Individuals can be nominated for an Award in any of the seven categories: Leadership, Horsemanship, Dedication to Breeding, Dedication to Racing, Administration and Ancillary, Thoroughbred Care and Welfare, and the Newcomer category.

In addition, the overall Thoroughbred Excellence Award will be selected from one of the five categories, excluding Thoroughbred Care and Welfare and the Newcomer Awards. This person must have made a significant, extraordinary contribution to the industry, as demonstrated by past winners as Mark Newnham (2015), Jenny Watson (2016), Jeremy Rogers (2017), Joe Agresta (2018), David Merrick (2019), Wendy Smith (2020) and Gary Fennessy (2021).

In the last six years, 1,026 people have been nominated for contributions to an industry that now employs an estimated 230,000 people.

Magic Millions Managing Director, Barry Bowditch, said the Awards reflect the gratitude the

racing and breeding industry have for its workforce and are vital in highlighting the importance of those who are the backbone of the Thoroughbred industry.

“We work in such a great industry and it’s the people that make this industry so extraordinary. It’s Awards like this that give our staff a chance to shine, be special and be appreciated.”

This is particularly so during a period where our industry has been able to function, and indeed thrive, during a distinctively challenging period.

Nominations are now open and will be accepted until Tuesday, 15 March.

The five nominees shortlisted in each category will be named in late March. The 11 judges, who represent all parts of the racing industry, will then convene to choose two finalists in each of the seven categories. The finalists will be announced on 14 April. The category winners will then be announced at the SSSA Awards ceremony to be held at the Gold Coast Turf Club on the evening of Wednesday, 25 May.

To nominate or for more information, visit https://www.studandstablestaffawards.com.au/ or contact Fran Khan at sssa@studandstablestaffawards.com.au.