Coolmore launched a massive operation to rescue the families of Ukrainian employees working for the blood giant and their racing arm at Ballydoyle.
Championship coach Aidan O’Brien said Coolmore boss John Magnier and his wife Susan supported the families of 20 employees in their safe move to Ireland, while providing accommodation for them. About 13,500 refugees have arrived in Ireland since Russia invaded Ukraine last month.
O’Brien said: “Mr and Mrs. Magnier brought all their families and raised them. That’s for anyone working between Ballydoyle and Coolmore who wanted to bring their family here. So much so. people and it’s hard to get them out.”
There have been heartbreaking scenes across Ukraine with families separated by the requirement that men aged 18-60 must remain in the country to do military service.
O’Brien added: “It’s shocking what’s going on, isn’t it? The men stayed. The kids, the wives, the grandmas and everyone came in. They all lived around the place, the B&B and All sorts of places are being made up for them.”
Racing has been rallying behind the Ukrainian people with a series of initiatives across the UK and Ireland, with some racetracks donating receipts at the gate to fundraisers. Former coach Charlie Mann will lead a convoy transporting aid to Ukrainian refugees in Poland on April 10 alongside other racing figures, including flat bike champion Oisin Murphy .
