Chris Hinson, Head Lad at Ed Dunlop’s stable in Newmarket, was today named as Stable Employee of the Year at the third annual Stud and Stable Staff Awards in London. Guest of honour Sir Peter O’Sullevan presented Hinson with a £10,000 cheque for the overall prize, with the same amount to be shared amongst his colleagues.
Over 150 people drawn from across the Racing and Breeding industry and beyond gathered to give special recognition to the leading stable and stud employees in the country. Godolphin contribute £50,000 in prize money to the Awards – making them the richest of their kind in the world – which are organised by the British Horseracing Board in association with the Racing Post.
Hinson was selected as Stable Employee of the Year after an extensive nomination and judging process, which also saw him collect the Senior Staff Award. He has spent over 44 years working in racing, including the last 17 years with Ed Dunlop, where in recent years he was responsible for riding the outstanding racemare Ouija Board in all her work, and accompanying her to all her races across the globe.
Also on the day, Dinah Nicholson presented the David Nicholson Newcomer Award – named in memory of her late husband – to Charlotte Ramage, a rider/groom with David Barron.
Each individual category winner collected £2,500, with their colleagues at their respective stable or stud also sharing £1,000 between them. The two runners-up in each category also received £1,000.
The full list of winners was as follows:
David Nicholson Newcomer – Charlotte Ramage – Rider/Groom with David Barron
Stud Staff – Stephen Lomas – Stallion Man at Sandley Stud
Rider/Groom – Joseph Crayton – Rider/Groom with Paul Cole
Senior Staff – Chris Hinson – Head Lad with Ed Dunlop
Special Merit/Hero – Sira Hornsby – Rider/Groom with Jeremy Noseda
The Awards were judged by a panel comprising Racing Post Editorial Director Brough Scott (Chairman); Michael Caulfield, Sports Psychologist; Richard Dunwoody, former Champion Jockey; Jim Gale, Chief Executive of the South Yorkshire Training Trust; Dinah Nicholson, BHB Bloodstock Representative; and Gavin Pritchard-Gordon, Executive Director of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
BHB Acting Chief Executive Chris Brand said: “Today’s shortlisted individuals have been behind the successes of some truly outstanding horses over the years, and any one of them would have been a worthy winner of the overall prize.
“Racing has some of its real stars within the stud and stable staff community and, whilst the sport as a whole must strive to improve matters relating to their employment, welfare and career development, it is also vital that days like today continue to celebrate the dedication and enthusiasm that they show to their work.”
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