ALMOST 300 people attended the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards. This was the fifth year under Godolphin’s sponsorship, the event delayed this year following a review of Godolphin’s sponsorship portfolio.

Bernard Caldwell, chairman of the Irish Stablestaff Association, said: “It was an excellent night and it was great to see so many well-deserving members of our industry walk away with such recognition. The standard of the awards scheme was at a new level this year and I would like to thank all of those who nominated stud and stable staff, congratulate all of the finalists and thank Godolphin for their sponsorship and HRI for all their help organising the night.”

Joe Osborne, managing director of Godolphin Ireland, commented: “The quality of the finalists this year was off the charts and I would like to pay tribute to all of our finalists and winners. There was a huge spectrum of people participating in the awards this year and that could be seen from the enthusiasm and brilliance of the Newcomers Award, to the finalists in the Dedication to Racing & Breeding Award where the three finalists have 150 years of work in the industry between them.”

Michael O’Rourke, formerly of Horse Racing Ireland, remains chairman of the judging panel and is assisted by Ray Bergin (IHRB), Bernard Caldwell, Ger Flynn and Shane Lyons of the Irish Stablestaff Association, former award winners Pat Farrell, Pat O’Donovan, Jimmy O’Neill and Owen Smyth, Michael Grassick (IRTA), Carol Nolan and Barbara White of Horse Racing Ireland, Shane O’Dwyer (ITBA) and breeder Olive O’Connor.

The work put in to organise the event by Barbara White and her colleagues in HRI’s marketing department was noted numerous times, as was the huge effort made by awards ambassador Sandra Hughes to drum up over 300 nominations.

Each category winner receives €4,000 with the other two finalists getting €1,000 each. The Newcomer Award winner receives €2,500 and a trip to Dubai. The two other nominees in that category get €500.