Winners of the Stud and Stable Staff Awards next year will take home boosted winnings after the prize fund has nearly tripled.
A total of £120,000 will be awarded at the 2010 awards ceremony, well up from last year’s £45,000 fund.
The awards, which are sponsored by Goldophin, will take place on Monday 1 March.
Nominations for the six categories can be made between 4 January and 5 February 2010.
And this year anyone in racing can make a nomination. In the past nominations were only open to trainers, but now owners, trainers and colleagues may also put forward stud and stable staff for the awards, which organisers hope will boost nominations.
“Godolphin have always been extremely generous with their sponsorship and to have increased the prize-money to £120,000 shows just how highly they think of the awards,” said British Horseracing Authority director of communications Jon Ryan.
“A great deal of time and effort has been put into improving both the nomination and judging process and a number of industry figureheads have been consulted. Now it is up to everyone in the sport to ensure the record prize-money is matched with a record number of entries in 2010.”
The categories include:
David Nicholson newcomer — for those with less than 5 years within industry
Senior staff/high achiever — for those who have strived to progress their career within the industry
Rider/groom
Stud staff
Dedication to racing — more than 10 years in the industry
National Association of Stable Staff (NASS) special merit — nominated by NASS members, for a NASS member
Each winner will receive £5,000 for themselves and £5,000 for their yard. Runners up will win £2,000 and £2,000 for their yard, the exception being the NASS winner, who will receive prize-money for themselves but not for their yard as it is an award based on individual achievement.
All winners except for the newcomer award will then then go forward for the overall Stud and Stable Staff employee of the year award — winning a total of £25,000 to be split between winner and yard.
Nomination forms and entry criteria will be available for download from www.britishhorseracing.com/stablestaff
Forms will also be available via email, text or phone with the aim of making the nomination process as simple and effective as possible.
