'I'm 51 years in the one job' - winners celebrate as stable staff are rewarded

Brian Delahunt is said to be one of the hardest workers you could find anywhere, yet he says he doesn't have a job at all.

"It's not a job," says the groom from Baroda Stud, one of nine winners at the Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards which have been announced ahead of the ceremony at the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge next Tuesday night.

Explaining what he meant, Delahunt says: "When you enjoy what you do you never even think of it as a job. And, I love what I do. I get such a buzz being with animals."

When asked what the best thing about his job was, Delahunt replies: "When you see a horse recover from sickness and injury. When a horse is not well or injured it hurts. It really hurts. Then when you see them return to the full of their health it's such a relief. That's definitely the best part of the job."

That deep love for horses shines through with each and every one of the award winners. They care about what they do and wouldn't dream about doing anything else.

Edward Farrell has never actually done anything else. The groom from Lisieux Stud has spent the last 51 years doing exactly the same thing and he wouldn't change a thing. At 65, he thought his chance of picking up one of these awards had long gone.

Farrell was nominated for an award back in 2019 but, after being placed there, he has found his way to the winner's enclosure and deservedly so.

"I can't believe it. You think at my stage in life things like this had passed me by," says Farrell, who seemed genuinely shocked to be one of the recipients.

He adds: "I'm 51 years in the one job. I left school when I was 14 and have been here ever since. Back when I was a teenager and you lived near the Curragh, you had two choices – join the army or work with horses. I chose to work with horses and I've been here ever since. When I was 13 I brought a yearling to Newmarket and I suppose I've had the bug from a very young age. I still can't believe I've won an award."

Stephanie McGinley, a native of Leitrim now living in Longwood, could not believe she was nominated, never mind successful.

The groom from Boardsmill Stud says: "It was nice to be even nominated, I was so surprised I was, but to actually win the bloody thing is unbelievable. I have never won anything in my life so this is a first. The best thing about the job is probably working with young stock and getting them ready for the sales and then seeing what they go on to achieve after they are sold."

And the worst? "Oh, the weather, definitely the weather."

Tom Agar, senior groom at Jim Bolger's yard, pictured with Mac SwineyCredit: Patrick McCann

The weather is a bit different in Ireland to Pakistan but that hasn't stopped Imran Haider from spending the last 19 years working for Willie Mullins and nobody could begrudge him his moment in the spotlight either. He has been an invaluable member of the hugely successful Closutton team since his arrival.

Haider says: "I've been with Willie [Mullins] for 19 years now. Hedgehunter and Florida Pearl were the main horses around here when I arrived."

And the best horse he has looked after? "That would have been Al Boum Photo before he retired and now Energumene. He's brilliant."

Much has been made of the way stable staff have been treated at Irish courses over the last few months and some even went on strike for a while at Kilbeggan during the summer because there was no complimentary water on a scorching hot evening. Killarney, too, has come under intense scrutiny for the conditions of their canteen.

But there are also tracks like Downpatrick which treat stable staff the way they should be treated – with respect – and it was no surprise to anybody that the County Down venue was the winner of the Racecourse award.

Downpatrick's Richard Lyttle says: "One of the things we take most seriously are stable staff. We understand and accept the fact they have travelled far and wide and have been on the road for a long time before they get to us.

"For that reason we have complimentary food all day long. They can go up several times throughout the day if they so wish without needing any vouchers or anything like that. It's all free."

Wouldn't it be lovely if others had a similar philosophy.

Downpatrick was chosen by the Irish Stable Staff Association based on a quality programme evaluation covering a wide range of criteria relating to facilities for stable employees with the purpose of setting quality standards at all courses in Ireland.

Downpatrick will receive €2,500 to be spent on upgrading facilities that will benefit stable employees along with an Ani Mollereau trophy.

Each Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee award winner will receive a specially commissioned trophy and €4,000. An additional €2,500 will be awarded to their employers to be used for the benefit of each winner’s colleagues.

The flagship award – the Irish Racing Excellence award – will be announced on the night at the Keadeen Hotel where the winner will receive an additional €5,000 and €2,500 for their employer to be used for the benefit of their work colleagues.

Joe Osborne, managing director of the sponsors Godolphin Ireland, said: "All of us at Godolphin are proud to continue our sponsorship of these awards. The revised format and rebranding have been well received and the high standard of the award winners confirms the level of excellence, commitment and enthusiasm which combine to deliver success for Irish thoroughbred breeding and racing."

Michael O’Rourke, chairman of the judging committee, said the standard of the nominations has never been better.

He said: "The quality and range of nominations for these awards improves every year and it is a testament to the continuing vitality of the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry in Ireland.

"My thanks to all the judges for the time they have invested in making this year's format work so well. Godolphin’s continuing sponsorship of the awards gives us confidence these awards will continue to inspire and reward the people who keep this wonderful industry in world-beating condition."

Hear, hear. There is no group of people who deserve to be rewarded more.

The 2022 Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Award winners

Tom AgarSenior Groom, Jim Bolger, Co Kilkenny
Brian DelahuntStud Groom, Baroda Stud, Co Kildare
Edward FarrellStud Groom, Lisieux Stud, Co Kildare
Imran Haider Barn Manager & Work Rider, Willie Mullins, Co Carlow
Tommy HayesYard Manager, Goffs, Co Kildare
Denis Lawlor Stud Groom, Ballyphilip Stud, Co Limerick
Stephanie McGinley Stud Groom, Boardsmill Stud, Co Meath
Sinead O’SullivanTravelling Head Groom, John J Murphy, Co Cork
Downpatrick Racecourse of the Year

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