Further recognition of the importance of stable and stud staff to the racing industry will take place at the inaugural Stable Staff of the Year Awards in central London on Tuesday 5th April, which will carry a total of £50,000 in prizes and prize money.
The Awards are generously sponsored by Godolphin for the next three years, and run by the British Horseracing Board in association with the Racing Post. Both the National Trainers Federation and the Stable Lads Association have been closely involved with the creation and development of the Awards.
The Awards, judged by a panel of industry experts, will be broken down into five categories:
1. Newcomer (less than 2 years in racing)
2. Senior Staff (to include yard and travelling staff & office administrators)
3. Rider/Groom
4. Stud staff
5. Special merit/Hero
One overall winner, to be presented with a cheque for £10,000, will be chosen from each of the five category winners, who will each collect £2,500. Two runners-up in each category will be awarded with £1,000.
The overall winner’s yard will also win £10,000, while the yards of the category winners will win £1,000 each. These latter prizes will be distributed in line with normal stable practice for pool money distribution.
Entry will be via a nomination form – Download the nomination form here (Should you experience problems downloading the file, right-click on the link, and select Save Target As). The emphasis is on a team approach, with nominations restricted to one per category, per yard. A long list of ten in each category will be drawn up, to be reduced to a short list of three by the judging panel. Each shortlisted nominee will meet with the judging panel individually, and be invited, along with their employer, to the Awards lunch.
The judging panel will be as follows:
Brough Scott (Chairman) – Editorial Director, Racing Post
John Francome – Channel 4 Racing broadcaster
Stephen Hadley – Showjumper/commentator
Gill Lovell – Executive Director, British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust
David Nicholson – BHB Bloodstock Representative
Dr Peter Webbon – Jockey Club Director of Veterinary Science and Welfare
A unanimous decision will be required from the panel for the overall winner award.
Baroness Mallalieu, Independent BHB Director and Chair of the Stable and Stud Staff Steering Group, said: “I hope these awards, generously sponsored by Godolphin, will prove to be a major step forward towards proper recognition and appreciation of stable staff, without whom racing simply would not happen.”
Bill Adams, National Secretary of the Stable Lads Association, said: “As part of the committee that formulated these awards, I am very pleased that Godolphin have put forward the prize fund and hope that the staff appreciate the opportunity of being involved. I would like to extend my best wishes to all those nominated.”
Rupert Arnold, Chief Executive of the National Trainers Federation, said: “It’s great that through these new Awards stable staff will join other leading industry players in receiving national recognition for their outstanding contribution to racing. The NTF fully supports the concept and is grateful to Godolphin for initiating and funding the awards.”
Notes to Editors:
1. The breakdown of the £50,000 prize fund is as follows:
Recipients Individual prize Yard prize Total
Long list (50) Certificates/trophy – £2,500
2 runners up from each of the 5 categories £1000 £10,000
Category Winners (5) £2,500 £1,000 £17,500
Overall Winner £10,000 £10,000 £20,000
Total: £50,000
2. All nominations must be received by 17th February. A long list of 50 nominees will be announced on March 3rd and the top three nominees in each category will be invited to meet the judges on March 9th when the winners will be decided. However, they will not be announced until the Awards ceremony on April 5th.
3. Download the nomination form here
(Should you experience problems downloading the file, right-click on the link, and select Save Target As).
