Terry Doherty picks up top prize at Stud and Stable Staff Awards

Terry Doherty of Watership Down Stud was crowned employee of the year at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards on Monday evening.In a ceremony held at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower in London, Doherty was presented withthe perpetual Godolphin Trophy by special guest presenter Freddy Tylicki alongside ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin and champion jump jockey Richard Johnson. Doherty, who has been stud manager of Watership Down for 24 years,was also presented with a cheque for the total of£40,000, of which £20,000 will be shared amongst the staff at the stud.Doherty was also the recipient of the stud staff award. Brough Scott, chairman of the judging panel, said:"The finalists were of a quite exceptional standard and it was really inspiring for the judges to hear their stories. "However, in the end, Terry emerged as a clear and very fine winner and I am sure he will be a great ambassador for the sport." Other award winners included Elisha Whittington from Tom Dascombe's Manor House Stables who took the David Nicholson newcomer award and Brian Meehan's assistant trainer Rory O'Dowd who took the Leadership award. Jamie Bunsell of Paul Henderson racing was successful in the Rider/Groom category while Colin Nutter, who is head lad to Sir Mark Prescott and has been at Heath House for 45 years, won the dedication to racing award. Also honoured was Sarah Monkman whose work raising the profile of Racing Welfare saw her land the Rory MacDonald community award.