- New Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Award category to commemorate Rory MacDonald
- Award recognises unsung racing community heroes
- Nomination window extended to Friday 4 December
The Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Racing Community Award, which has been launched this year in conjunction with Racing Welfare, will be renamed the Rory MacDonald Community Award and nominations across all categories will be accepted until this Friday.
Rory MacDonald, who was Chief Executive of the British Racing School (BRS) for 22 years, sadly passed away last month. He worked tirelessly for the racing community, and the sport as a whole, and gave many young people a strong start to their careers in racing. After Rory retired from the BRS he continued to show his desire to help and support others by taking up charitable roles in racing, including as a trustee of Retraining of Racehorses. Rory’s work made a huge difference for the good of British Racing – his commitment to helping others, altruism and enthusiasm epitomises the nature of this Award.
Brough Scott, Chairman of the Judging Panel, said:
“We are delighted that we are able to commemorate Rory and his contribution to the sport by naming the Racing Community Award in his honour. Rory’s work will have a lasting impact on our sport and I hope this Award goes some way to enable us to acknowledge what he has done for our industry.
“The Rory MacDonald Community Award is to recognise and reward the unsung community heroes within the industry, either by one off acts of generosity or heroism or through a lifetime of commitment. The award covers the entire industry and celebrates the achievements and activities not just in the workplace or on the racetrack but throughout the racing community. I urge you to nominate those people who work tirelessly behind the scenes for this Award, so we can reward them for their contribution to the sport as a whole.”
Rory’s wife, Antonia, said:
“I am rather lost for words, all I can say is that Rory would be so totally overwhelmed by what is a truly remarkable tribute. I know how hugely honoured he would be and how extraordinarily proud I am.”
The nomination window for all categories has been extended to Friday 4 December.
Nominations can be submitted here: https://britishhorseracing.wufoo.eu/forms/the-godolphin-stud-and-stable-staff-awards-2016/
Or nomination forms are available to download at: stage.britishhorseracing.com/stablestaff
Alternatively, email [email protected] or text AWARDS to 07970 527339 and a member of the team will arrange for a form to be sent to you.
Notes to editors:
1. The six categories are: Leadership Award; Dedication Award; Rider/Groom Award; Stud Staff Award; Rory MacDonald Community Award; and David Nicholson Newcomer Award. The Employee of the Year will be selected from among the winners of the first four categories.
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 their yard or stud. Two runners-up in 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 amount going to a charity of their choice and runners-up receive £2,000 and the same amount will be donated to a charity if their choice. The winner of the David Nicholson Newcomer Award will receive £2,000, with the same amount going to their yard or stud, as well as a five day education trip to Dubai to learn more about the country’s racing, culture and customs, which includes a return flight and five nights’ accommodation at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel’s five-star resort. The two runners-up will receive £1,000 each, with the same amount for their yard or stud.
The Employee of the Year will receive a further £15,000, with the same amount awarded to their yard or stud.
