Meet the unsung heroes taking centre stage at Monday night's awards

David Nicholson Newcomer

Ella Garland (Nick Gifford)

A recommendation from a friend saw Ella start working weekends at Nick Gifford’s yard during 2020 and, despite having no background in racing, she has quickly established herself as an important member of the team.

Ella has had a great impact on morale and spirit at the yard, not least with the cakes supplied marking her out as a baker of some repute.

She is also skilled on the back of a horse, with a calm and natural riding style that has seen her handle some of the trickier characters in the yard, and she now rides up to four lots a day without the need to have attended any organised riding lessons.

Elouise O'Hart's rise at Ed Walker's yard has shown the virtues of perseveranceCredit: Dan Abraham

Elouise O’Hart (Ed Walker)

The defining characteristic of Elouise’s young career has been perseverance. She is now assistant head girl to Ed Walker yet things weren’t going so well in February 2020 as she struggled to settle at the yard.

Elouise stuck at it and began to make rapid and remarkable progress, thriving in a role of significant responsibility. She has demonstrated an exemplary attitude towards the horses in her care and her colleagues, playing a key role in the social life of the stable as well as being diligent in her duties.

In nominating Elouise, Walker said he “cannot recall ever working with someone of 19 years of age that I trust wholeheartedly”.

Debbie Brodie worked in finance and as a trampolining coach before finding horsesCredit: Dan Abraham

Debbie Brodie (Dalham Hall Stud)

Debbie hardly followed a well-trodden path to get to the breeding industry, working in finance and then as a trampolining coach before making the switch to her current role as a junior stud hand at the age of 49.

With only a brief exposure to racing through her parents as a child, Debbie had never considered a career in racing until exposed to horses through her partner, enrolling on a National Stud course and graduating with flying colours before joining Godolphin in January 2021 as a student at Dalham Hall Stud.

In a short time, Debbie has made a huge impression on her colleagues with her quick progress, desire to learn and compassion for horses.

Leadership

Tim Hogg brings vast experience to Jedd O'Keeffe's yardCredit: Dan Abraham

Timothy Hogg (Jedd O’Keeffe)

Tim brought more than 30 years of experience to Jedd O’Keeffe six years ago, originally on maternity cover before being kept on permanently due to the expansion of the yard. That has been to the benefit of all who work with him, with colleagues benefiting from being around a man who leads by example with his outstanding work ethic.

Tim regularly goes above and beyond to ensure that the horses and his colleagues are happy, healthy and well cared for, even offering free training after qualifying as a Level 1 rider coach and supporting Owen Payton, Bailey Lewis and April Clarke to pass their jockey's licensing courses in the last five years.

Former jockey Tom Messenger is now Dan Skelton's right-hand manCredit: Dan Abraham

Tom Messenger (Dan Skelton)

Tom, who has been Dan Skelton’s right-hand man since his retirement from the saddle in 2016, has developed to become a key cog in a highly successful outfit.

He was instrumental in establishing both a system of staff appraisals and performance reviews in order to ensure that the staff are doing their very best and are happy in their work, and is always willing to mentor younger colleagues, utilising his excellent communication skills.

Jack Steels has been a constant support for boss Ed Walker through some tough timesCredit: Dan Abraham

Jack Steels (Ed Walker)

Jack goes back many years with Ed Walker, having first met in the employ of Luca Cumani in 2007, and that relationship has proven to be a vital one in the years that followed.

Walker’s training career has followed an unconventional path, having moved yards so often, but Jack has been a constant, providing invaluable support and security through some challenging times including a bereavement in the Walker family late in 2020.

He has held the team together and kept the show on the road, earning the respect and gratitude not only of the trainer and his colleagues but also the owners whose horses he has provided such excellent care for.

Rider/Groom

Paddy Trainor is a larger-than-life characterCredit: Dan Abraham

Paddy Trainor (Mark and Charlie Johnston)

Paddy has worked for Johnston Racing for 23 years and left an indelible mark on Britain’s winningmost operation.

Recently qualified as an Industry Coach, he works tirelessly to help those less experienced to develop their skills and improve their knowledge of horse welfare. He is a constant source of encouragement for younger members of staff and keeps up enthusiasm and morale with his larger-than-life character and outlook on life.

Despite his own learning and physical struggles, his dedication and work-rate never dip below 100 per cent and he is a vibrant presence around the yard, always with the goal of ensuring the horses and his colleagues are in the best possible place.

Christina Berry is indispensable to Grace HarrisCredit: Dan Abraham

Christina Berry (Grace Harris)

Christina’s time with Grace Harris started as a summer job in 2015 but her desire to learn, matched with her temperament and empathy for the horses, means things have lasted a little longer than that.

A regular winner of best-turned-out prizes, she represents the yard in the best possible light, not only demonstrating the excellent care afforded to her horses but showcasing her passion with her ebullient celebrations that have been caught on camera once or twice.

Racing as a whole has been the beneficiary of Christina’s decision to stick around after that first summer on the job and Harris says no-one could be as indispensable to a racing operation as her.

Long-time groom John Nicholson is now the best night feedman in the businessCredit: Dan Abraham

John Nicholson (Mark and Charlie Johnston)

Passion for horses defines John, the night feedman at Johnston Racing after an accident at the yard caused a shoulder injury that ended his time working as a groom, something he had done for more than 20 years.

Many would have left the industry at that point but instead John has swiftly built a reputation as the best night feedman in the business.

His dedication sees him work diligently every night, often working longer than called for to ensure equipment and the yard as a whole is in the best possible condition. His colleagues recognise the level of pride he demonstrates in every job, stemming from his love for horses and racing as a whole.

Stud Staff

Charlie Sipos has made huge sacrifices to succeedCredit: Dan Abraham

Charlie Sipos (Hascombe & Valiant Stud)

Charlie has forged a reputation as a vital member of the Hascombe & Valiant Stud team during his five years there and takes tremendous pride in the stud’s success, showing great patience in dealing with young stock before following their fortunes, often in person, on the racecourse.

He can also be found working hard at the sales, where he always excels, despite the sacrifices he has to make when it comes to spending time with his young family.

In nominating Charlie, his colleagues expressed their hope that he remains with the organisation for many years as, just like a great racehorse upon their retirement, he will be far from easy to replace.

Dulcie West has overcome adversity in heroic fashionCredit: Dan Abraham

Dulcie West (North Farm Stud)

Dulcie’s journey to become pupil assistant to North Farm Stud’s manager has been far from straightforward.

She finally achieved the grades she needed following a difficult time at school, only to suffer a stroke that impaired the use of her left hand. Nothing was going to hold her back, though, and her riding continued to improve to the high standard at which it is assessed today.

She plays a key role in running a yard of 100-120 horses, works to retrain and rehome the many ex-racehorses that pass through the stud and she is undertaking qualifications to enable her to do more work with special educational needs students. Few young people in the industry boast her commitment and drive.

Richard Heayns-Corrick has made a rapid impact at Chapel StudCredit: Dan Abraham

Richard Heayns-Corrick (Chapel Stud)

A recent addition to the team at Chapel Stud, Richard boasts a wealth of experience at home and abroad that has been evident to his colleagues during his first year.

He has outstanding people skills, always being approachable and willing to listen to others and his exemplary work ethic helps to motivate the team, all while creating a fun and happy workplace, bringing along cakes and running sweepstakes to keep up morale. His passion for the sport also drives his desire to maintain the highest standards.

In nominating Richard, Chapel Stud expressed their delight at his having taken on the important position of senior stud groom, a sentiment surely driven by more than simply good cakes!

Dedication

Vova Stepanyuk earns high praise from boss Nick GiffordCredit: Dan Abraham

Vova Stepanyuk (Nick Gifford)

Vova, who arrived in Britain from Ukraine in 2005, is now in his 14th year with Nick Gifford, who could hardly be more effusive in his praise.

He is now regarded as one of the most valued senior members of staff and demonstrates remarkable versatility, being able to ride anything, fix anything and undertake practically any task, all with a smile permanently affixed to his face.

His passion for horses stands out above all else and he is often to be found outside his normal hours maintaining the gallops. He also gives invaluable feedback to owners and people bring out the best in him, with his calmness and professionalism much appreciated when times get tough.

Alyson West has been a key figure in James Ferguson's flying startCredit: Dan Abraham

Alyson West (James Ferguson)

Alyson has been key in the early stages of James Ferguson’s career, which is hardly a surprise given her 30 years of experience at Sir Mark Prescott’s Heath House Stables.

Her first-class horsemanship and attention to detail set the standard to which all her colleagues must aspire, though it’s not all hard work as Ferguson says a yard celebration would not be the same without her dancing and hilarious sense of humour.

In nominating her for this award, Ferguson says Alyson’s contribution cannot be fully done justice on paper, but he has complete faith in her when she travels the yard’s horses and she has clearly made a vast contribution.

Simon Olley is a remarkably talented horsemanCredit: Dan Abraham

Simon Olley (Phil Kirby)

In 12 years at the right hand of trainer Phil Kirby, Simon has seen the yard grow in strength and has moved with his family from Castleton to Middleham and to Catterick, all with unquestioned loyalty and dedication to driving fortunes forward.

He is a horseman of remarkable talent and a leader of equal stature, his knowledge and experience of horses and the sport making him the perfect person to inspire and counsel less experienced colleagues.

He plays a huge role; whether he is harrowing the gallops, mucking out, breaking horses in or undertaking any other task, he performs it to the highest standards and sets the tone for those around him.

The Community Award

Andrew Braithwaite is no ordinary finance directorCredit: Dan Abraham

Andrew Braithwaite (British Racing School)

Andrew’s title of finance director doesn’t do justice to the breadth of his work at the British Racing School.

In 2020, he co-founded the Newmarket Pony Academy to provide access to ponies for local children whose families would be unable to fund the opportunity. It has been a huge success, its ability to change young lives exemplified in Harry Enright, whose passion for riding was recognised by Andrew immediately. Harry was born with one hand, so Andrew set about developing an attachment for his prosthesis, and Harry now works full time for Lawney Hill.

Andrew is also involved in the Riding A Dream Academy and developing the industry’s jockey coaching programme. This is no ordinary finance director.

Freedom Zampaladus makes a huge difference to people's lives with his Urban Equestrian AcademyCredit: Dan Abraham

Freedom Zampaladus (Urban Equestrian Academy)

Freedom’s life changed when at 14, having moved to the Caribbean, he was introduced to racehorses through his uncle’s yard. Returning to the UK aged 19, he became aware of the lack of accessibility to equestrianism for people from ethnic minority backgrounds and urban areas.

This led to him setting up the Urban Equestrian Academy in Leicester in 2015 and today the academy has more than 100 members weekly and a number of programmes including a bespoke programme for those with an interest in racing to go on to work in the industry.

He retains ambitious goals for the Academy and ultimately hopes to take out a training licence, developing jockeys while racing locally owned and bred horses.

Kevin and Pam Atkinson set a wonderful example in equine welfareCredit: Dan Abraham

Kevin & Pam Atkinson (New Beginnings)

Kevin and Pam gave up their previous careers to create the charity New Beginnings, providing a safe and supportive environment for many of the most vulnerable former racehorses to adapt and learn new skills after they have finished their first career in racing.

Engagement with the community is key for the charity, now in its 12th year. Among many initiatives, Kevin and Pam visit Yorkshire racecourses, taking former racehorses to meet the racing public, and they work with equine professionals to provide horses for teaching purposes, primarily veterinary, dental and physio students.

At a time when the welfare of horses is in the spotlight more than ever, the example of New Beginnings is one for all to follow.

The Godolphin Stud & Stable Awards get underway at 7.30pm on Monday night.

Read more ahead of the Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards:

Dawn Goodfellow: Shining a light on the backbone of our sport is my favourite job of the year

Alice Price: 'I got unseated and broke my leg - but I came back braver and stronger'

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