PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins was the guest of honour at the Irish National Stud for the unveiling of a sculpture to commemorate the founder of the stud and gardens.

The statue of Colonel William Hall Walker was crafted by sculptor Bob Quinn and depicts Hall Walker taking in the majesty of his creation at Tully. The unveiling took place on Sunday afternoon.

It is 100 years since Hall Walker gifted the stud and all his bloodstock to the state with the idea of creating a national stud. He was granted a peerage for his generosity and became Lord Wavertree. In 1943, the Irish Government acquired the property and the Irish National Stud Company Ltd was formed.

Today at the Irish National Stud a bonsai tree and stars depicts Hall Walker’s love of Japanese culture and his unique breeding theories.

Frieda O’Connell is marketing and promotions officer with the Irish National Stud and she told the Kildare Nationalist that Hall Walker’s believed that that the future success of his bloodstock was written in the stars. “He took great care in forming the horoscope of each animal before deciding whether to sell or to retain it to race. This strategy, eccentric though it was, saw Hall Walker become one of the most influential breeders at the turn of the 20th century, breeding the winners of all five classics, including the 1909 Epsom Derby winner Minoru.

“President Higgins spoke of his pride and gratitude to Hall Walker for bestowing such a treasure to the state. He was shown champion sire Invincible Spirit along with a gorgeous new born colt foal by Mastercraftsman out of a Mare Alizaya in the Foaling Unit. Among the guests, was the British Ambassador to Ireland Dominik Chilcott and also William Fergusson and Didi Clegg who are grandchildren of Hall Walker.

“Present too was Brian Eida, a great grand-son of Tassa Eida, who designed the stud’s famous Japanese Gardens. The invited guests were treated to lunch in Tully House at the stud before attending the opening race meeting of the year at the Curragh.”