GSSSA GB

David Nicholson Newcomer Award

£2,000 to winner, match funded with £2,000 to the winner’s yard/stud. £1,000 to both runners-up, with £1,000 awarded to each runners-up yard/stud. The winner of this category will also receive an educational trip to Dubai.

Eligibility: All stud and stable staff employees who have been employed in the industry for less than three years as of 24 February 2020. (e.g. Racing grooms, stud grooms, yard staff, work riders and administration staff).

Qualities:

• Desire to learn, improve and progress their skills and knowledge.
• Motivated and committed to become an integral part of the team and shown ambition for a career in the industry.
• Demonstrates commitment to care of the horse and developing their horsemanship skills.
• Excellent work ethic, team spirit and willingness to help.
• Has made a positive impact since their arrival.

The winner will also receive an additional prize of an educational trip to Dubai. This will include return Emirates economy class flights from London to Dubai together with five nights’ accommodation in a luxury hotel and an educational tour of Dubai. This prize is to be taken in February/March 2021 (exact dates will be confirmed by September 2020) and shall be conditional on additional terms and conditions which the winner will be notified of following the Awards ceremony. The winner must be a stud or stable employee at the time of travel, and must provide a letter from his/her employer prior to travel in January 2020 to confirm that this is the case.

Video – Sophy Scott winner of the 2019 David Nicholson Newcomer award (Johnson Racing).

Leadership Award

£5,000 to winner, match funded with £5,000 awarded to winner’s yard/stud. £2,000 to both runners-up, with £2,000 awarded to each runners-up yard/stud.

Eligibility: All stud and racing stable staff employees carrying out a leadership or supervisory role, managing two or more staff (e.g. head groom, travelling head person, stud manager/groom, office manager)

Qualities:

• Excellent leadership skills, committed to mentoring, motivating and supporting their colleagues.
• Takes a genuine interest in human and equine welfare and the development of less experienced members of the team.
• Leads by example in their conduct and demonstration of positive values and behaviours.
• Ensures the environment in which they work is inclusive – involving and empowering team members and demonstrating respect for the talents, beliefs, and ways of living of their team.

Video – Catriona Bissett winner of the 2019 Leadership award, (Nick Alexander).

Rider/Racing Groom Award

Prize money – £5,000 to the winner, £5,000 match funded to the winner’s yard. £2,000 awarded the two runners-up, with £2,000 awarded to each runners-up yard.

Eligibility: All stable and stud staff employees (e.g. work riders, Racing and Stud grooms)

Qualities:

• Excellent horsemanship.
• Team spirit, attention to detail and reliability.
• Prioritises equine welfare in everything they do.
• Contributes to the overall performance of the yard through their commitment in and out of the saddle.

Video – Stewart Gosnell winner of the 2019 Rider/Racing Groom award (Richard Hughes Racing).

Stud Staff Award

Prize money – £5,000 to the winner, £5,000 match funded to the winner’s stud. £2,000 awarded to both runners-up, and £2,000 awarded to each runners-up stud.

Eligibility: All stud staff employees (e.g. stud manager, stallion handler, stud groom, foaling specialist, stud secretary).

Qualities:

• Excellent horsemanship (if applicable).
• Team spirit, attention to detail and reliability.
• Prioritises equine welfare in everything they do.
• Positive contributor to the performance of the stud through their passion and dedication for the breeding industry.

Video – Andrew Snell winner of the 2019 Stud Staff award (Cheveley Park Stud).

Dedication Award

Prize money – £5,000 to the winner, with £5,000 match funded to the winner’s yard/stud. £2,000 awarded to both runners-up, and £2,000 to each runners-up yard/stud.

Eligibility: All stud and stable staff employees who have worked in the industry for more than 15 years including those in administrative and office roles.

Qualities:

• Dedication and passion for their job and the wider racing industry.
• Has developed a wealth of knowledge and experience that is of great benefit to their employer, team, horses and the industry as a whole.
• Loyalty, perseverance, commitment and continued passion.

Video – John Bottomley winner of the 2019 Dedication award (Ollie Pears Racing).

Rory MacDonald Award

Prize money – £5,000 to the winner, with £5,000 match funded to the charity of their choice. £2,000 awarded to both runners-up, and £2,000 awarded to the charities of their choice.

Eligibility: any individual connected directly or indirectly within horseracing, including auxiliary and administrative staff who has made an outstanding contribution to either the racehorses or to the lives of those working within the industry, or on racing’s behalf, in local communities showcasing the social responsibility of our sport, for either equine, humans or both.

Qualities:
• Charitable, selfless and passionate
• Anyone who works, volunteers or fundraises for the benefit of those working in the industry, particularly those in need of additional support or guidance
• Goes above and beyond the requirements of their job to ensure individuals and the racing community as a whole feel welcome, supported and valued
• A champion of the values of our sport who has positively impacted on the lives of individuals and/or local, diverse communities through the wider reach of racing

This award was introduced in 2016, in conjunction with Racing Welfare, and is named in memory of Rory MacDonald who was Chief Executive of the British Racing School for 22 years who worked tirelessly in the wider racing community.

Video – Andrea O’Keeffe winner of the 2019 Rory MacDonald Award (Jedd O’Keeffe Racing).

Employee of the Year Award – Revealed and announced on the night

Prizemoney – £15,000 to the winner, match funded with £15,000 to the winner’s yard/stud.

This award will be announced on the night, with the winners of each category being eligible, aside from the winners of the David Nicholson Newcomer or the Rory MacDonald Award’s.

Photo – Catriona Bissett 2019 Employee of the year.

Award categories

£2,000 to winner, match funded with £2,000 to the winner’s yard/stud. £1,000 to both runners-up, with £1,000 awarded to each runners-up yard/stud. The winner of this category will also receive an educational trip to Dubai.

£5,000 to winner, match funded with £5,000 awarded to winner’s yard/stud. £2,000 to both runners-up, with £2,000 awarded to each runners-up yard/stud.

Prize money – £5,000 to the winner, £5,000 match funded to the winner’s yard. £2,000 awarded the two runners-up, with £2,000 awarded to each runners-up yard.

Prize money – £5,000 to the winner, £5,000 match funded to the winner’s stud. £2,000 awarded to both runners-up, and £2,000 awarded to each runners-up stud.

Prize money – £5,000 to the winner, with £5,000 match funded to the winner’s yard/stud. £2,000 awarded to both runners-up, and £2,000 to each runners-up yard/stud.

Prize money – £5,000 to the winner, with £5,000 match funded to the charity of their choice. £2,000 awarded to both runners-up, and £2,000 awarded to the charities of their choice.

Prizemoney – £15,000 to the winner, match funded with £15,000 to the winner’s yard/stud.