New Award for Horse Racing's Top Employees
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Godolphin announced May 3 the launch of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, in partnership with the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and The Jockey Club.
The awards are open to anyone working in horse racing and breeding across the U.S. They will recognize and reward the dedicated, hard-working people who are the backbone of the industry and play an invaluable role in caring for our equine athletes, Godolphin said in a release.
"His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin are proud and honored to be able to launch the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards in America," said Godolphin chief executive and racing manager John Ferguson. "We speak of our equine athletes at length but it is also important to ensure that those individuals who make up the fabric of the sport and work tirelessly behind the scenes get the merit they deserve. We look forward to watching this initiative become a significant event in the racing and breeding calendar this year and in the years to come."
Trainers Kiaran McLaughlin and Bob Baffert, owners Maggi Moss and Sol Kumin, breeder and owner John Phillips, Hall of Fame jockey Chris McCarron and former jockey and broadcast racing analyst Donna Brothers, have agreed to take on ambassadorial roles in support of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards.
The awards ceremony will be held on opening day of Keeneland's fall meet, Oct. 7, with recognition given to 13 individuals in five different categories: Leadership Award (Farm), Leadership Award (Racing), Dedication to Breeding Award, Dedication to Racing Award, and a Thoroughbred Industry Community Award.
In addition to a commemorative trophy for the winners, three individual awards in each category will be distributed for first place ($10,000), second place ($2,500), and third place ($2,500) in the first four categories respectively, with a single first-place award given in the fifth. On top of this, farm and racing employees associated with each award recipient will receive monetary recognition. Total prize money for the five awards will be $115,000.
The nominating process for the awards will open Monday, May 9 and close Monday, Aug. 1. For more information and to nominate beginning Monday, May 9, go to the website at www.godolphinUSawards.com.