SANDRA Hughes has been named as ambassador for the 2018 Irish Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards.
The former trainer’s role is to encourage as many nominations as possible during the six-week nomination period. She will be visiting racing yards and stud farms and attending race meetings, bloodstock sales and the ITBA Expo.
The awards encompass 10 categories, which carry total prize money of €84,000, an increase of €4,500 from 2017.
The 2018 awards will take place in the Knightsbrook Hotel in Trim, Co Meath on Monday, May 21st.
The Racing and Breeding Support Services Award now allows for three finalists, with a trophy and €5,000 for the winner. The two runners-up will each receive €1,000.
In addition to nominating online, every trainer, breeder and point-to-point handler will receive a nomination form by post. Nomination forms are also available from Horse Racing Ireland’s head office in Ballymany in Newbridge.
Bernard Caldwell from the Irish Stable Staff Association (ISSA) and his colleagues will be distributing nomination forms at upcoming race meetings. The nomination form is also available to download from the website.
Nominations are open until Monday, February 19th and must be completed online or returned to the Marketing Department in HRI by 5pm that day.
TEN AWARD CATEGORIES
1. Racecourse Award
The Racecourse Award winner will be chosen by the Irish Stable Staff Association, based on a quality programme survey with the purpose of setting quality standards for stable staff at all racecourses in Ireland.
Prize: €2,500 to be spent on upgrades of facilities which will benefit stable employees
2. Racing and Breeding Support Services Award
An award to an individual who works in any support service role within the thoroughbred racing and breeding sectors. This includes, but is not limited to, veterinary practices, farriers, horse transport, sales companies, horse dentists, physiotherapist and racing administration staff (racecourses, HRI and Turf Club employees).
Qualities:
Prize: Trophy and €5,000 to the winner. The two runners-up will receive €1,000 each.
3. Administration Award
An award to an individual who works in an administration role in the thoroughbred breeding and racing sector.
Qualities:
Prize: Trophy and €5,000 to the winner and €3,000 to the winner’s yard/stud/company to be divided amongst yard/stud/company employees. The two runners-up will receive €1,000 each.
4. Newcomer Award (stud and stable employees)
An award to an individual who has been working in any area of the thoroughbred racing and/or breeding sector for less than five years as of Friday 10th February 2017 and who has shown commitment to and ambition for a career in the industry including a desire to improve and progress their skills and knowledge.
Qualities:
Prize: Trophy and €2,500 to the winner and €1,000 to the winner’s yard/stud to be divided amongst yard/stud employees. The two runners-up will receive €500 each. The Newcomer Award winner will also receive a five-day educational tour of Dubai, with flights and accommodation included.
5. Horse Care Award (stud and stable employees)
An award to an individual working in a thoroughbred racing yard or stud farm who has shown talent for horsemanship, dedication, reliability, team spirit and attention to detail in their care of horses.
Qualities:
Prize: Trophy and €5,000 to the winner and €3,000 to the winner’s yard/stud to be divided amongst yard/stud employees. The two runners-up will receive €1,000 each.
6. In the Saddle Award (stud and stable employees)
An award to an individual working in a thoroughbred racing yard or stud farm who has shown exceptional horsemanship, dedication, team spirit and skill in the saddle such as breaking horses and/or riding-out.
Qualities:
Prize: Trophy and €5,000 to the winner and €3,000 to the winner’s yard/stud to be divided amongst yard/stud employees. The two runners-up will receive €1,000 each.
7. Travelling Head Person Award
An award to an individual working as a Travelling Head Lad/Lass who, while representing their employer at the racecourse, sets and maintains high standards of horsemanship; organisational and communication skills and attention to detail.
Qualities:
Prize: Trophy and €5,000 to the winner and €3,000 to the winner’s yard to be divided amongst yard employees. The two runners-up will receive €1,000 each.
8. Leads by Example Award (stud and stable employees)
An award to an individual in a supervisory or managerial role in a thoroughbred racing yard or stud farm who has displayed leadership, team spirit and positive interpersonal skills.
Qualities:
Prize: Trophy and €5,000 to the winner and €3,000 to the winner’s yard/stud to be divided amongst yard/stud employees. The two runners-up will receive €1,000 each.
9. Dedication to Racing and Breeding Award
An award for an individual who has worked for a minimum of 20 years in a full-time position in any area of the thoroughbred breeding and/or racing sectors. Nominees must be currently working in the industry, although persons currently working part-time (minimum 20 hours per week), having previously served 20 years full-time, may be included.
Qualities:
Prize: Trophy and €5,000 to the winner and €3,000 to the winner’s yard/stud to be divided amongst yard/stud employees. The two runners-up will receive €1,000 each.
10. 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 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.
Prize: Trophy and €5,000 to the winner and €5,000 to the winner’s yard/stud to be divided amongst yard/stud employees.
Web: studandstablestaffawards.ie
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