Kindness celebrated at staff awards as Delahunt lands top prize and €9,000 cash

On a captivating night that celebrated the kindness and compassion of racing’s stud and stable staff, Brian Delahunt was honoured with the prestigious overall prize at the Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards at the Keadeen Hotel, near the Curragh, on Tuesday.

A groom at David and Tamso Cox’s Baroda Stud, Delahunt has worked in the bloodstock industry all his adult life and was a popular winner of the Irish Racing Excellence Award after eight names went forward for selection.

The €5,000 prize took his cash winnings to €9,000 following the initial €4,000 purse, while two €2,500 cheques are winging their way to the Coxes to be used for the benefit of their Baroda staff.

Group shot (standing): Bernard Caldwell, Imran Haider, Richard Lyttle, Ruth Morrison (both of Downpatrick racecourse), Maria Sullivan, Edward Farrell, Stephanie McGinley and Joe Osborne. Front row: Denis Lawlor, Brian Delahunt, Tom Agar and Sinead O'SulliCredit: Patrick McCann

Godolphin’s sponsorship of the incentive, which is in its seventh year, saw €62,500 in cash distributed directly to the winners and their colleagues. True to the spirit of the event, the money was not mentioned by any of the winners.

Like everyone else whose endeavours were recognised, Delahunt seemed genuinely humbled by his accolade.

“I come from a farming background, and myself and my brother always kept a mare or two at home,” he said after walking up to receive his trophy to a standing ovation.

“I lost my brother last year, so I’d like to dedicate this to him. He is probably the reason I am in this game.”

He added: “Horses are very special and each and every one of them is an individual. Some horses are very good, some are very ordinary – but you don't like them any less. You care for them and their wellbeing.

Imran Haider with Team Mullins after winning his employee awardCredit: Patrick McCann

“If they have a sickness or an injury, it really hits you, and it leaves you very uncomfortable. You’re always hoping they will turn the corner, and that’s the big joy, seeing them return to full health.

“I enjoy what I do and I’ve been lucky to work with some wonderful people along the way.”

The seven other individual winners all spoke in similarly appreciative terms on being presented on stage with their Ani Mollereau trophies. They provided great entertainment along the way too.

A suitably giddy Stephanie McGinley provoked a roomful of laughs when, on noting she was the youngest member of staff at Boardsmill Stud, said with a glint in her eye: “Sure, I teach them a thing or two as well.”

Stephanie McGinley: receives her employee awardCredit: Patrick McCann

Joe Osborne, managing director of Godolphin Ireland, was keen to pay tribute to the quality of the winners.

“This sponsorship is very close to our hearts,” he said. “It’s an honour to be part of a process that recognises and rewards the great people that we have here in our Irish industry and it has been very gratifying to see the high calibre of people that have been selected.

“A word that struck me that seemed consistent across so many of the nominees – not just the eight finalists tonight – is kindness. And not just to the horses in their care, but the kindness that they show to their colleagues, to new entrants to the business; people doing things that are above and beyond the call of duty give us a great sense of pride.”

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