'Horses have changed our lives' says Employee of the Year James Frank

A career which has taken James Frank from Zimbabwe to Newmarket where he has nurtured some of British racing's top equine stars in their formative months was recognised on Monday night when he was crowned Employee of the Year at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards.

Frank, who works for Anthony Oppenheimer's Hascombe and Valiant Stud, was presented with the Godolphin Trophy by champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy alongside presenter Ed Chamberlin at the event which took place at the UnderGlobe on London's South Bank.

Frank also took home £20,000 in prize-money with the same amount being shared among the staff at the stud where Frank has had the likes of Golden Horn, Cracksman and Star Catcher pass through his hands.

Having received the winner's trophy, Frank, who had earlier won the Stud Staff Award, said: "Thank you so much to the judges, Hascombe Stud and all those who have stood behind me. I thank you.

"Horses have played a big part in my life. My children and family are here today to support me – their lives have been changed by me working in the horseracing industry. If I wasn't working in it I would probably be at home struggling with life right now.

"Horses have played a very, very big part and have changed our lives."

Frank, 43, first came to Britain in 2002 but had previously worked in Zimbabwe's racing industry where his father was a groom and a brother, Daniel, a jockey.

His hopes of following in his brother's footsteps did not work out so he began as a groom for former champion trainer Murray Linley in October 1994, a job which ended tragically early when his boss died in a plane crash the following January.

After moving to another stable and a short break away from racing, Frank then worked for trainer Ronnie Sheehan until 2002, when he answered an advert for positions in England at a time when, in his words, "things were not going as well for racing in Zimbabwe".

Frank began work as a stud groom at Genesis Green Stud but had to return to Zimbabwe after two years when his work permit expired.

However, thanks to Genesis Green co-owner Michael Swinburn's perseverance, he was able to return, moving on to his current employers in 2012.

It was there he looked after the young Golden Horn who is Frank's "all-time favourite".

"Everybody talked about winning the Derby at the stud and winning the Derby was phenomenal," Frank said. "The Arc was the icing on the cake."

Frank paid tribute to the team at the stud, and added: "I wouldn't have managed it without them, the people that I work with. They are actually the cornerstone of my job, without them there's no me."

He also thanked his employer, saying: "I've got to thank Mr Oppenheimer for giving me the opportunity. If they hadn't nominated me I wouldn't be here.

"I wish they were here tonight but they are in South Africa. They have been sending messages of congratulations which is very pleasing."

Fiona McGlone of Hascombe and Valiant Stud said Frank was a "very deserving winner of the awards".

"He’s a great team player and an integral part of the Hascombe team. His work ethic is exceptional," she added.

"We feel we can depend on him in any situation; we know without asking that everything will be done to the highest standard.

"His love of horses and his skill and dedication are something which I believe everyone in our industry should aspire to."

A total of £128,000 in prize-money was awarded to the evening's winners by sponsors Godolphin.

Ed Chamberlin and Oisin Murphy presenting Andy Stringer with The Dedication AwardCredit: Dan Abraham

There was a link to Frank from the winner of the Dedication to Racing Award which went to Andy Stringer, who works for John Gosden, the trainer of Golden Horn, Cracksman and Star Catcher.

Stringer has worked for 42 years in racing and told the audience: "I love this game and I've got 20 years in me yet! This is the greatest sport there is and British racing is the best racing in the world bar none."

He added: "It does mean a lot to me and I'm sure it means a lot to my family. You lead a nomadic lifestyle as a travelling head lad. You're here, there and everywhere, they don't see you too much but this is great to be recognised by the sport, it's fantastic."

The David Nicholson Newcomer Award went to Kevin Skelton, who works for trainer Bryan Smart and only joined the racing industry 14 months ago.

He said: "I'm absolutely over the moon. It's a testament to the yard. I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for Mr and Mrs Smart and everybody at home.

"It's not just myself, it's the team and everything is teamwork in this industry. Tonight is testament to that."

Ed Chamberlin and Oisin Murphy presenting Mat Nicholls with The Leadership AwardCredit: Dan Abraham

Mat Nicholls, assistant to trainer Kim Bailey, won the Leadership Award and reacted with great modesty.

"I'm a bit embarrassed to tell you the truth, I'm not sure I am the right person to be up here," he said before Chamberlin assured him he was.

"People have been doing it a lot longer and I am sure a lot better than me. It's massive, I'm really proud."

Hayley Ashcroft, who works for Tom Dascombe, won the Rider/Groom category and her enthusiasm for the job shone through.

"I am really shocked," she said, "I didn't expect that.

"I never thought I'd be doing this, just one little thing and you can go as far as you want. People like my head lad and my boss, they just help you every step of the way. It's such a great industry, it's amazing."

Simone Sear landed the Rory MacDonald Community Award for her work at Racing Welfare.

"That's extremely special," she said. "What a team they are [at Racing Welfare] and this is about them as well.

"There's a lot happening. I think wellbeing is a big issue right across society and I think racing does it really really well. I think there is a vision for wellbeing for everybody in racing."

The award winners

Employee of the Year: James Frank - Hascombe and Valiant Stud

David Nicholson Newcomer Award: Kevin Skelton - Bryan Smart

Runners up: Charlotte Cotgrave – Mark Johnston, Bradley Harris – Andrew Balding

Leadership Award: Mat Nicholls - Kim Bailey

Runners up: Leanne Kershaw – Jedd O’Keeffe, James Savage – Sir Michael Stoute

Rider/Groom Award: Hayley Ashcroft - Tom Dascombe

Runners up: Shoab Patel – Stuart Williams, Kate McCormack – Paul Nicholls

Stud Staff Award: James Frank - Hascombe and Valiant Stud

Runners up: Paddy Meehan – The National Stud, Keith Warburton – Shade Oak Stud

Dedication to Racing Award: Andy Stringer - John Gosden

Runners up: Seanie Mulcaire – Philip Hobbs, Phil Wright – Harry Dunlop

Rory MacDonald Award: Simone Sear – Racing Welfare

Runners up: Eleanor Boden – Scottish Racing, Rachel ‘Chicky’ Oaksey – Injured Jockeys Fund

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