Renowned horse trainer Aidan O'Brien is Cashel Person of the Year 2018

Renowned horse trainer Aidan O’Brien was honoured as Cashel Person of the Year 2018 in Halla na Féile on Thursday evening.

Cashel Lions Club nominated Mr O’Brien for his outstanding sporting achievement and contribution to the local community, both in Cashel and Rosegreen.

Lions Club Chairman DJ Horan and award organiser Richard O'Brien said the award was first established 31 years ago. The Lions Club has enjoyed a long relationship with Ballydoyle, going back to Vincent O'Brien, who kindly allowed them to buy the land for what is now Larkspur Park - that club is named after one of Vincent O'Brien's derby winning racehorses. “We still have our meetings up there, and that's our clubhouse,” said Richard O'Brien. “Without that support, a club like ours would really find it hard to function, and to hold our Fashion Show. It's wonderful the support we receive from Ballydoyle, and I'd like to acknowledge Aidan and his family, and all the staff of Ballydoyle and Coolmore.”

Breda Culliton, Pat Cummins and Finbar O'Neill, proposed Aidan for the nomination, and thanked him personally for his extraordinary contribution to the community.

“Aidan's outstanding achievement of training 28 group and grade one winners in 2017, was not only a new world record but was absolutely remarkable given the competition which exists in horseracing worldwide,” said Mr O'Neill. “Year after year, Aidan O'Brien has been at the top of his profession, not only here in Ireland, but worldwide. In 2017, Aidan was crowned not only Champion Flat Trainer in Ireland but also in England. Despite all his success, Aidan modestly deflects the praise on to others. He contantly speaks in glowing terms, of his staff and always includes them when being interviewed. Aidan's contribution to this community is truly immeasurable, bringing great employment, prestige and honour . Aidan and his wife Anne Marie, and their family, have been wonderful ambassadors for Cashel and Rosegreen thoughout the world, and that's why we nominated him for Cashel Person of the Year 2018.”

Full story in next week's Tipperary Star