A TOTAL of 21 finalists, shortlisted for seven of the 10 award categories in the 2017 Irish Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, have been revealed.

The finalists were shortlisted from over 150 nominations received.

The winner in each of these categories will receive a specially-commissioned trophy and €5,000 in prize money, with the exception of the Newcomer Award, who will receive a trip to Dubai, plus €2,500.

The winner’s yard, stud or company in each category will also receive a cash prize to be divided amongst its employees.

The winners of the Racecourse and Racing and Breeding Support Services Awards will be announced at the awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 9th in the Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny and will receive a trophy and a €2,500 cash prize.

QUALITY

For the 2017 awards, the Racecourse Award will be chosen by the Irish Stablestaff Association based on a quality programme survey with the purpose of setting quality standards for stable staff at all racecourses in Ireland. The racecourse with the highest score will win the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Racecourse Award.

The flagship award – the Irish Racing Excellence Award – will be presented to one of the winners of the Administration, Newcomer, Horse Care, In the Saddle, Travelling Head Person, Leads by Example and Dedication to Racing and Breeding awards.

This person, who is, in the opinion of the judging panel, the most deserving of recognition for their commitment, hard work, and ongoing contribution to the high standards and reputation of the Irish thoroughbred industry.

The winner of this award will receive an additional trophy and €5,000, plus another €5,000 for their yard, stud or employer.

The 10 award categories carry total prize-money of €80,000, an increase of €10,000 from 2016.

The finalists in each category were chosen by the 10 judges on the Irish Stud and Stable Staff judging committee who reviewed each of the nomination forms and interviewed all the finalists.

AWARDS FINALISTS

Administration: Tom Gallagher (Kildangan Stud), Catherine McAvinney (Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital), Zoe Winston (Gordon Elliott Racing).

Newcomer: Mark Byrne (Ballylinch Stud), Sarah McCrory (Ted Walsh), Patrick Murray (Dermot Weld).

Horse Care: Joe Behan (Derrinstown Stud), Ashley Hussey (Jessica Harrington), Elaine O’Donovan (Eoin Griffin).

In The Saddle: Brendan Hoare (Coolmore Stud), Derek McCormack (Dermot Weld), Adrian Taylor (Jim Bolger).

Travelling Head Person: Patrick O’Brien (Dermot Weld), Camilla Sharples (Gordon Elliott), Hazel Wallace (Tracey Collins).

Leads by Example: Robert Hennessy (Sandra Hughes), Joseph Mulholland (Dermot Weld), Owen Smyth (Kildangan Stud).

Dedication to Racing and Breeding: Tony Coyle (Yeomanstown Lodge Stud), Robert Gallagher (Michael Halford), Tommy Woods (Paul Nolan).