The awards recognise the hard work and dedication of stud and stable staff in Australia, recognising the huge contribution they make to the Australian racing industry
Crown Lodge, Australia, 1st September, 2015: Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Racing Australia today launched the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards which will acknowledge and reward the hard work and dedication of stud and stable staff, recognising the huge contribution they make to the Australian racing industry.
There are six categories, which carry total prize-pool of $100,000 along with specially commissioned trophies for the winners. Nominations for the awards will open on Tuesday 1st September and close on Monday 28th September 2015.
The national awards will showcase the outstanding talent and dedication of those individuals who form the backbone of the racing industry in Australia.
The winner of each of the six main categories will receive a cash prize of $10,000 each and a trophy. The two runners-up in each of these categories will receive $500 each. An additional $2,000 will also be awarded to the winner’s yard or stud.
Each of the stud and stable winners will be automatically nominated for the Thoroughbred Excellence Award with the winner receiving an additional $5,000 personally, with another $4,000 awarded to their yard or stud.
The winners will be announced at the inaugural Australian Awards ceremony which will be held at the The Stables, Royal Randwick on Tuesday, 24th November, 2015.
Champion Trainer and Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards Ambassador Gai Waterhouse, speaking in support of the awards, said: “I think it’s very important that the people who put the show on the road and service the industry are recognised for all their hard work.
“I have been honoured to work with many men and women work tirelessly and with real dedication and passion for what they do and the horses in their care.
“These awards are a great initiative for the industry and I’m sure they will be well supported.”
The Australian Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards follows the success of the British and Irish Stud and Stable Staff Awards which have both been a great success for over a decade. The 2015 Irish Stud and Stable Staff Awards, sponsored by Godolphin, were presented by 19-time UK Champion National Hunt Jockey, AP McCoy, whilst the British Stud and Stable Staff Awards were attended by 2014 Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup winning jockey Ryan Moore.
Commenting on the significance of the awards, Peter McGauran, Chief Executive Officer, Racing Australia, said: “These awards present an opportunity to recognise the Australian stud and stable staff who form the backbone of the racing industry. It is great to see their dedication and passion for horses being recognised by these awards and we thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin for the continued support of the Australian racing industry.”
Tom Reilly, Chief Executive of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, said: “Anybody who is involved or breeding or racing knows that great staff, with real dedication and love of horses, are at the heart of every business.
“Those workers don’t always get the opportunity to be centre stage, but these awards really celebrate their commitment and passion and rightfully acknowledges those people without whom the breeding and racing industries wouldn’t exist.
“This is a great initiative by Godolphin which I’m sure will generate huge interest.”
Henry Plumptre, Managing Director of Godolphin in Australia, said: “Godolphin is very proud to be sponsoring the inaugural Australian Stud and Stable Staff Awards. The aim of these Awards is to reach out to the whole industry and the wider public to bring deserved recognition and reward to people who make an extraordinary commitment to their horses and our sport. We encourage trainers, stud managers, owners and stable staff from all across Australia to nominate people whom they feel deserve an award for their hard work and dedication.”
The 2015 Award winners will be chosen by a selection panel chaired by Chairman of Stewards, South Australia, Johan Petzer and comprised of individuals representing TBA, TRSA, Racing Victoria, Sky Racing Channel in addition to leading trainers Ron Quinton and Troy Corstens.
Nominations are open until 5pm AEST Monday September 28th and can be made by anyone within the industry. Trainers, owners, managers and colleagues are encouraged to nominate their employees. Forms will be distributed directly by TBA and Racing Australia and available to download athttp://racingaustralia.horse/GodolphinForm/godolphin.aspx.
All nominations must include a rationale for why the nominated individual should be selected along with a minimum of two referees who can be contacted directly by the panel.