Mick Turner, BHA Equine Welfare & Integrity Officer, has been recognised for his contribution to the British Horseracing industry at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday 23 December. Mick was presented with the Lifetime in Racing Award Trophy and a VIP raceday, set up by Racing Welfare to celebrate the dedication, commitment, and passion of those horseracing industry employees who have spent a lifetime dedicated to the sport.

Mick began his career with the BHA back in 1988 as a Stable Security Officer and has been with the BHA ever since. Mick’s original role has developed a lot over the years, and he is now an integral part of the team working as an Equine Welfare Integrity Officer across the country.

Mick said:

“The best part of my job is seeing some great horses but especially seeing the stable staff. Over the years you get to know them all really well, they are the real heroes in the racing industry, hard‐working, out in every weather and on weekends etc. They are what my job means to me and if I can just make them smile and enjoy their day then I have had the perfect day.

“Working for the BHA is a privilege, it’s not a 9/5 job, I just love going to work. My best day of all for the BHA was the Aintree 2014 Grand National meeting, I was on duty when Pineau De Re won the race and the groom who looked after him and led him up was my partner Carolyn, we both had tears in our eyes that day!”.

His manager Jeremy Willis fully supported the accolade, saying:

“Mick has always been a very valued colleague throughout his many years of service as a Stables Integrity Officer to the Jockey Club and the BHA. He has the enviable ability to combine strength of integrity to his role, while demonstrating a high level of participant engagement, particularly with Racing Staff.

“His focus has always been customer based, and his ability to recognise faces is second to none. Mick has been a mentor to a number of our Equine Welfare Integrity Officers (EWIOs), both to new employees and providing assistance to established members of our team.”

But – it’s not just Mick’s colleagues who have got behind him. Travelling stable staff have referred to Mick as “a gent come rain or shine” and said that “he is always so supportive and understanding. Racing without Mick just wouldn’t be the same!’’

Four regional awards were presented by Racing Welfare across the country as part of Racing Staff Week, and Mick was the winner for the West Region. Thanks go to Cheltenham and The Jockey Club for supporting the initiative and their wonderful hospitality for well‐deserving winners