Warren Greatrex and Jedd O'Keeffe among those nominated for Lycetts award

The National Trainers Federation has announced shortlists for the 2019 Lycetts Team Champion Award, a scheme celebrating racing yards that develop a strong team ethos through high standards of staff management.

The award is divided into two categories, one for yards with more than 40 horses and one for those with fewer than 40.

Andrew Balding, Tom Dascombe, Warren Greatrex and Richard Hughes have been nominated for the former, while Nick Alexander, Dan Kubler, Jedd O'Keeffe and Richard Phillips make up the shortlist for the latter.

Yogi Breisner, chairman of the judging panel, said: "It has been a real pleasure to be involved with the Lycetts Team Champion Award again, it’s great to see the progress from last year, and also some very exciting new applications."

Jedd O'Keeffe (left): made the shortlist for smaller yardsCredit: JOHN GROSSICK (racingpost.com/photos)

The nominated yards that reach a sufficient number of points earn star ratings, ranging from one (good team ethos and staff engagement) to three (excellent). The winners will be announced on February 28 next year in a ceremony at the Institute of Directors.

NTF chief executive Rupert Arnold said: "We would like to thank the yards who all put considerable effort into their nominations. It shows that even at this very busy time of year, trainers and staff are keen to publicise how they are adopting best practice and pulling together to promote staff retention."

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