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Stud and Stable Staff Awards 2009
Peter Maughan, Travelling Head Lad for David Elsworth's yard in Newmarket, was named as Employee of the Year at the fifth annual Stud and Stable Staff Awards in London.

Peter Maughan

Grand National and Gold Cup winning Jockey Mick Fitzgerald, guest of honour and enjoying his second career as a broadcaster since his recent retirement from the saddle, presented Maughan with a cheque for £25,000 - £12,500 for Peter himself and £12,500 for his colleagues at Egerton House stables to share amongst themselves.

A specially invited audience of around 200 gathered to pay tribute to the leading stud and stable employees in the country, as nominated by their employers and peers. The Awards - the richest of their kind in the world, with £75,000 in prize money - are generously sponsored by Godolphin, and run by the British Horseracing Authority in association with the Racing Post.

Maughan, who has worked in racing for a staggering 56 years, was also the winner in the Senior Staff category. In his time he has travelled some of the greats, including two of the most popular horses in recent memory - Desert Orchid and Persian Punch - as well as the likes of In The Groove and Barnbrook Again.

Listen to Peter Maughan talk about his award.

Each individual category winner collected £3,000, with their colleagues at their respective stable or stud sharing £3,000 between them. The two runners-up in each category also received £2,000.

Racing legend Brough Scott, compere for the Awards, talks about a memorable day.

The full list of winners and runners up are as follows:

DAVID NICHOLSON NEWCOMER
Winner:
Lee Oswin, trainee Stable Lad with Gary Moore

Lee Oswin
Runners Up:
Ellie Church, Stable Lass with Marcus Tregoning
Matthew Hampton, Rider/Groom with Philip Hobbs

STUD STAFF
Winner:
Paul Baker, Stud Groom/Manager at Usk Valley Stud

Paul Baker
Runners Up:
Roisin Close, Stud Groom at Tweenhills Stud
Deborah Dodd, Secretary and Stud Stable Hand at Louella Stud

RIDER/GROOM
Winner:
Claire Knight, Rider/Groom with Jeremy Noseda
Claire Knight
Runners Up:
Hugh Fraser, Rider/Groom with John Berry
Mick Wilson, Stable Groom with William Haggas

SENIOR STAFF
Winner:
Peter Maughan, Travelling Head Lad with David Elsworth
Peter Maughan
Runners Up:
Albert 'Corky' Browne, Head Lad with Nicky Henderson
Jim Hiner, Secretary with Michael Jarvis

SPECIAL MERIT/HERO
Winner:
Andy Gibson, Yardman with Stuart Williams
Andy Gibson
Runners Up:
Sally Davies, General Assistant with Simon Dow
Ian Willows, Travelling Head Lad with Luca Cumani

The Awards were judged by a panel comprising celebrated author and journalist Brough Scott (Chairman); former Champion Jockey and PJA Industry Liaison Director Kevin Darley; BHA Director Morag Gray; Miles Littlewort, former Chief Executive of the National Stud; Training legend Toby Balding and Dinah Nicholson, wife of the late David Nicholson.

British Horseracing Authority Chief Executive Nic Coward said: "These inspiring Awards are an important date in the racing calendar as they provide a moment for the sport to celebrate those hard working, dedicated, talented people, without whom the show wouldn't get on the road.

"A huge thank you to Godolphin for continuing with their generous sponsorship. Congratulations to all of those nominated this year. The very high standard of entries never ceases to amaze the judges and this year was no exception."

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