Shortlists announced for the 2026 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards

Sixty people remain in contention for prizes at the 2026 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards after the shortlists were announced. The winners of the awards, sponsored by Godolphin, will be crowned in the final at Ascot on February 23.

An expert panel, chaired by broadcaster Nick Luck, has agreed a shortlist of ten candidates in each of the six award categories. The contenders will enter a second round of judging, which will establish the final three in each category. The categories are: Newcomer, Leadership, Rider/Racing Groom, Stud, Dedication, and Community.

The ceremony will be hosted by ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin and will culminate in the crowning of employee of the year, with all finalists securing a share of the £128,500 prize-money. Shortlisted nominees who do not make the final three will still receive a £250 prize.

Brant Dunshea, acting chief executive of the BHA, said: "Congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted for an award. This is a very impressive accomplishment, particularly given the high standard of competition again this year, and you should be immensely proud.

“The judges had a tough job in whittling down more than 160 nominations to a shortlist of just 60, and I hope that everyone who was nominated for an award will feel pleased that your hard work has been recognised by the people around you. My sincere thanks to our judging panel, to our generous and longstanding sponsors Godolphin, and our partners at the Racing Post, Racing TV and Ascot racecourse.

"These are the industry’s awards and it’s wonderful to see racing and breeding embrace their significance and the importance to the people they exist to honour.”

Judging panel chair Luck added: "As judges we always have our work cut out with the quality of nominations and the wide-ranging skills, experience and contribution of our nominees. This year has been no exception, with a typically competitive process that’s given us some seriously difficult decisions to make.

“But we feel that the shortlist represents a wonderful array of talent from across Britain and some exceptionally dedicated and committed people who make a positive difference to racing, breeding and our local communities. Round two certainly won’t be any easier!”

The shortlisted nominees for each category are:

Newcomer

Carly Rumsey – Jeremy Scott
Emily Lucas – James Moffatt
Emma Skerritt – Richenda Ford
Faye Levick – Jedd O’Keeffe
Freddie Wilks – Charlie Johnston
Lizzy Skidmore – Nick Gifford
Macey Ford – Jim Boyle
Poppy Hatton – Folland-Bowen Bloodstock
Sienna Anderson – Charlie Fellowes
Verity Haigh – Jo Foster

Leadership

Aideen Marshall – Kevin Philippart de Foy
Annelie Hollstenius – Stuart Williams
Carrie Sanderson – Karl Burke
Claire Freeman – Dan Skelton
Jaimie Duff – Lucinda Russell
Jennifer Burns – Jim Goldie
Louisa Allen – Jim Boyle
Michael Mavin – Tim Easterby
Ryan King – James Owen
Sarah Peacock – Hugo Palmer

Rider / Racing Groom

Bekah Duffy – Susan Corbett
Danielle Mooney – Karl Burke
Ellie Jefferson – Christian Williams
Erin Shannon – Roger Varian
Evie Gleason – Marcus Tregoning
Jessica Jubb – Nick Alexander
Kerry Bennett – Roger Varian
Kieran Kourdache – Karl Burke
Michelle Kramer – Paul Nicholls
Tom Busfield – Jedd O’Keeffe

Stud

Dayna Walsh – Tweenhills
Farhat Iqbal – Stetchworth and Middle Park Studs
Graham Rylance – Charlock Stud
Hannelore Gossage – Park Wood Stud
Isabel Byford – Shadwell Estate
James Goddard – Chasemore Farm
Laura Wright – Hazelwood Bloodstock
Oleh Ihnatenko – Whitsbury Manor Stud
Scott Marshall – Tweenhills
Zoe Andrews – Elms Bloodstock

Dedication

Christopher Pattenden – Diana Grissell
Derek Snaith – Charlie Fellowes
Emma Batten – Charlie Longsdon
Dean Angell – Amanda Perrett
Gemma Edwards – David Pipe
Helen Halliwell – James Fanshawe
Kate Ford – Goldford Stud
Kenny Williams – Michael Dods
Robert Storton – Jack Channon
Tina Jacobs – William Haggas

Community

Anna Collins – Chester Racecourse
Bobby Beevers – Autism in Racing
Geraldine Jones – Godolphin
Hayley Clements – Micky Hammond
Karen Davies – Racing Welfare
Liz Prowting – Thoroughbred aftercare
Louise Robson – Thoroughbred Dressage
Lucy Gurney – Women in Racing
Simon Bailey – Sports Chaplaincy UK
Susan Corbett – Charity work and mentoring

Racing Post+ Ultimate subscribers can get a fantastic mix of news, tips, comment and insight sent straight to their inbox every day, from Chris Cook's award-winning morning newsletter The Front Runner every weekday at 7.30am to different weekly emails from the likes of Tom Segal, Paul Kealy and Lee Mottershead every evening at 6pm every evening as part of The Ultimate Daily. Head here now