Award categories

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 22 February 2021. (e.g. Racing grooms, stud grooms, yard staff, work riders and administration staff).
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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 (*Dependent on travel restrictions due to COVID-19. If necessary, an educational trip to of some kind will be offered at Godolphin’s discretion). This prize 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 to confirm that this is the case.

Video – Kevin Skelton winner of the 2020 David Nicholson Newcomer award (Bryan Smart).

 

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)
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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 – Mat Nicholls winner of the 2020 Leadership award, (Kim Bailey).

 

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)
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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 – Hayley Ashcroft winner of the 2020 Rider/Racing Groom award (Tom Dascombe).

 

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).
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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 – James Frank winner of the 2020 Stud Staff award (Hascombe and Valiant 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.
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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 – Andrew Stringer winner of the 2020 Dedication award (John Gosden).

 

Community Award (In recognition of the wonderful work Rory MacDonald achieved at The British Racing School)

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 to horseracing, including auxiliary and administrative staff, who demonstrate the social responsibility and values of our sport. Nominees are selfless, passionate people, who go above and beyond their everyday roles or jobs to make a positive difference to the lives of people or racehorses within the industry, or to the communities within which racing operates.
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Qualities:

  • Selfless, charitable, and passionate
  • Anyone who volunteers or fundraises for the benefit of racing’s people or horses, or in support of racing’s local communities
  • Demonstrably goes above and beyond the requirements of their everyday role or job in ensuring that anyone connected with racing feels welcome, supported and appreciated
  • A champion of the values of our sport, who has made a positive difference to the lives of individuals, groups or local/diverse communities connected with 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 – Simone Sear winner of the 2020 Rory MacDonald Award (Racing Welfare).

 

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

Prizemoney – £10,000 to the winner, match funded with £10,000 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 Community Awards.
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Photo – James Frank 2020 Employee of the year.