Written By Richard Edmunds
On September 6, some of the unsung heroes of the Australian thoroughbred industry will be honoured in the Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards. Staged in Australia every year since 2015, the awards recognise and reward the hard work and dedication of those who work behind the scenes across the Australian thoroughbred industry.
The finalists for the MRC Foundation Administration and Ancillary Services Award are Cecelia O’Gorman, from Thoroughbred Breeders Aus, and Susan Willis, from Yulong Investments.
TBA chief executive Tom Reilly spoke glowingly of the role O’Gorman plays in the organisation.
“Cecelia is driven by a huge desire to improve the industry she’s passionate about,” he said. “I have never met anybody who takes their responsibilities as seriously as she does.”
O’Gorman’s responsibilities include the TBA’s Fast Track program, which recruits young people for formal education in various aspects of the breeding industry and then places them with employers on studs.
Cecelia O’Gorman from Thoroughbred Breeders Aus
O’Gorman also administers the TBA’s internship scheme, which provides hands-on experience of Australian farms, racing establishments and practices to workers in the Chinese thoroughbred industry, from farrier work to veterinary techniques and stud farm operations.
Three Bridges studmaster Peter Liston also spoke in strong support of O’Gorman’s nomination.
“At a time when the thoroughbred industry has faced difficulties attracting staff, Cecelia has created a real change that will be of huge benefit across the worldwide industry,” he said.
"Cecelia has created a real change that will be of huge benefit across the worldwide industry." - Peter Liston
Willis, meanwhile, has been described as a vital contributor to Yulong’s rapid emergence as a major player in Australian racing and breeding.
According to Yulong’s chief operations officer Sam Fairgray, Willis revolutionised the organisation’s administration.
“Sue came in and undertook a complete forensic review of office systems that had been neglected,” he said.
Susan Willis from Yulong Investments
The range of changes and improvements Willis made includes accounts, insurance, tax and horse movements. Fairgray describes Willis as a pseudo racing manager and the “best in the business” at organising helicopters at short notice.
“Sue puts in whatever effort and hours are required to complete every task to the best of her ability and to be on call at all hours,” Fairgray said.
“Sue puts in whatever effort and hours are required to complete every task to the best of her ability." - Sam Fairgray
Prior to joining Yulong, Willis spent 17 years at the Australian Jockey Club, which she helped to move into the computer age. She also spent eight years with the Freedman brothers and three with Paul Messara.
“I’m very excited to be a finalist, there’s no doubt about that,” Willis said. “But it is also very good for Yulong, for our business to get some positive attention.”
