Stud and Stable Staff Awards more relevant than ever in 2021.

In any racing season, the survival and success of the thoroughbred racing and
breeding industry are primarily due to the dedication of those who work
anonymously behind the scenes.

But during a year in which Australia and the world were affected so disastrously
by the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry owed more to its backstage crew than
ever.

If not for the diligence and care of all industry participants, Australian racing
would have been forced to close down, as it did in many other countries.
It is, therefore, more relevant than ever that Australia’s Stud and Stable Staff
Awards (SSSA) will again honour and reward the strappers, stablehands,
trackwork riders, breakers, grooms, stud hands, float drivers, office
administrative staff, re-homers, and more.

As a tribute to them all, the Stud and Stable Staff Awards offer recognition and
more than $100,000 in prizemoney.

Nominations for the seventh edition of the Awards staged by Thoroughbred
Breeders Australia and Racing Australia and supported by Godolphin are now
open.

Offering prizes in seven categories, plus an overall Excellence Award, the SSSA
endeavour to add balance to the way the industry rewards those who keep it
going.

TBA Chief Executive, Tom Reilly, said the Awards represented the gratitude the
racing and breeding industry owed to its workers.
“Great trust was placed in the industry to take responsibility for its own
existence during all the lockdowns and restrictions imposed on the wider
community,” Reilly said.

“Much of that trust was borne by those who work in racing stables, on farms and
in other areas behind the scenes. Thanks to their conscientious approach to the
restrictions and precautions, many livelihoods were preserved.”

The significance of the SSSA is also reflected in the words of the 2019 Excellence
Award winner Joe Agresta, a renowned exercise rider who played a vital role in
several of trainer Bart Cummings’ Melbourne Cup wins.

“None of us do it for money because there isn’t any. We do it because we love
horses, love being with them, love looking after them,” Agresta says.
“These Awards mean so much to everyone who is nominated, not just the
winners.
“These are the people who are rarely seen or heard, but they are as important as
anyone in the business.”

Nominations for the Awards are open to all workers in all categories and anyone
can nominate anyone.

The SSSA categories for 2021 are Leadership, Horsemanship, Dedication to
Breeding, Dedication to Racing, Administrative and Ancillary Services and
Thoroughbred Care and Welfare, all of which offer a trophy and $10,000 to the
winner, $3000 to the runner-up and $1000 to share among their workplace
colleagues.

In addition, the Newcomer Award carries a $5000 prize plus an educational
experience with Godolphin in Dubai in 2022, with the winner of the Excellence
Award receiving $5000 in addition to the category Award, with a further $1000
to be shared among colleagues.

Nominations for the 2021 SSSA open on 8 January, they will close on 9 March,
and nomination forms are available online via the Stud and Stable Staff Awards
website http://www.studandstablestaffawards.com.au

The Awards will be presented at the Gold Coast on the 26 May.