Winners of the 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards sponsored by Godolphin visited the Houses of Parliament earlier this week to celebrate their achievements and emphasise to politicians the significance of the British racing and breeding industry.

Award winners Tyla Macfarlane (Andrew Balding), Ivo Thomas (Tweenhills), Kelly Stevens (Littleton Stud) and Sally Lyons (Horse Welfare Board) joined representatives from Godolphin and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) at the Palace of Westminster.

Organised in conjunction with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Racing and Bloodstock, the visit included a guided tour of the historic parliamentary estate and a glimpse behind the scenes of the world-famous House of Commons chamber.

Following the tour, the group had the opportunity to meet parliamentarians from the House of Commons and House of Lords to discuss their roles and responsibilities with some of the country’s most influential decision-makers.

With MPs and Peers in attendance from across the political spectrum – including Nick Timothy MP, Kit Malthouse MP, Lee Dillon MP, Grahame Morris MP and Lord Risby – the award winners were able to showcase the role the industry plays in supporting jobs and livelihoods across the country.

BHA Director of Communications and Corporate Affairs Greg Swift said:

“The British racing and breeding industry is a national success story, supporting jobs throughout the country and driving economic investment within local communities.

“The visit to Parliament was a valuable opportunity for MPs and Peers to hear directly from those working at the heart of our sport about their passion for racing, our horses and our people. We are very grateful to the politicians for their time and support.

“It is vital that policymakers understand about how critical our yards, studs, businesses and organisations are to the economic, social and cultural success of our country – and our award winners are the perfect spokespeople to help convey this message.”

Commenting on the visit, Godolphin’s Diana Cooper, said:

“We are delighted that four of this year’s winners were able to represent the British racing and breeding industry in Westminster and speak so eloquently to parliamentarians about the care we all have for the wellbeing of our horses, people and local communities.

“Godolphin is very proud to sponsor the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards and having this opportunity to highlight the importance with which we respect this cohort to their MPs and Peers helps make the awards relevant all year long, not only the one wonderful evening in February. Thank you to our partners the BHA.”

Nominations for the 2026 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards sponsored by Godolphin close on Tuesday 4 November 2025.

With £128,500 in prize money to be won across six categories, the awards are an opportunity to recognise, reward and celebrate the hard work and dedication of people working in the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry.

The awards are open to anyone working in the racing yard and breeding operations in England, Scotland, and Wales, as well as those going above and beyond to support their local communities.

Nominations can be made by employers, colleagues or friends at: thoroughbredawards.co.uk