'I was shocked to see I wasn't the only person of colour to be nominated'

We all know how hard it can be to sell yourself. Whether you are a student sharpening up a personal statement or someone making a job application, being asked to effectively summarise your skills in words can leave even the best of us with writer's block.

Now try to imagine having to do that in anything other than your first language.

That has long been the challenge facing nominees for the newly rebranded Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, but organisers have sought to address this as they aim to encourage greater diversity among those up for the prizes to better represent the racing industry's workforce.

This year the judging panel will accept video nominations, allowing prospective finalists to demonstrate their horsemanship without written communication and language being a barrier. A translator is also being made available.

The move to make the awards more accessible has been welcomed by James Frank, who won the 2020 Employee of the Year. The 45-year-old arrived in Newmarket from Zimbabwe in 2002 and has worked at Anthony Oppenheimer's Hascombe and Valiant Stud since 2013, after beginning his career with Genesis Green Stud.

"The awards are open to everyone," says Frank, who works as a joint stud groom with Steve Goulding. "Each nomination is considered. It's not about who the person is – everybody has a chance regardless of their background.

"When I came to England I had worked in racing, but it was my first time working in the breeding industry. I started from the bottom and learned a lot. We had people from all over the world: India, Pakistan, Poland, Argentina and Brazil. We all learned about different cultures.

"We had people from different backgrounds with different languages. You'd learn about their upbringing and racing gave us that chance. You learn a lot and ultimately you're all brought together by horses.

James Frank celebrates his Employee of the Year award at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff AwardsCredit: Dan Abraham

"I remember Michael Swinburn telling me when I was at Genesis Green Stud that when you want your horse to walk, you should talk to them. He said you can use any language and they'll understand."

Frank stresses the importance of representation in encouraging more people from diverse backgrounds to pursue a career in racing and his awards success in 2020 has helped to single him out as a role model.

"I'm very glad to represent something and show you can achieve something in horseracing. I've spent 20 years in the industry and I've met most people you can think of and they're all quite lovely.

"It's about representation. If we can have children to come to see what we do and they see somebody they relate to, they can believe it is something they can try. The industry is open to everyone and you can progress like everybody else. You just have to work hard."

Freedom Zampaladus won the Community Award last year at an important time for his Urban Equestrian Academy. The organisation has suffered during the cost of living crisis and requires donations.

"The award came at a really good time for us," says the 42-year-old. "The last few years have been really tough with the pandemic and the cost of living crisis. It all takes its toll so the nomination came at a significant time. It helped Urban get through some tough months.

"As a black brother, it felt nice to be included, not because I'm black but because of what we stand for. I was shocked to see I wasn't the only person of colour to be nominated, or indeed win. It was a great surprise and has given me the confidence to nominate others."

Freedom Zampaladus, the founder of the Urban Equestrian Academy, in the paddock with one of his horses at Scraptoft Hill Farm near LeicesterCredit: Edward Whitaker

On the broader topic of diversity in British racing, Zampaladus adds: "You can't talk about equality without representation. You can't have people speaking on your behalf if they know nothing about what you go through, how you live your life and what's important to you.

"It's so important to see someone like myself winning an award like that. It might make it feel like a possibility for other people. It's all about making these things a reality for others – that's what drives the next generation to pick up the mantle and continue the fight."

The judging panel is chaired by broadcaster Nick Luck and he hopes for a broad range of nominations, which close on November 8. Entries can be made through the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards website and a total of £128,500 is on offer to recipients.

"Every single member of racing's workforce is eligible for one of these awards and we want to get the message out that the entry process is as accessible as possible," he says.

"As a judging panel, we must judge with a completely open hand and you hope you end up with a group of winners representative of the sport's workforce.

"The only way that will be reflected is if the nominations accurately reflect that. If there have been any barriers preventing people from nominating, please don't think you can't. Your background is no issue nor barrier, and hasn't been. It takes time, effort and energy to put a nomination in but if you feel passionately that somebody is worthy of an industry honour, then keep going as the message gets through."

'British racing has a fantastic workforce'

Changes to the nomination process in the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards are not the only way the sport is trying to champion diversity. For the first time, British racing has collectively marked Black History Month through the Diversity in Racing Steering Group.

The group has produced a series of videos to build on the All In The Race campaign, which include Epsom chair Brian Finch, Magnolia Cup winner Ashleigh Wicheard and Sky Sports Racing's Callum Helliwell sharing their experiences of working in the industry.

"As British racing we want everyone to have the opportunity to achieve their potential and ensure that fans from all communities feel welcome. It's therefore absolutely right that we recognise Black History Month and the Diversity in Racing Steering Group is delighted to lead racing in collectively marking this for the first time," said British racing's head of diversity and inclusion Naomi Howgate.

"We are lucky to have brilliant role models like Brian Finch, Ashleigh Wicheard and Callum Helliwell, and we're grateful to them for so honestly sharing their valuable experiences as part of the films being shared across the sport for Black History Month.

"British racing has a fantastic workforce and it's the responsibility of all of us who care about the future health and growth of the sport to work together to support initiatives to create more role models for future generations. This will ensure as many people as possible, from all backgrounds and diverse communities, will be part of British racing in the years to come."

Read more on diversity in racing:

'It was one of the most powerful images in racing I've seen - it was huge'

Magnolia Cup star: 'I'd be over the moon to get more black women into the sport'

Ashleigh Wicheard: 'White people already lead racing - I did it for those without the same chances' (£)

Nominations are open until November 8 for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, sponsored by Godolphin. The awards are an opportunity for employees from across the various areas of the industry, such as training yards, studs or administrative roles, to be celebrated for their hard work and dedication. Find out more by visiting thoroughbredawards.co.uk.