Record nominations for Australian Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards

Cheer Leader (Snitzel - Gold Chant) ridden by Damian Lane after winning the Sun Stud Valley Pearl (L) over 1200m at The Valley. Pictured with strapper Katharina Niebecker. Photo Credit: Darren Tindale - The Image is Everything © The Image is Everything - Bronwen Healy Photography

4 July, 2019

 

A record, Australia-wide nominations from all sections of the thoroughbred industry is set to make the 2019 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards (GSSSA) the most keenly contested ever.

For the first time, nominations have been received from every state and territory and from the widest-ever range of training establishments, studs and other organisations that support and maintain an industry that is one of Australia’s largest.

Employers, colleagues, friends and family have nominated 158 candidates for the GSSSA, with the winners to be chosen by a panel of industry figures.

The GSSSA offers cash and trophies in seven categories from horsemanship and equine welfare through to administration and a Newcomers’ Award that includes a trip to Dubai and a tour of stables and the Meydan racing complex.

The Awards, in their fifth year in Australia, are sponsored by Godolphin worldwide and staged in this country by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Racing Australia with further sponsorship from the MRC Foundation and Tabcorp.

As well as entries from the stables of trainers such as Chris Waller, David Hayes, Ciaron Maher, Scott Brunton, and Tony McEvoy, this year’s entry includes a nomination from the Darwin stable of leading handler Gary Clarke.

Most major studs are also represented among the nominations, including Coolmore, Widden, Newgate, Godolphin, Aquis, Vinery, Yulong and Arrowfield, along with the bloodstock auction houses Inglis and Magic Millions, transport companies and horse welfare and re-homing groups.

TBA chief-executive Tom Reilly hailed the Awards as an example of the thoroughbred industry acknowledging and respecting those who help make it a world leader.

“Australia’s thoroughbred racing and breeding industry leads the world in many areas and one of the main reasons for that is the people who work in it,” Reilly said.

“So many of them don’t get the chance to stand in the spotlight and reap the rewards. These Awards are to recognise their contribution, their talent and their dedication.

“Without them the industry couldn’t function.”

The Awards offer recognition in the categories of Administration & Ancillary Services staff, Dedication to Breeding, Dedication to Racing, Horsemanship, Leadership, Thoroughbred Care and Welfare covering occupations ranging from stable workers to exercise riders, to float drivers, secretaries, stud grooms, foaling supervisors and to the growing band of “re-homers” who provide care and a future to horses who can no longer race.

The winner in each category other than the Newcomer, receives $10,000 and a trophy with a further $3,000 to share among workplace colleagues. The winner of the Newcomer award receives $5,000 and the trip to Dubai.

A further $5,000 and a trophy is offered for the Thoroughbred Excellence Award awarded to the category winner (except Newcomer and Care and Welfare) judged to have made an exceptional and significant contribution.

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