The National Association of Stable Staff (NASS) has today announced that the winner of the NASS Special Merit Award 2012, to be presented at The Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, is Jerry Walsh, Travelling Head Lad for Paul Webber Racing.

Jerry has worked for more than 40 years within the racing industry, 30 years of which have been for the Webber family – first under the late John Webber and now for John’s son, Paul.

A former jockey himself, Jerry was originally based with Fergie Sutherland in County Cork, before coming to England in the 1970s to work at Jimmy Fitzgerald’s yard, and then Ken Bridgwater’s.

As well as clocking up miles all over the UK, Jerry has been responsible for travelling horses all over the world, always ensuring that they arrive in the peak of physical condition.

Jerry was chosen as the winner of this award by the NASS Executive, who felt that he is a great role model for stable staff, consistently going above and beyond expectations.

NASS Chief Executive, Jim Cornelius said of Jerry’s win:

“Jerry Walsh embodies all of the qualities that the winner of the NASS Special Merit Award requires. Having recently completed 30 years as Travelling Head Lad at Paul Webber’s yard, such solid commitment to racing deserves recognition. We were also impressed by his support for his work colleagues, and to NASS, in many different ways.”

Jerry will join the finalists of The Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel on Monday 27 February where he will be awarded a prize of £5,000 in special recognition of his solo work and a trophy to be presented by dual Champion Flat Jockey, Paul Hanagan.