'She shines here' - North Farm Stud's Dulcie West on top with Stud Staff award

Dulcie West, winner of the Stud category at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, has had to overcome adversity in the face of illness but her natural talent with horses has seen her come through and shine for North Farm Stud.

Having suffered a stroke around 2015, West's journey from working part-time to becoming pupil assistant at the Wantage stud has not been straightforward.

After a difficult time at school, West now thrives at an operation that offers breeding, foaling and other services to the thoroughbred industry alongside its HEROS programme which offers young people support for getting into the industry, including work experience for school leavers and other learning programmes.

West explained: "It hasn't quite sunk in yet! I started working at North Farm Stud in 2018 where I started on a Level 3 apprenticeship. I finished that about four months ago with a distinction when I was asked to be pupil assistant. I now help run the yard day-to-day and do lots of the retraining. I'm also hands on with the foaling and the mares."

On what she enjoys most about her new role, she added: "I definitely enjoy the retraining as the horses can turn their hands to anything, they come off the track and soon are ready for a new life."

West has also demonstrated the truth of the adage that life is what you make of it, showing remarkable resilience to overcome a stroke.

She continued: "I was able to hold the horse that day [out hunting] but ten days later I couldn't hold the same horse. We think it happened during that time period but couldn't pinpoint it completely. I've learnt to use my left hand in a different way to everyone else but it still works in that I can do everything anyone else can."

On what the future holds, West continued: "I'd love to continue what I'm doing now but I've also embarked on a Level 2 teaching course which I start in March. Hopefully I'll be able to do that and help out with the education programme at North Farm."

One person who has overseen West's progress is director and stud manager Grace Muir, and she offered plenty of praise for the resilient award winner.

"Dulcie went to Great Ormond Street and they never really came up with why it [the stroke] happened. We noticed she had a problem with her hand and that's when it was found she'd had a blood clot.

"It didn't stop her though, she does all the things with her hand that everybody does but in her own way. It was never a big thing as she just cracked on, everyone was shocked she'd suffered a stroke."

She continued: "I couldn't be without her, she's the most hardworking girl I've come across and she's got the work ethic that's needed. She came to our education programme because she wasn't academic at school and she shines in this environment. Her riding is second to none."

The other two finalists for the Stud Staff award were Chapel Stud's Richard Heayns-Corrick and Hascombe & Valiant Stud's Charlie Sipos.

Award winners

Employee of the Year - Paddy Trainor (Johnston Racing Ltd)

David Nicholson Newcomer - Elouise O’Hart (Ed Walker)

Leadership - Tom Messenger (Dan Skelton)

Rider/Groom - Paddy Trainor (Johnston Racing Ltd)

Stud Staff - Dulcie West (North Farm Stud)

Dedication - Alyson West (James Ferguson)

Community (in recognition of the wonderful work Rory MacDonald achieved at The British Racing School) - Freedom Zampaladus (Urban Equestrian Academy)

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