NOMINATIONS for the 10th Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, supported by Godolphin close at 5pm next Friday, February 13th.

Anyone can nominate a friend or colleague for an award and must be completed online.

The nomination process has been simplified for the 2026 awards. In previous years nominators were required to write a detailed profile of their nominee. This year the nominator will be contacted by a representative of Naas-based Clark People Solutions who will complete the nominee profiles by phone.

Sponsored by Godolphin and supported by the Irish Stable Staff Association, Horse Racing Ireland, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and the Racing Post, the awards recognise and reward the exceptional skills, experience and dedication of the women and men in the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry and offer €60,000 in prize money across 10 award categories for the winners and their workplace colleagues.

In addition to a Newcomer Award and five Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, an Administration Award and an Ancillary Services Award have been introduced for 2026. All winners are then eligible for the Irish Racing Excellence Award, which will be announced at the awards ceremony. The Racecourse Award winner, chosen by the Irish Stable Staff Association, will also be revealed on the awards night.

The Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards ceremony will take place in the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, County Kildare on Tuesday, June 2nd.

Sandra Hughes, Godolphin’s Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Ambassador, is available to anyone who has questions or needs assistance with nomination queries.