonanza
27 Apr 2006	War of Attrition Wins Punchestown Festival Feature
16 Mar 2006	Moscow Flyer passes Baton to Newmill
14 Mar 2006	Brave Inca Very Brave
14 Mar 2006	Hardy Eustace Treble Bid
13 Mar 2006	Cheltenham Festival Live TV over the Internet
13 Mar 2006	Mullins Bumper Jockey Plans
13 Mar 2006	Hardy Eustace in first time visor
13 Mar 2006	VCbet 60 Years £60 Free Bet Offer
12 Mar 2006	17 Line up for Champion Hurdle