Andrew Snell honoured at Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards

Cheveley Park Stud in Newmarket had two causes for celebration at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards on Monday night, with Andrew Snell given the gong for the stud staff award and Max McLoughlin one of two runners-up for the David Nicholson newcomer award.

The stud's managing director Chris Richardson commended the pair saying: "I'm delighted that Andrew - who has been in the industry nearly 40 years and for 30 of them at Cheveley Park Stud - has been acknowledged by the industry, and it's a great reflection not only on him but on the staff as well.

"We encourage young people like Max, who are enthusiasts in the industry, into the business and he's a smart, young lad. He started at the National Stud and has been with us for nearly a year. He's become a junior assistant with me on the basis of the grounding that he's had and his knowledge.

"At the end of the day, the staff are the backbone of all that you do - as I'm fond of saying, there's no 'I' in team."

Richardson and the two nominees were joined on the evening by owner Patricia Thompson and her son Richard, Max's parents Paul and Sarah, Andrew's wife Stephanie, Sandwich Stud yearling manager John Hernon and other members of the Cheveley Park Stud team.

Snell began his career in 1980 at the National Stud in Newmarket, where he went on to spend ten years, the last five as assistant stud groom. He took up the position of stud groom at Cheveley Park Stud in 1990.

In 2004, Snell was appointed as stud manager to oversee the smooth running of all the divisions of Cheveley Park Stud, which also comprises Warren Hill, Ashley Heath, Strawberry Hill and Sandwich Studs.

"We've got a great team at home and without them we couldn't do anything," said Snell on receiving his award from Oli Bell. "Massive thanks must go to the Thompson family. It's been great, especially for the team at home - they deserve this more than I do."

McLoughlin joined Cheveley Park Stud, where he is junior management assistant, having completed the Entry To Stud Employment (E2SE) training at the National Stud.

Max McLoughlin: completed the Entry To Stud Employment (E2SE) training at the National Stud before joining Cheveley Park Stud as junior management assistantCredit: Ichiro Terashima

"Full marks to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed for putting on such a fantastic evening," added Richardson. "The Godolphin awards are very special and recognise staff at all levels."

The Cheveley Park Stud team all reported back to work on Tuesday morning bright and early with the breeding season in full flow.