James Frank crowned Employee of the Year at Stud and Stable Staff Awards

James Frank from Hascombe and Valiant Stud was the headline winner at the 2020 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards on Monday night as he was named Employee of the Year.

Frank, who also won the Stud Staff Award, has worked in the racing and bloodstock industry for 17 years and took home £20,000 in prize-money, with the same amount shared between staff at the Newmarket stud.

Champion Flat jockey Oisin Murphy presented the Godolphin trophy to Frank alongside ITV Racing presenter Ed Chamberlin at the event hosted by the British Horseracing Authority.

Frank came to Britain from Zimbabwe in his 20s and his meticulous and sterling work has seen him involved in the early stages of the careers of several Flat stars including Arc hero Golden Horn and four-time Group 1 winner Cracksman.

Nick Rust, chief executive of the BHA, said: “For James to be named Employee of the Year when our sport employs thousands of people who work so hard to provide first-class care to our horses is a fantastic achievement.

“We’re grateful to all of the staff who work behind the scenes to ensure the horses who are bred for and take part in British racing are provided with exceptionally high levels of care.

“These awards are our opportunity to say thank you to all of them, on behalf of the sport and on behalf of our horses, and tonight’s winners and finalists are fine ambassadors for their profession.”

Nick Rust: 'These awards are our opportunity to say thank you to all stable and stud staff.'Credit: John Grossick

Brough Scott, who was honoured on the evening in his final year as chair of the judging panel after two decades, added: “The panel’s job was as tough as ever this year with some remarkable stories of commitment, hard work and dedication amongst this year’s finalists.

“However, we had to reach a final decision and James is a hugely deserving winner for his years of perseverance and outstanding service to the breeding industry."

A total of £128,000 in prize-money was awarded on the evening by sponsors Godolphin with Kevin Skelton, who works for Bryan Smart, winning the David Nicholson Newcomer Award and Mat Nicholls, assistant to Kim Bailey, landing the Leadership Award.

Mat Nicholls (near): assistant trainer to Kim Bailey won the Leadership AwardCredit: Ichiro Terashima

Hayley Ashcroft, who works for Tom Dascombe, was successful in the Rider/Groom category and Andy Stringer, who is employed by John Gosden and has worked in racing for 40 years, won the Dedication award at the ceremony at The Underglobe on London’s South Bank, while Simone Sear landed the Rory MacDonald Community Award for her work at Racing Welfare.

The award winners

Employee of the Year: James Frank - Hascombe and Valiant Stud

David Nicholson Newcomer Award: Kevin Skelton - Bryan Smart

Runners up: Charlotte Cotgrave – Mark Johnston, Bradley Harris – Andrew Balding

Leadership Award: Mat Nicholls - Kim Bailey

Runners up: Leanne Kershaw – Jedd O’Keeffe, James Savage – Sir Michael Stoute

Rider/Groom Award: Hayley Ashcroft - Tom Dascombe

Runners up: Shoab Patel – Stuart Williams, Kate McCormack – Paul Nicholls

Stud Staff Award: James Frank - Hascombe and Valiant Stud

Runners up: Paddy Meehan – The National Stud, Keith Warburton – Shade Oak Stud

Dedication to Racing Award: Andy Stringer - John Gosden

Runners up: Seanie Mulcaire – Philip Hobbs, Phil Wright – Harry Dunlop

Rory MacDonald Award: Simone Sear – Racing Welfare

Runners up: Eleanor Boden – Scottish Racing, Rachel ‘Chicky’ Oaksey – Injured Jockeys Fund

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