Audrey O'Neill scoops highest accolade at Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards

Audrey O'Neill, an exercise rider and groom who has worked for John Oxx for 25 years, won the Irish Racing Excellence Award at the 2019 Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards, presented at the Killashee Hotel in County Kildare on Tuesday evening.

O'Neill, who also won the Horse Care Award and was among eight individual category winners at the ceremony, was chosen for the highest accolade by the judging committee.

In addition to her trophy and a €5,000 prize, O'Neill received a further €5,000 for the employees in the Oxx yard.

The Dedication to Racing & Breeding Award went to Robbie Gallagher, who has worked in the industry for 58 years. He has been head lad at Michael Halford's yard for the last 19 years having spent much of his career with Paddy and Kevin Prendergast.

Emma Connolly, who has worked in the industry for more than 20 years and is travelling head girl for Noel Meade, was the recipient of the Leadership Award for stable staff, while the equivalent award for stud employees went to Coolmore stallion manager Tony O'Meara.

Roll of Honour

Irish Racing Excellence Audrey O'Neill

Dedication to Racing & Breeding Robbie Gallagher

Racing & Breeding Support Services Wayne Middleton

Administration Dorothy Fleming

Horse Care Audrey O'Neill

Newcomer Cheryl McClean

In The Saddle David Roche

Leadership (stable employees) Emma Connolly

Leadership (stud employees) Tony O'Meara

Racecourse Gowran Park

Dorothy Fleming, racing secretary to trainer Ken Condon, won the Administration Award and Wayne Middleton, strength and conditioning coach at the Racing Apprentice Centre of Education in Kildare, received the Racing & Breeding Support Services Award.

David Roche, head lad for Henry de Bromhead, won the In The Saddle Award, while Cheryl McClean, an exercise rider and groom with Willie McCreery, received the Newcomer Award.

The Irish Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards are managed by Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Stable Staff Association in association with the Racing Post and Racing TV.

A total of ten awards, worth more than €80,000, were presented by writer and comedian Jarlath Regan while David Jennings, deputy editor of the Racing Post in Ireland, acted as master of ceremonies.

The trophies, created by Kilkenny-based sculptor Ani Mollereau, are a contemporary design of a thoroughbred representing the spirit of the horseracing industry.

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