“Not very many people understand what it takes for a racing stable to operate. The time and effort everyone puts in.”

“I can’t describe how grateful I am to Godolphin for their generosity in sponsoring the Awards. In my years with Chris we’ve had a lot of success, but there are a lot more people in this business who work just as hard as us but don’t have the results. These Awards recognise all of them as well.”

Godolphin sponsors the Awards internationally and stages them in Australia in conjunction with Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Racing Australia.

Ian Brady isn’t the type of person who looks for accolades.

The work he does as stud manager at Wattle Brae Stud in Queensland is reward enough for a horseman who has occupied his current position for 19 years and built a life around it.

“I’m like most people who have been in the racing and breeding industry, we do it because we love it,” Brady says.

As a finalist in the Leadership section of the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, Brady is grateful, not only for himself, but for the entire concept of recognising those who aren’t front-line players in the industry.

“For most people who look at racing the horse, the trainer and the jockey are the face of success in racing,” he says.

“But there are so many others – the vets, the farm workers, the farriers and so many others – who are such a big part of it.”

“The awards are such a great idea, a great acknowledgment of the people who aren’t often seen”

Brady’s nominator names ‘consistent and tireless leadership, loyalty and dedication’ among a long list of qualifications for the Award.

As well as the stud work he has performed every day for almost 20 years, Brady has also had an integral role in training other employees and overseas students who have come to Wattle Brae to learn about thoroughbred breeding from the ground up.

“Ian has taken it all in his stride,” says Wattle Brae principal Gary Turkington.

For Brady, the thoroughbred industry has already rewarded him with a job he loves, but he sees the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards as vital in encouraging younger people to enter the business and to stay in it.

“My association with racing began when I was 10-years-old and I’m now 44,” he says. “Over the years I’ve been involved, the industry has introduced me to so many really good people. It’s been fantastic.”

“But to have or a global enterprise like Godolphin to sponsor awards like these adds great incentive, it’s amazing. I can’t tell you how honoured and thrilled I am just to be nominated.”