Plunkett joins judging panel for Stud and Stable Staff awards

Broadcaster Alice Plunkett has been named as one of three new judges to form part of the panel of 12 for next year’s Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff awards.

Plunkett will be joined by fellow new judges Josh Apiafi, founder and director of Rewards4Racing.com, and Terry Doherty, manager of Watership Down Stud, who won the stud staff employee of the year award last year.

The awards, which are run by the BHA in association with the Racing Post, are also judged by Northern Racing College chief executive Dawn Goodfellow, former jump jockey Mark Bradburne and Perth chief executive Hazel Peplinski among others.

Plunkett said: “I’ve been hugely fortunate to see the hard work and dedication of stud and racing staff first hand throughout my career and I’m delighted to be on the judging panel for next year’s awards.

“You can’t overstate how much the racing and breeding industries rely on stud and stable staff and these awards are a great chance to say thank you and acknowledge all the work that goes on behind the scenes.”

The awards offer more than £125,000 in prize-money with up to £40,000 available to a single yard or stud, with seven weeks to go until nominations close on November 21.

Brough Scott, chairman of the judging panel, said: “The awards have not stopped growing in their 14 years so far and we have seen countless examples of the hard work and dedication that is required in a stud or racing yard. If you are a trainer, owner, manager or racing colleague I would urge you to nominate someone who deserves to be recognised.”

The prizes will be presented in front of an invited audience on February 19 at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge, London.

To nominate a candidate visit studandstablestaffawards.co.uk or racingpost.com.

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