Four people from Kilkenny and Carlow stables have been nominated as part of the 24 finalists announced for Irish Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards 2021.
We have two locals in the running for the “In The Saddle Award” with Ray Michael Cody, Head Lad at Ray P Cody in Kilkenny on the list as is Diarmuid Keeling, Exercise Rider & Groom for Willie Mullins in Carlow.
Then in the Leadership Award (Stable), Damien Byrne, Team Leader for Joseph O’Brien in Kilkenny is on the list.
And in the Horse Care Award, Jennifer Breslin, Assistant Broodmare Manager at Ballylinch Stud in Kilkenny is nominated.
The awards which take place on June 30th have representation from Carlow, Kerry, Kildare, Kilkenny, Limerick, Meath, Offaly, and Waterford.
The 24 finalists are short-listed for 8 of the 11 award categories from over 200 nominations received.
The awards will be broadcast on Racing TV at 11 am on Wednesday, June 30, where presenter and Editor of the Racing Post in Ireland, Richard Forristal along with Racing TV’s Fran Berry, will reveal the award winners.
The awards show will also be available to view on Godolphin’s and Horse Racing Ireland’s social media channels.
The finalists are:
Racing and Breeding Support Services Award
Cathy Healy, Office Manager, Healy Racing Photography, Co Kerry
Niall Kennedy, Owner Equestrian Laundry, Co Kildare
Helen O’Sullivan, Career Coach, Irish Jockeys’ Trust, Co Kildare
Administration Award
Aoife Hanratty, Stud Secretary, Oghill House Stud, Co Kildare
Anne O’Connor, Racing Secretary, Michael Halford, Co Kildare
Marie Rowley, Racing Secretary, Pat Flynn, Co Waterford
Newcomer Award
Nicholas Cope, Stud Groom, Ballyphilip Stud, Co Limerick
Keith Lynam, Stud Groom, Ringford Stud, Co Offaly
Kelly Rae, Groom, Sarah Lynam, Co Meath
Horse Care Award
Jennifer Breslin, Assistant Broodmare Manager, Ballylinch Stud, Co Kilkenny
George Dobbs, Stud Hand, Staffordstown Stud, Co Meath
Emmett Raher, Head Lad, Henry de Bromhead, Co Waterford
In The Saddle Award
Ray Michael Cody, Head Lad, Ray P Cody, Co Kilkenny
David Glennon, Stable Lad, Dermot Weld, Co Kildare
Diarmuid Keeling, Exercise Rider & Groom, Willie Mullins, Co Carlow
Leadership Award (Stud)
Brian Delahunt, Stud Groom, Baroda Stud, Co Kildare
Caroline Hannon, Manager, Newtown Stud, Co Kildare
Agathe Lebailly, Stud Groom, Kilfrush Stud, Co Limerick
Leadership Award (Stable)
Adrien Bolger, Yard Manager, Jessica Harrington, Co Kildare
Damien Byrne, Team Leader, Joseph O’Brien, Co Kilkenny
Valerie Keatley, Head Girl, Johnny Murtagh, Co Kildare
Dedication to Racing and Breeding Award
Ger Brabston, Horsebox Driver, Derrinstown Stud, Co Kildare
David Flynn, Travelling Head Lad, Michael Grassick, Co Kildare
Michael Lyons, Second Man, Mount Coote Stud, Co Limerick
The Racecourse Award is chosen by the Irish Stablestaff Association based on a quality programme survey with the purpose of setting quality standards for stable staff at all racecourses in Ireland.
The racecourse with the highest score will win the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Racecourse Award and will be announced at the awards.
The flagship award – The Irish Racing Excellence Award will be presented to one of the winners of the Administration, Horse Care, In the Saddle, Leadership (Stud), Leadership (Stable) and Dedication to Racing and Breeding Awards who is, in the opinion of the judging panel, the most deserving of recognition for their commitment, hard work, and ongoing contribution to the high standards and reputation of the Irish thoroughbred industry.
A Special Recognition Award will be revealed during the show.
The 11 award categories carry over €85,000 prize money which is divided among the winners, finalists, and their employers. The Newcomer Award winner will also receive a trip to Dubai.
The winner in each category will receive a specially commissioned trophy by sculptor Ani Mollereau.
To recognise the outstanding quality of shortlisted nominations who did not progress to the three finalists in their respective categories, Godolphin Stud, and Stable Staff Awards will make a gift of €100 to 56 nominees.
