Congratulations to Tony and Anne O’Callaghan on a successful night at the ITBA Awards at which they were inducted to the ITBA Hall of Fame. They also collected the award for the joint-top Irish-bred two-year-old colt, Perfect Power (pictured), the dual Group 1-winning son of Ardad. The award was shared with the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy winner Luxembourg, bred by Ben Sangster.
The O’Callaghan family’s Tally-Ho Stud has been the source of plenty of top-class winner over the years, not least Ardad himself. In 2021 alone, Tally-Ho graduates Perfect Power won the G1 Middle Park Stakes, G1 Prix Morny and G2 Norfolk Stakes; Ebro River won the G1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes; Campanelle landed the G1 Commonwealth Cup; and Lusail won the G2 July Stakes and G2 Gimcrack Stakes. That’s quite a record for one stud and, bar, Perfect Power, the winners mentioned are all by Tally-Ho stallions: Galileo Gold, Kodiac and Mehmas.
Perfect Power holds entries for the 2000 Guineas and Irish 2000 Guineas and we are all looking forward to seeing what he and other members of Ardad’s first crop can do as three-year-olds this season, as well as keeping on eye on the next batch of juveniles to hit the track.
Ardad is going to have a busy covering season this year, with up to 175 mares in his book. Our thanks to the many breeders who have supported him in his stud career to date.
