Cover image courtesy of Trish Dunell
Curraghmore Principal Cunningham was named by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (ITBA) as the recipient of the Wild Geese Trophy, which recognises the overseas success of Irish men and women.
The virtual award evening host Leo Powell noted in his address that Cunningham had settled just about as far away from home as possible, but his Irish roots are evident in the name of his successful Te Awamutu-based thoroughbred operation.
“I’m incredibly humbled to have been considered, let alone recognised. I’ve been overwhelmed with the number of people sending their best wishes,” he said.
“Obviously, I keep in touch with home and usually the annual awards coincide with the yearling sales at Karaka. It’s a real honour and thoroughbred breeders’ associations in every country are a significant body.
"I know what The Aga Khan means to Irish breeding and his support in racing and breeding over the years and it’s a great honour for me to receive an award that has been sponsored by him.
"I know that there’s so many people like myself all over the world that are very, very worthy of this acknowledgement. I feel very proud and privileged to be considered worthy of it.”
Indebted to New Zealand
Cunningham stressed to TDN AusNZ that his acknowledgment from afar was as much about New Zealand as any of his achievements.
“My journey only really began when I arrived in New Zealand and I’m greatly indebted to all the people in this great industry here for all the support I’ve had over the years,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to the next Group 1 winner we produce from Curraghmore. It’s just all about producing good horses and that provides the energy to continue on the same path.”
Curraghmore Stud | Image courtesy of Curraghmore Stud
Cunningham said when he received notice of his award, it came as a pleasant and special surprise.
“I got a letter in late November from the Head Office advising me that I would be recognised and had a zoom meeting with them during Karaka. I received a bottle of champagne the other day and the trophy is on the way.
“I feel very privileged to be considered worthy of it. I'm very grateful to the ITBA and would like to congratulate all the other recipients of awards throughout the evening.
“I'm very grateful to the ITBA and would like to congratulate all the other recipients of awards throughout the evening.” – Gordon Cunningham
Another feature of the awards’ evening was the induction of the Irish National Stud into the Irish Hall of Racing Fame.
“I would also like to acknowledge my late Uncle Dick Collins and my Aunt Bernie, who took my younger brother and I under their wing when our father passed away when I was pretty young,” Cunningham said.
“They brought us up to The Curragh every summer. From my first summer at Lisieux (Stud) I knew horses were going to be my life.”
Cunningham is a grandson of legendary Irish trainer Michael Collins and cousin to current trainer Tracey Collins, who succeeded her father Con at Conyngham Lodge on The Curragh.
“We were always excited to go to The Curragh for the summer and of course Uncle Con was an icon for our family and we were inwardly very proud of just being in his presence or being able to visit Conyngham Lodge, where Mum was raised,” he said.
On finishing his education, Cunningham subsequently furthered his thoroughbred experience overseas.
“I continued working for my uncle and then attended the Irish National Stud Management course and following that I had my first trip to Western Australia and then on to Kentucky and back to Ireland,” he said.
“I first came to New Zealand for two seasons at David Benjamin’s Fieldhouse Stud, where Grosvenor was standing at the time. I was tooing and froing between the Hemispheres after that.
“I first came to New Zealand for two seasons at David Benjamin’s Fieldhouse Stud, where Grosvenor was standing at the time.” – Gordon Cunningham
“I’ve been in New Zealand since 1987 when I took up the position of Broodmare Manager at Waikato Stud and soon after became the Farm Manager.
“With it changed ownership in 1994 to the Chittick family, I established Curraghmore. There was no real plan, just one thing led to another.
“I feel so fortunate that I was able to settle here and put down roots within the New Zealand industry. I’m so proud that we established our farm here.”
Efficient (NZ)
Among Curraghmore’s most notable graduates is the G1 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), champion Australian 3-year-old Fairway (Danzero) and champion Hong Kong stayer Liberator (Encosta De Lago).
“At Curraghmore the focus has always been, and will always be, on quality. We've developed a reputation for producing sound and durable racehorses that continue to do us proud on the racetracks of Australasia and beyond,” Cunningham said.
