'It was tough getting them out' - Coolmore rescue families of Ukrainian staff

Coolmore have undertaken a major operation to rescue families of Ukrainian staff working for the bloodstock giant and their racing arm at Ballydoyle.

Champion trainer Aidan O'Brien said Coolmore boss John Magnier and wife Sue have assisted the families of 20 staff members in making a safe passage to Ireland, also providing them with accommodation.

Workers at Coolmore and Ballydoyle who are originally from Ukraine were given the chance to have their loved ones rescued from the devastating conflict. Approximately 13,500 refugees have arrived in Ireland since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last month.

O'Brien said: "Mr and Mrs Magnier have brought over all their families and put them all up. It was for anyone working between Ballydoyle and Coolmore who wanted to bring their families here. It's a lot of people and it was tough getting them out."

Aidan O'Brien: 'It's a lot of people and it was tough getting them out'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

There have been heartbreaking scenes across Ukraine with families separated due to the requirement for men aged between 18 and 60 to remain in the country for military duty.

O'Brien added: "It's shocking what's going on, isn't it? The men stayed behind. The children, wives, grannies and everyone came. They're all living around the place, B&Bs and all kinds. Places are being done up for them."

Racing has been rallying behind the people of Ukraine with a host of initiatives across Britain and Ireland, including at the Cheltenham Festival, where the National Hunt Chase was renamed in support of the British Red Cross' Ukraine Appeal.

A number of racecourses have donated gate receipts from racedays to fundraisers, while Galway has been working with a large team of volunteers in sifting through donated goods bound for the Ukrainian border, offering the track's facilities as a storage base.

Former trainer Charlie Mann will lead a convoy delivering aid to Ukrainian refugees in Poland on April 10 alongside other racing figures, including sidelined champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy.

Read more on this subject:

Ukraine aid trip touches a nerve for Newmarket pre-trainer

Huge effort at Galway as 70 volunteers are on hand to help support Ukraine

Racing boosts Ukraine support as trainers speak of distraught staff

Newmarket head lad speaks of his anguish following Russian invasion of Ukraine

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