Tommy Hayes among the winners at Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards

Tommy Hayes, a long-serving member of the facilities team for Goffs, was among the award winners at Tuesday night's Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, a ceremony held at the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, County Kildare.

The Godolphin-sponsored event also saw eight other award winners. Hayes, who joined Goffs in 1984, earned his award for keeping the stables, grounds and auditorium in prime condition for every sale throughout the year.

Sadly Hayes was unable to attend the awards in person due to illness, with his award being picked up by his daughter, Maria Sullivan.

Goffs Group chief executive Henry Beeby said: "All of us at Goffs are so proud of our wonderful colleague Tommy Hayes and are thrilled that his hard work and dedication has been recognised by the industry in this way.

"This award is richly deserved as Tommy is the epitome of hard work, loyalty and decency, and has been a key part of Goffs for almost 40 years.

"As true gentleman, Tommy invariably puts others first and along with the entire facilities team, led by Ger Hennessy, does a phenomenal job in ensuring Kildare Paddocks is always in such pristine condition for the sales and that every vendor is welcomed and made to feel important, because every one of them is special."

The other award winners were:

• Tom Agar, Senior Groom, Jim Bolger, Co Kilkenny
• Brian Delahunt, Stud Groom, Baroda Stud, Co Kildare who also won the Irish Racing Excellence Award
• Edward Farrell, Stud Groom, Lisieux Stud, Co Kildare
• Imran Haider, Barn Manager & Work Rider, Willie Mullins, Co Carlow
• Denis Lawlor, Stud Groom, Ballyphilip Stud, Co Limerick
• Stephanie McGinley, Stud Groom, Boardsmill Stud, Co Meath
• Sinead O’Sullivan, Travelling Head Groom, John J Murphy, Co Cork
• Downpatrick racecourse

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