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Twenty-four finalists, short-listed for eight of the 10 award categories in the 2018 Irish Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, were announced today. The finalists were shortlisted from almost 350 nominations received, the highest number of nominations received since Godolphin’s sponsorship of the awards began in 2015. The winner in each of these categories will receive a specially-commissioned trophy and €5,000 in prizemoney, with the exception of the Newcomer Award, who will receive a trip to Dubai, plus €2,500. The winner’s yard, stud or company in each category will also receive a cash prize to be divided amongst employees. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Monday, May 21st in the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim, County Meath. The Racecourse Award will be chosen by the Irish Stablestaff Association based on a quality programme survey with the purpose of setting quality standards for stable staff at all racecourses in Ireland. The racecourse with the highest score will win the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Racecourse Award. The flagship award – The Irish Racing Excellence Award will be presented to one of the winners of the Administration, Horse Care, In the Saddle, Travelling Head Person, Leads by Example and Dedication to Racing and Breeding Awards. This person, who is, in the opinion of the judging panel, the most deserving of recognition for their commitment, hard work, and ongoing contribution to the high standards and reputation of the Irish thoroughbred industry. The winner of this award will receive an additional trophy and €5,000, plus €5,000 for their yard, stud or employer. The 10 award categories carry total prize-money of €84,000, an increase of €4,500 from 2017. Diana Cooper, Strategic Advisor, Charities, for Godolphin, said: “The contribution from stud and stable staff to the success of the thoroughbred industry in Ireland plays a vital role in confirming Ireland’s global reputation. All 24 finalists are fitting examples of Irish racing excellence and Godolphinis delighted to sponsor these awards and recognise and reward their inspirational work ethic and dedication.” Bernard Caldwell, Irish Stablestaff Association, commented: “Thank you to all those who nominated their friends and colleagues. We were overwhelmed with the volume and quality of the nominations. It’s a testament to Godolphin’s very generous sponsorship that these awards go from strength to strength every year. Thanks also to Horse Racing Ireland who project manage the event. We are looking forward to celebrating the hard work and achievements of all the stud and stable staff in Knightstbook Hotel on Monday, 21st of May.” Michael O’Rourke, Chairman of the judging committee said: “The level of dedication, skill and love of horses was very evident and inspiring to read in all the nominations. The judges had an unenviable task to pick 24 finalists from almost 350 nominations, so thank you to all those who nominated their colleagues and friends. Godolphin’s generous support for these awards has allowed us to give proper recognition to their achievements and to publicise the contribution of everyone in the stud, stable and racing support sectors.” The finalists in each category were chosen by the 13 judges on the Irish Stud and Stable Staff judging committee who reviewed each of the nomination forms and interviewed all the finalists. The finalists are: Racing and Breeding Support Services Martin Leahy, Master Farrier, Bruff, Co Limerick Sharon O'Regan, Head of Operations, Weatherbys Ireland GSB Ltd, Co Kildare Martin 'Snowy' Pearce, Facilities Manager, Punchestown Racecourse, Co Kildare Administration Award Gillian Carey, Operations Manager, Fairyhouse Racecourse, Co Meath Denis Hickey, Racing Secretary, Ballydoyle, Co Tipperary Vicki McWey, Supervisor Registrations Department, Horse Racing Ireland, Co Kildare Newcomer Award Georgie Benson, Stable Lass, Gordon Elliott, Co Meath Joanne Eaton, Stable Lass, Willie McCreery, Co Kildare Charlie Sweeney, Pupil Assistant/Second Head Lad, Eyrefield House Stud, Co Kildare Horse Care Award Emma Connolly, Travelling Head Lass / Assistant Trainer, Noel Meade, Co Meath Mary Nugent, Travelling Assistant, Gordon Elliott, Co Meath Sinead O'Sullivan, Head Girl, John Murphy, Co Cork In The Saddle Award Audrey O'Neill, Exercise Rider & Groom, John Oxx, Co Kildare James Rath, Head Lad, Liz Doyle, Co Wexford Josep Sans Sanchez, Head Man, PJ Prendergast, Co Kildare Travelling Head Person Award Tina Evans, Travelling Head Person, Joseph O’Brien, Co Kilkenny Jason Forsyth, Travelling Head Person, John Oxx, Co Kildare Camilla Sharples, Travelling Head Girl, Gordon Elliott, Co Meath Leads by Example Award Tom Daly, Assistant Head Man, Dermot Weld, Co Kildare Valerie Keatley, Head Girl, Johnny Murtagh, Co Kildare Stephen Thorne, Assistant Trainer, Adrian McGuinness, Co Dublin Dedication to Racing and Breeding Award Pat Farrell, Broodmare Manager, Moyglare Stud, Co Kildare Eamonn Leigh, Headman, Jessica Harrington, Co Kildare Tommy Ryan, Head Lad, Edward O’Grady, Co Tipperary
Godolphin Godolphin, the global thoroughbred breeding and horseracing team founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is the principal sponsor of the Irish Stud and Stable Staff Awards in association with The Irish Stablestaff Association, The Racing Post and Horse Racing Ireland. Godolphinalso sponsors the equivalent Stud and Stable Staff Awards in Britain, France, Australia and the USA. The Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards Judging Committee is made up of representatives of the Irish Stablestaff Association, Horse Racing Ireland, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, the Irish Racehorse Trainers’ Association and the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board. Owen Smyth, winner of the Irish Racing Excellence Award at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards in 2017, also joined 2016 winner Jimmy (Slim) O’Neill and 2015 winner Pat O’Donovan. Each award winner will be presented with a specially-commissioned trophy. The trophies, by sculptor Ani Mollereau, are a contemporary design of a thoroughbred horse representing the spirit of the horse racing industry.
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