Shining a light on the backbone of our sport is my favourite job of the year

It is my pleasure to once again be on the judging panel for the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards. The 18 finalists, along with the hundreds of additional nominees, are a fantastic representation of the many people working across the industry whose dedication and commitment make our brilliant sport possible.

It is fair to say that being a part of these awards is my favourite job of the year; it affords me the opportunity to shine a light on the people who are the backbone of our sport and to get to know the people behind the scenes – the unsung heroes who make it happen.

We know that up and down Britain, numerous people are working in stable yards and studs who do an incredible job of looking after our precious livestock; ensuring there is cover seven days a week, getting up in the early hours, getting back from the races late, doing night feeds, foaling round the clock and ultimately keeping the show on the road. As judges, our job is to look out for those shining stars, those whose contribution is truly exceptional, those who go above and beyond every day because they adore the horses in their care and are truly passionate about racing.

Alice Price, winner of the David Nicholson Newcomer Award at the 2021 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, at work at Ben Pauling's stableCredit: Edward Whitaker

Fortunately for us, year after year, we consistently see some incredible examples of exactly that, making our job an absolute joy! On the other hand, it is also a very difficult process to whittle down the nominees with such talent and dedication on show. Jack Berry once said to me that this judging role brings with it a huge amount of responsibility and he was absolutely right. While choosing from such a pool of talent is hard, the structure of the judging – with each judge taking a different category, with a different partner in each round – I think makes the process as fair as it possibly can be. As a judge, the other benefit is that you get to meet many more of the nominees.

Within the judging categories, we are able to recognise those who are just starting their career in the industry, who bring the new talent and enthusiasm which is so vital for the future of the sport. When judging this category, I look for individuals who are at the start of their journeys but demonstrate a clear willingness and desire to learn and progress, those who seek out opportunities to develop themselves, all while showing respect for the knowledge and expertise of their colleagues.

Equally important is the dedication and passion of those whose experience and skills have a real impact; the everyday heroes, and those who have dedicated a significant period of their lives to the industry. These are the leaders who act as mentors for their team members and nurture emerging talent.

The Community Award always brings with it some wonderful stories of individuals connected with racing who have demonstrated the values of our sport in myriad ways. Primarily, these people have demonstrated selflessness for the greater good of racing, whether they're making a difference to communities, people or racehorses through charitable efforts.

These awards, produced by the BHA, offer the chance for the industry to give back to some of its most important people. The generous sponsorship provided by Godolphin ensures that both individuals and the yards they hail from are rewarded for their efforts in a meaningful way and, importantly, the coverage by RacingTV ensures that followers of racing and fellow stud and stable staff can share in that experience.

I am privileged to have been part of the judging panel for these awards since 2015. Each year I continue to have my heart warmed by the stories of the entrants and am ever grateful to those who have taken the time to nominate their team members. The camaraderie is evident and it is such a great way for yard staff to come together and support their colleagues.

The judging panel comprises 12 people each year from a real mix of backgrounds, both those who have been on the panel previously and new additions. This year I am thrilled to be joined by last year's most deserving winner of the Employee of the Year award, Rebecca Edmunds. She truly set the standard with her dedication and loyalty to both the horses and colleagues in her care. She is a fantastic role model and it is fitting that she is part of the judging process for 2022.

There is a great synergy between the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards and Racing Welfare's work in that racing's people are at the heart of both. As important as it is to celebrate their successes and achievements, it is also crucial that they are fully supported in their working and personal lives so that they can flourish. The wellbeing of racing as a whole relies upon the wellbeing of its people, not least those providing the best possible care to our horses and staff on a daily basis.

While Racing Welfare supports people in a variety of roles across the industry, a large majority of those we support hail from yards. We know that the job of stud and stable staff can be physically and emotionally demanding in many ways, and our work aims to help people from recruitment to retirement, to thrive in day-to-day life and through a range of life's challenges.

With many initiatives to help racing in its mission to reach new audiences and grow, we also need to be mindful that our growth does not result in making unreasonable demands of our workforce. Ultimately, it is our responsibility to look after our most important assets and ensure they are not paying the price for increasingly demanding schedules.

It is fantastic to see so many employers demonstrating excellent working practices and support for their staff, and it is so important to highlight and celebrate those positive experiences alongside the challenges.

Our amazing sport is made by the stories behind it: the horses, the people, the journeys and the passion. These awards epitomise that and I am immensely looking forward to the awards ceremony. All that remains to be said is a huge well done to all those nominated, and good luck to the finalists!

Dawn Goodfellow is chief executive of Racing Welfare, a registered charity supporting the workforce of British horseracing. Racing Welfare offers professional guidance and practical help to the stud, stable and racecourse staff whose dedication is vital for the wellbeing of racing.

Racing Welfare's support services are completely confidential and non-judgemental. For support with mental, physical and financial challenges or even career development, call Racing's Support Line 24/7 on 0800 6300 443 or visit www.racingwelfare.co.uk.

The Godolphin Stud & Stable Awards get underway at 7.30pm on Monday night

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