Nominations open for revamped Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards

The Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, which honour racing’s everyday heroes, will have a fresh look for 2023 when they will be known as the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards.

The awards, which have taken place for the last 18 years and which will continue to be sponsored by Godolphin, offer an opportunity for recognition to all those who work in the thoroughbred industry across all stages of their lives and careers.

Nominations open on Tuesday and remain open for six weeks until November 8. Members of staff can be proposed through the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards website. A total of £128,500 in prize-money for the awards is on offer to recipients.

The 2022 award winners were revealed at a virtual ceremony, with Paddy Trainor, who works for Mark and Charlie Johnston, receiving the Employee of the Year award. However, the event will return to an in-person ceremony in 2023, with final details to be confirmed.

Hugh Anderson, managing director at Godolphin (UK and Dubai), said: "The racing and breeding industries are very fortunate to have such devoted, hardworking people who, without a doubt, keep our wonderful sport going.

"There are many different roles in the industry, all as important as each other, and I am confident the new, all-encompassing Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards will see nominations for a wide range of people and another truly outstanding group.

"Godolphin is delighted to continue to sponsor these awards and I look forward to celebrating the achievements of these wonderful employees in person once again."

Trainor will feature on the 2023 judging panel which will be chaired by broadcaster Nick Luck, who took on the duties for the first time in 2021 when taking over from Brough Scott.

Luck said: "For many years some of racing’s most vital and dedicated individuals have been rightly celebrated by the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, and I am excited that this opportunity to reward excellence is being expanded by the new Godolphin Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards.

"So many people, in so many various roles, play key roles in ensuring the sport we love takes place day in, day out. On top of this, they ensure that racing is a vibrant part of local communities up and down the land and I look forward to meeting what I am sure will be a stellar cast of nominees once again in the coming months."

Nominations are now open for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, sponsored by Godolphin. Find out more by visiting thoroughbredawards.co.uk.