- ITV’s Ed Chamberlin announced as the presenter of the prestigious Godolphin Stud and Stable staff awards ceremony on 20 February 2017
- Two weeks to go until nominations close on Wednesday 16 November 2016
Former Sky Sports football presenter and newly-appointed face of ITV Racing Ed Chamberlin brings profile, popularity and decades-worth of accumulated racing knowledge to these prestigious awards. We are delighted to announce that Ed will present the awards at the 13th annual Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards ceremony at the Jumeirah Carlton Towers in Knightsbridge on Monday 20 February 2017.
The former British Horseracing development programme graduate had early ambitions to go into racecourse management, but after a successful placement he accepted a job with Ladbrokes before joining Sky Sports where he has been chief football presenter for last five years.
He now returns full circle and will be presenting racing for ITV as of January 2017. Chamberlin’s support highlights the importance of the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards within the industry. The awards, which offer more than £120,000 in prize money across six categories, recognise and reward the hard work and dedication of stud and stable staff.
Ed Chamberlin said:
“I am thrilled to be asked to present the 13th running of the awards. Clare Balding will be a very hard act to follow but I am delighted to accept the challenge.
“Racing relies on the people who are closest to the horses, who look after them, ride them, read their moods and know when they are at their best or – just as important – when they’re not. These awards provide racing with a unique opportunity to recognise and applaud stud and stable staff and I’m very proud to be part of them.”
The Awards, sponsored by Godolphin and run by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in association with the Racing Post, are divided into the following categories; the David Nicholson Newcomer Award, the Leadership Award, the Rider/Groom Award, the Stud Staff Award, the Dedication to Racing Award, and the Rory MacDonald Community Award introduced for the first time last year.
As well as rewarding individual achievement, the Awards benefit the whole team, with separate cash prizes awarded to the yard of each winner. Two runners up in the six categories will also receive a cash prize along with their yard/stud or charity of their choice for the Rory MacDonald Community Award.
The Awards will also recognise an Employee of the Year, who will be selected from the core category winners and will receive an additional prize of £15,000, with the same amount going to their yard or stud.
Nominations are open for a final two weeks before they close on Wednesday 16 November and can be made by anyone within the industry so trainer, owners, managers and colleagues can all show their appreciation.
The 2017 Award winners will be chosen from a shortlist who will be interviewed by a panel of judges overseen by Brough Scott. The winners will then be announced during the Awards evening dinner and ceremony on Monday 20 February 2017.
The Awards are an important event in the racing calendar and are a good example of the racing community coming together to acknowledge the work that goes on behind the scenes.
Nomination forms can also be downloaded from the recently launched website www.studandstablestaffawards.co.uk, via www.racingpost.com and submitted by post. Alternatively simply text AWARDS to 07469 145150 and a member of the team will arrange for a form to be sent to you.
Notes to editors:
1. The categories are: Leadership Award, Dedication Award, Rider/Groom Award, Stud Staff Award, Rory MacDonald Community Award, David Nicholson Newcomer Award.
2. The winner of each of the first four categories will receive a prize of £5,000 with an additional £5,000 also being awarded to the winner’s yard or stud. Two runners-up in each of these categories will win £2,000 each, with the same amount going to their yard or stud.
The winner of the Rory MacDonald Community Award will receive £5,000, with the same going to a charity of their choice. The two runners-up will receive £2,000, with the same going to a charity of their choice.
The winner of the David Nicholson Newcomer Award will receive £2,000, with the same amount going to their yard or stud, while two runners-up will receive £1,000 each, with the same amount for their yard. The winner of this award will also receive an additional prize of a 5 day Educational trip to Dubai. Return flights and accommodation in a 5* hotel included.
The Awards will also recognise an Employee of the Year, who will be selected from the winners of the first four categories. That winner will receive an additional prize of £15,000, with the same amount going to their yard or stud.
3. Last year saw the launch of the ‘Rory MacDonald Community Award’, which will acknowledge those who support stud and stable staff or have made an outstanding contribution to benefit the wider racing community. The Awards provide an opportunity for the racing industry to highlight and thank the hard work put in by stud and stable staff across the country, and this award in particular acknowledges people who have had a positive impact on their community.
