Finalists announced for the 2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards

The finalists for the 2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards have been announced on Friday, with the shortlists for each of the six categories narrowed down to three contenders.

Nominations for the event, formerly known as the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, saw 60 employees across the industry recognised, with ten-name shortlists drawn up for each award in November.

After this stage of the judging process just 18 remain with a chance of landing one of the awards, which acknowledge of the hard work and dedication shown to the sport by employees across various areas of the thoroughbred industry, but all of those shortlisted will receive a £250 prize in recognition of their achievement in getting this far.

The winner in each of the first four sections – newcomer, leadership, rider/groom and stud staff – will also be judged in the race to succeed Paddy Trainor as the overall Employee of the Year.

BHA chief executive Julie Harrington said: "I would like to congratulate all of this year's finalists on reaching this stage of the awards. They, along with their families and colleagues, should feel very proud.

"I would also like to congratulate those who made the shortlists. This is a significant achievement in itself and a tribute to your dedicated and skilful work."

Reigning Employee of the Year Paddy Trainor, alongside BHA chief exec Julie Harrington, will be part of the judging panel this timeCredit: Edward Whitaker

As is custom, Trainor will join the judging panel for this year's awards which is again chaired by Nick Luck and also features Mick Fitzgerald alongside new additions George Baker, former Classic-winning jockey, and Aintree's clerk of the course Sulekha Varma.

For the last two years, the award winners were revealed at a virtual ceremony due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the event returns to an in-person ceremony in 2023, which will be held at York racecourse on February 20.

Total prize-money of £128,500 will be up for grabs, with £30,000 available to an individual yard or stud. The awards are sponsored by Godolphin and run by the BHA in association with the Racing Post and Racing TV.

The finalists

David Nicholson Newcomer
Amy Grieve – Rose Dobbin
Ryan Kavanagh – Amy Murphy
Stephanie Wing – George Scott Racing

Leadership
Becky Smith – Micky Hammond
Jessica O'Keefe – Venetia Williams
Sarah Guest – John O'Shea

Rider/Groom
Amy Vickers – Harry and Roger Charlton
Emma Tully – Susan Corbett-Girsonfield Stud & Racing
Rita Gillies – Lucinda Russell

Stud Staff
Andrew Rawlin – Blue Diamond Stud
Bethan Byrne – Godolphin Management Co Ltd
Davina Burrows – Deerfield Farm

Dedication
Claire Ricks – Marco Botti
David Crofts – Marcus Tregoning
Patrick McConville – Hascombe & Valiant Stud Ltd

The Community Award (In recognition of the wonderful work Rory MacDonald achieved at The British Racing School)
Gay Kelleway – for her work supporting Ukraine
Jo Foster – community racehorse visits
Margo Walsh – The Jockey Club

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