The Kildare Derby Festival honored Sean Coughlan and his wife Anne by inducting them into the Hall of Fame at the Courthouse in Kildare Town, recognizing Sean’s significant contributions as a breeder and owner in horse racing. Sean bred High Chaparral, winner of the 2002 Epsom and Irish Derbies and two-time U.S. Champion Male Turf Horse, as well as Ridgewood Pearl, a filly who won four Group One races across four countries in 1995 and earned European Horse of the Year honors.

To celebrate Sean’s lasting impact, a commemorative plaque was unveiled, and the Hall of Fame exhibition was made open to the public from June 23rd to 27th. The induction coincides with the Kildare Derby Festival’s 160th anniversary, running from June 22nd to 29th, featuring horse racing, live music, family activities, and local food, marking a major milestone in the festival’s history.