Cover image courtesy of the Australian Stud and Stable Staff Awards
The annual recognition of those who toil hard behind the scenes to keep the racing and breeding industry ticking over takes place on May 29 with the shortlists for the Stud And Stable Staff Awards announced today.
Conducted by Racing Australia, Thoroughbred Breeders and Godolphin, the awards are a recognition of, and an appreciation of people who would not normally have their name in lights - but who deserve just that!
Several worthwhile candidates are on the short list for for seven sections...
Leadership Award (Stud or Stable)
Bailey Allen - Seymour Park, VIC
Ben Gunn - Yulong Investments, VIC
Fionnan McCarthy - McEvoy Mitchell Racing, VIC
Jim Carey - Newgate Farm, NSW
Paul Reid - Godolphin, NSW
Horsemanship Award (Stud or Stable)
Adam Daly - Newgate Farm, NSW
Adam Maitland - Godolphin, NSW
Arda Tascioglu - Freelancer, NSW
Dennis Gilmanov - Segenhoe Stud, NSW
Hazel Fertier - Freelancer, SA
Dedication to Breeding Award
Diane Colebrook - Armidale Stud, TAS
Haley Forde - Aquis Farm, QLD
Ngyrie Gonzalez - Alwyn Park Stud, WA
Rhys Coghlan - Yulong Investments, VIC
Sorcha Sweeny - Yulong Investments, VIC
Dedication to Racing Award
Fiona Fletcher - Greg Eurell Racing, VIC
Ian Smith - Annabel Neasham, NSW
Peter Jones - Self-employed, SA
Timothy Hanley - McEvoy Mitchell Racing, VIC
Trudie Clarke - TRNT, NT
Administration and Ancillary Award (Stud or Stable)
Belinda Miller - Sledmere Stud, NSW
Emma Cully - Star Thoroughbreds, NSW
Emma Parkinson - Vinery Stud, NSW
Matt Harrington - Danny O’Brien Racing, VIC
Matthew Comerford - Widden Stud, NSW
Sophie Johnson - Michael Freedman Racing, NSW
Wayne Massingham - Inglis, NSW
Thoroughbred Care and Welfare Award
Emily Kendall - Sheany Park, NSW
Julie Bramucci - Self-employed, VIC
Kate Rogers - Self-employed, QLD
Nicole Mutimer - NT Institute of Equestrian Sport, NT
Rebecca Henry - Self-employed, QLD
Newcomer Award (Stud or Stable)
Erin Lowry - Godolphin, NSW
Isabelle Toole - Vinery Stud, NSW
Jack Fonteyn - Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing, NSW
Matilda Jones - Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing, NSW
Shane Wormington - Clear Mountain Fairview, QLD
Two finalists for each category are due to be announced on Friday, 29 March 2024 with the ceremony taking place at the Gold Coast (coinciding with the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale) two months later.
"This year, the quality of nominations for the awards has truly been outstanding. We've witnessed an exceptional standard across the board," said Mel Weatherley, Chair of the Stud And Stable Staff Awards shortlisting committee.
“It's essential to recognise that the people within our industry are the true backbone. Their dedication and passion has to be rewarded.
The winner of the Stud and Stable Staff Newcomer Award is invited on an educational racing experience in Dubai | Image courtesy of Godolphin
"Now, the judging panel is diving into the tough job of going through the shortlisted nominees to pick out the two finalists. It's a thorough process because all the nominees are so impressive."
Several sponsors make these awards possible - the Victoria Racing Club, the Australian Turf Club, the Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT Program), Inglis, Magic Millions, the Melbourne Racing Club Foundation, Thoroughbred Industry Careers and Marcus Oldham.
Joining Mel Weatherley on the judging panel or the awards are Johan Petzer, Peter Heagney, Jenny Watson, James Tzaferis, Basil Nolan, Troy Corstens, Gary Fennessy, Reg Fleming and Mary Capuano.
Each of the categories see a trophy and $10,000 awarded to the winner and $3,000 to the runner-up whilst there is another trophy and an additional $5,000 to the person announced as the recipient of the Thoroughbred Excellence Award.
