Irish Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards to be shown on Racing TV

Twenty-four finalists, shortlisted for eight of the 11 award categories in the 2021 Irish Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, have been announced for the prestigious competition that will be broadcast on Racing TV at 11am on Wednesday June 30.

The winners will be announced on the show by Racing TV's Fran Berry and the Racing Post's Editor in Ireland, Richard Forristal.

The awards show will also be available to view on Godolphin’s and Horse Racing Ireland’s social media channels.

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

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

Nicholas Cope, Stud Groom, Ballyphilip Stud, Co Limerick Keith Lynam, Stud Groom, Ringford Stud, Co Offaly Kelly Rae, Groom, Sarah Lynam, Co Meath

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

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

Brian Delahunt, Stud Groom, Baroda Stud, Co Kildare Caroline Hannon, Manager, Newtown Stud, Co Kildare Agathe Lebailly, Stud Groom, Kilfrush Stud, Co Limerick

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

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 also be revealed during the show.

The 11 award categories carry over €85,000 prizemoney 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.

Joe Osborne, Managing Director, Godolphin Ireland, said: “All of us at Godolphin are proud to continue our association with these awards which have great support from the Irish racing and breeding sectors and from our fellow sponsors. Racing TV deserves particular mention for their involvement this year - it will be a “must watch” show on June 30 with an exceptional group of finalists.”

Michael O’Rourke, Chairman of the judging committee, said: “The level of skill and dedication demonstrated in all the nomination forms was remarkable and shows why Ireland is a global leader in breeding and racing.

"Thanks must go to Godolphin for their wonderful sponsorship, all those who nominated their colleagues and friends and to the judging committee who volunteered their time and had a very difficult task choosing the finalists and winners. It will be very fitting to see such skill and dedication showcased on Racing TV on June 30.”