Nominations are now open for the 2016 Irish Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards. The awards encompass 10 categories, which carry total prize-money of €70,000. This year, the Lifelong Learning Award has been replaced by the Newcomer Award. This new award is for an individual who has been working in any area of the thoroughbred racing and/or breeding sector for less than five years and who has shown commitment to, and ambition for, a career in the industry.
The 2016 awards will take place in the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Co Limerick on Tuesday evening, 19 April.
Godolphin, the global racing stable founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is the principal sponsor of the Irish Stud and Stable Staff Awards in association with The Irish Stablestaff Association, The Racing Post and Horse Racing Ireland. Godolphin also sponsors the equivalent Stud and Stable Staff Awards in Australia and Britain.
Nomination forms are available online at www.godolphin.com, www.issa.ie or from Horse Racing Ireland’s Head Office in Ballymany in Newbridge. Nominations can also be completed online at www.goracing.ie. Bernard Caldwell from the Irish Stablestaff Association (ISSA) and his colleagues will be distributing nomination forms at upcoming race meetings. In addition, every trainer and breeder will receive two nomination forms by post.
There is a separate nomination form for the Racecourse Award. Nominations for this award can only be made by members of the Irish Stablestaff Association and will be distributed at race meetings. Nominations can also be completed online at:
Nominations are open until Friday 12 February and must be returned to the Marketing Department in Horse Racing Ireland.
Joe Osborne, Managing Director, Godolphin Ireland, said: “Godolphin’s first sponsorship of the Irish Stud and Stable Staff Awards in 2015 was an enormous success and we are looking forward to building on that involvement this year. The high standard of the nominees was impressive and, no doubt, will be again in 2016. These awards bring well-deserved recognition to the talented and hardworking men and women who are so important to the continued prosperity of Irish breeding and racing. Godolphin is delighted to continue its sponsorship.”
Bernard Caldwell, Irish Stable Staff Association Chairman, said: “The Irish Stable Staff Association was delighted with the volume of nominations last year. Hopefully, the option to complete a nomination form online and the direct mail campaign will further increase the number of nominations for 2016. I would encourage as many trainers, breeders, owners and managers to nominate their colleagues in order to recognise the great employees we have in our industry.”
Commenting on the awards, Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), added: “The awards are an excellent platform to showcase the skill and dedication which all the nominees demonstrate in their jobs all year around. Godolphin’s sponsorship is a wonderful acknowledgement of all stud and stable staff who are the backbone of the industry.”
THE TEN AWARD CATEGORIES
1. Irish Racing Excellence Award
The winner of the Irish Racing Excellence Award will be selected from the winners of the Leadership Award; Rider/Groom Award; Head Lad/Girl / Travelling Head Lad/Girl Award; Stud Employee Award and Administration Award.
Prize: Trophy and an additional €5,000 to winner, and €5,000 to winner’s yard (to be divided amongst stable/stud employees).
2. Leadership Award
An award to an individual in a managerial or supervisory role in a stud or stable who has displayed leadership qualities – in particular in terms of mentoring and support.
Prize: Trophy and €5,000 to winner and €4,000 to winner’s yard (to be divided amongst stable/stud employees). The two runners-up will receive €500 each.
3. Rider/Groom Award
An award to an individual who has shown talent for horsemanship, consistency and reliability in and out of the saddle.
Prize: Trophy and €5,000 to winner and €4,000 to winner’s yard (to be divided amongst stable/stud employees). The two runners-up will receive €500 each.
4. Head Lad/Girl or Travelling Head Lad/Girl Award
An award to an individual who sets and maintains high standards of horsemanship and people management in a training yard.
Prize: Trophy and €5,000 to winner and €4,000 to winner’s yard (to be divided amongst stable/stud employees). The two runners-up will receive €500 each.
5. Stud Employee Award
An award to an individual who has shown talent for horsemanship, consistency and reliability in a stud role.
Prize: Trophy and €5,000 to winner and €4,000 to winner’s yard (to be divided amongst stable/stud employees). The two runners-up will receive €500 each.
6. Administration (Stud/Racing Stable/Ancillary Services) Award
An award to an individual who works in an administration role in a stud or racing yard.
Prize: Trophy and €5,000 to winner and €4,000 to winner’s yard (to be divided amongst stable/stud employees). The two runners-up will receive €500 each.
7. Dedication to Racing Award
An award for an individual who has worked for a minimum of twenty years in the breeding and/or racing sectors and who has played a pivotal role in his or her employers’ successes.
Prize: Trophy and €2,500.
8. Newcomer Award
An award to an individual who has been working in any area of the thoroughbred racing and/or breeding sector for less than five years and who has shown commitment to and ambition for a career in the industry.
Prize: Trophy and €2,500.
9. Ancillary Services Award
An award to an individual who works in a support services role in the racing or breeding sector.
Prize: Trophy and €2,500.
10. Racecourse Award
An award to the Irish (including Northern Ireland) racecourse which provides quality facilities for stable employees.
Prize: Trophy for racecourse and €2,500 to be spent on upgrades of facilities which will benefit stable employees.
