The British Horseracing Board today announces that Godolphin has extended its support of the Stud and Stable Staff Awards with a further three-year sponsorship deal and an increase in prize-money to £75,000 a year.
Godolphin, the international racing stable founded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has sponsored the Awards since their inception in 2005, with the BHB organising the Awards in conjunction with the Racing Post. The renewal of the sponsorship until 2010 reflects a continuing commitment to highlighting the contribution of stud and stable staff to the industry.
The new three-year sponsorship follows the success of the 2007 Stud and Stable Staff Awards, which had prize-money of £50,000, courtesy of Godolphin, and which saw Chris Hinson crowned an outstanding Stud and Stable Employee of the Year. Nominations for the 2008 Awards will open later in the year.
The Awards stem from the recommendations made in 2004 by the Donoughue Commission, focusing on the recruitment and retention of stable staff, and the subsequent work undertaken by the Stable and Stud Staff Steering Group.
BHB Chief Executive Nic Coward said: “I’m delighted that through the enormous generosity of Sheikh Mohammed and Godolphin, the Awards will continue to celebrate the work of stud and stable staff. In my first week as Chief Executive of the BHB I was lucky enough to be present at the 2007 Stud and Stable Staff Awards, an event which I found to be not only uplifting, but a great reflection of the racing industry at its best.”
Godolphin Racing Manager Simon Crisford said: “We are pleased to continue our association with these excellent awards. Sheikh Mohammed has always believed that it is important to recognise the huge contribution made day-in-day-out by stable staff. They are the backbone of our industry, and he has agreed to increase Godolphin’s annual contribution to the awards on the basis that, as before, all of the money will go to the award winners.”
Racing Post Editorial Director Brough Scott said: “This is really terrific news. Godolphin’s hugely generous three year commitment will take the awards to a new level of awareness both within the industry and without.”
Leading trainer Ed Dunlop said: “The Awards are enormously important to the whole industry and all stud and stable staff deserve recognition. Having won this year with my Head Lad Chris Hinson, we’re thrilled, and extremely grateful that Godolphin are continuing their support of the Awards.”
