Racing owners, trainers and colleagues can now put forward deserving stable staff for this year’s Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff awards, as nominations opened last week.
For the first time, nominations this year can be made by anyone in the racing world – but names must be in by Friday 5 February.
The prize money, which has been nearly tripled this year, now stands at £120,000, up from £45,000 in 2009.
British Horseracing Authority director of communications Jon Ryan said: “Godolphin have always been extremely generous with their sponsorship and to have increased the prize-money to £120,000 shows just how highly they regard the awards.
“A great deal of time and effort has been put into improving both the nomination and judging process and a number of industry figureheads have been consulted.
“Now it is up to everyone in the sport to ensure the record prize-money is matched by a record number of entries in 2010.”
There are six categories and each winner will take home £5,000 (plus £5,000 for their yard) and runners up £2,000 (and £2,000 for their yard.)
Category winners (excluding the winner of the newcomer award) will then go forward for the overall Stud and Stable Staff employee of the year award for the chance of winning £25,000 to be split between the winner and their yard.
Nomination forms can be downloaded from www.britishhorseracing.com/stablestaff
Forms will also be available via email and post, as well as by text or phone request, making the process as quick and easy as possible.
The six categories are:
· David Nicholson Newcomer Award: for those who have displayed a desire to improve, have progressed their skills and knowledge and become an integral part of the team while employed in the industry for less than 5 years
· High Achiever Award: for those managing two or more staff who have displayed leadership qualities amongst their colleagues and peers, a desire to succeed in the industry and strong mentoring skills that have been to the benefit of those around them
· Rider/Groom Award: for those who have shown talent for horsemanship, consistency and reliability in and out of the saddle
· Stud Staff Award: for those who have shown expertise, dedication and reliability, excellent horsemanship, adaptability and teamwork while employed within a stud
· Dedication to Racing Award: for a long-serving member of staff who is an integral part of the team, offers a wealth of industry experience and knowledge and a love and dedication of their job
· National Association of Stable Staff (NASS) Special Merit Award: for someone who deserves special recognition for their work in the industry and who has to ‘go beyond’ on a day-to-day basis, achieving triumph in the face of adversity. This award is open to any NASS full member and nominations must also come from another NASS full member.
