Former jockey George Baker and Aintree’s Clerk of the Course Sulekha Varma have been appointed to the Judging Panel for the 2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards sponsored by Godolphin, it has been confirmed.

Nominations for the awards are open until Tuesday 8 November and can be made online by anyone, simply by visiting www.thoroughbredawards.co.uk.

George Baker is a multiple Group 1-winning jockey, including having enjoyed Classic success aboard Harbour Law in 2016, as well as on British Champions Day in 2013 when he won the Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes with Seal Of Approval.

He is now a regional jockey coach, based in Lambourn and employed by the Jockey Coaching Programme, as well as being a highly respected pundit, working with Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards media partner, Racing TV.

Having previously been Racing Manager and Clerk of the Course at Hamilton Park, Sulekha Varma was named Clerk of the Course and North West Head of Racing at Aintree in December 2019.

She has since overseen the running of two renewals of the Randox Grand National, the race having been cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

George Baker

George and Sulekha join a Judging Panel chaired by broadcaster Nick Luck and including the 2022 Employee of the Year Award winner Paddy Trainor.

“I am excited to join the judging panel for the 2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards sponsored by Godolphin,” said George.

“There is only a week left for people to nominate their friends and colleagues and I would urge everybody to do so, because even being nominated, let alone shortlisted or winning an Award, means an awful lot to those who are.

“As a jockey, a key part of my success was having horses underneath me that were well cared for, in good shape and ready to perform on the day. Behind everything I did as a jockey was a team of people at yards across the country working hard to ensure this was the case, and I am delighted to be able to play a part in once again ensuring these people are recognised and honoured for their dedication.”

Sulekha Varma 

Sulekha added: “It is an honour and a pleasure to join the Judging Panel for these prestigious awards. Over the last 18 years, we have seen the impact these awards have in terms of shining a spotlight on some of the most deserving people in our industry and I very much look forward to meeting this year’s nominees and learning their stories.

“I am sure deciding upon the eventual winners is going to be very difficult, as I know from my experience working on racecourses how much hard work it takes from so many people to present horses to race in the best possible condition.”

Supported by Godolphin and run by the British Horseracing Authority in association with the Racing Post and Racing TV, the 2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards sponsored by Godolphin will present prize-money totalling £128,500, with as much as £30,000 available to a single organisation.


Notes to editors:

1. Nominations for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards sponsored by Godolphin are open until Tuesday 8 November and can be made online by anyone by visiting www.thoroughbredawards.co.uk