'The best part of the job for me is mentoring younger members of staff'

It still takes Catriona Bissett by surprise to this day. Not so much that she is the reigning Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards Employee of the Year but more the fact that she was put forward for the prize in the first place. After all, she is the one who usually does the nominating at Nick Alexander's Kinneston yard.

"It was a massive surprise," says the assistant trainer, almost a year to the day of her crowning moment. "Every year since I've worked in racing at this level I've nominated one or perhaps two people.

"Then last year I turned to Nick to see who he thought we should be nominating and he says, 'actually, I was thinking I'd like to nominate you'. I was totally surprised and for your employer just to nominate you means enough really."