'I get a real kick out of bringing people along and sharing what I've learned'

In the second of our series on the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, Catriona Bissett, 31, talks about her role as assistant trainer to Nick Alexander and reflects on scooping the Leadership Award and being crowned overall Employee of the Year last February

What do you need to be successful working at a professional racing yard?

I think the main thing is paying attention to everyone you work with and everyone you work around. We're all trying to do the same thing but everyone has different ideas of what the best way to do it is. The more you listen and the more you watch, the more you pick up and all those little things along the way stand you in good stead. Everyone has different ideas and everyone's input is valid.

What's the best thing about your job?

Working with other people that feel the same as I do. I especially like working with young people when they join our team – I get a real kick out of bringing people along and sharing what I've learned. Seeing people fall in love with the sport and progressing is what I love. It's a real team thing and developing people's skills is what I enjoy.

There seems to be a close-knit family feel about the Alexanders, what would you say you have learned from them?

I think the best thing about working here is the inclusion we have. In a high-pressure job that can be hard work, you have to work closely with people and it's a real team game. Everyone's voice has merit here and everything is so thorough. Nick and I have constant meetings to discuss things and we work hard together to make sure every detail is covered. Everyone buys into it and even the part-time staff get involved and that's really unique to the place.

Catriona Bissett celebrates winning the Godolphin Employee of the Year Award with trainer Nick AlexanderCredit: Dan Abraham

What did it mean to win your awards?

I was very shocked but proud. I was just touched to be nominated because, as I mentor staff at our yard, I've always been the person nominating in the past. The money is incredible – we had £40,000 to share between the team and that's massive. I've been able to put some of the money away to fulfil my ambition of training in the future.

What have the last eight months since the awards been like?

I've done some amazing things. I've been invited on to Luck On Sunday, I've been to the Ayr Gold Cup and spoken on ITV. It's been a little bit embarrassing as it's a team game but I'm very grateful and it's shown me how nice people in racing are.

How important are these awards?

The industry as a whole has been superb in the last couple of years highlighting what goes on at home and how people work. The best thing about the Godolphin awards is that the whole team win, so you're highlighting one person's work but you're also rewarding their team, because you're only as good as the people you work with.

Nominations for the 2020 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards are now open: there are six award categories and a total £128,000 in prize-money. Nominations close on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, and can be made at studandstablestaffawards.co.uk. The awards ceremony will take place on the evening of Monday, February 24, 2020, at The UnderGlobe, located under the iconic Shakespeare's Globe theatre in London.

Read The Lowdown from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post app for all the day's going updates, news and tips