Following a record number of nominations for the 2016 awards, the shortlist of finalists for the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards have today been announced.
The 12-strong Panel have managed to finalise the 220-plus nominations down to just ten finalists in each of the six categories.
The second stage of judging will now get under way and the judges will be speaking to all the shortlisted nominees and considering the written nominations in order to narrow the candidates down to three finalists per category.
The third and final stage of judging will take place in London on Monday 22 February. All the finalists will be interviewed by the judges to decide the winners and runners-up in each category and these will be revealed by Clare Balding later that evening at the Awards Ceremony in London.
Brough Scott, Chairman of the Judging Panel said:
“Judging these awards is inspiring and I am honoured to be a part of it. Talking to the individuals on the shortlist gives me great admiration of racing staff and what it means to those who work closest to these wonderful horses. It is such a difficult task to pick just three finalists out of so many deserving nominations, inevitably we cause some disappointment but it’s worth noting that a number of the finalists have received previous nominations, which reflects the highly competitive nature of the Awards as well as the fact that perseverance does pay off.
“All of the judges would like to send their congratulations to all those people who have been both nominated and now shortlisted. They are recognised for all the hard work they put in and we would like to wish the best of luck to the 18 finalists. I hope everyone in racing will continue to welcome what these awards represent and show their support for them.”
The shortlists are:
David Nicholson Newcomer Award
| Nominees | Nominees yard |
| Callum Pittendreigh | Richard Fahey |
| Sophie Jarvis | Harry Fry |
| Lorna Towers | John Gosden |
| Lauren Lucas | Micky Hammond |
| Lester Futter | Sue Higgins |
| Harry Russell | Malcolm Jefferson |
| Rahul Kamble | Tom Dascombe |
| Ellie Farrell | Dianne Sayer |
| Laura Winstanley | Michael Stoute |
| Amber Mitchell | Ralph Beckett |
Leadership Award
| Nominees | Nominees yard |
| Keith Evans | Mick Channon |
| Amy Murphy | Luca Cumani |
| Phillip Machin | Brian Meehan |
| Stephen Radley | George Baker |
| Abi Harrison | Jane Chapple-Hyam |
| Gemma Hogg | Micky Hammond |
| Carol Burnett | Phillip Hobbs |
| Hayley Kelly | Mark Johnston |
| Matthew Howells | Alan King |
| Donna Hills | Paul Nicholls |
Dedication to Racing Award
| Nominees | Nominees yard |
| Samantha Dwan | Nigel Tinkler |
| Fran Whyte | Nick Alexander |
| Marie Murphy | Charlie Appleby |
| Angela Cheshire | Andrew Balding |
| Claire Goodenough | William Haggas |
| Robert Hempton | Richard Fahey |
| William Reddy | Eve Johnson Houghton |
| Ray Eyre | Darley (O’Rourke) |
| Jane Smith | John Ryan |
| Alfred Mills | Christopher Fairhurst |
Stud Staff Award
| Nominees | Nominees yard |
| Mark Zipfel | Shadwell (Cooper) |
| Sue Caldwell | Newsells Park (Dollar) |
| Stuart Thom | Lofts Hall (Lascelles) |
| Gillian Knight | Yorton Farm (Futter) |
| Jacques Prinsloo | Whitsbury Manor (Harper) |
| Susan Jannaway | North Farm (Muir) |
| Nicky Strippel | Beech Tree (Munnis) |
| Martin Redmond | Darley (O’Rourke) |
| Bob Whittington | Lavington Stud (Read) |
| Dan Matty | Overbury (Sweeting) |
Rider/Groom Award
| Nominees | Nominees yard |
| Christopher Ely | Tom Dascombe |
| Alyson Deniel | Richard Fahey |
| Emily Blood | Charlie Fellowes |
| David Williams | John Gosden |
| Becky Smith | Micky Hammond |
| Joy Morton | Kenny Johnson |
| Willie Ryan | Charlie Appleby |
| Suzie Young | Nick Williams |
| Jason Favell | William Haggas |
| Gary Milligan | Saeed Bin Suroor |
Rory MacDonald Community Award
| Nominees |
| Charlotte Wilson |
| Angela French |
| Richard Farquhar |
| Tim Adams |
| Norman Gundill |
| Raye Wilkinson |
| Mike Filby |
| Gail Turner |
| Lisa Delany |
| Helen Yeadon |
Notes to editors:
1. The Awards are generously sponsored by Godolphin and run by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in association with the Racing Post.
2. The winners of the Leadership, Rider Groom, Stud Staff and Dedication to Racing categories will receive a prize of £5,000 with an additional £5,000 also being awarded to the winner’s yard or stud. The two runners-up in these categories will win £2,000 each, with the same amount going to their year or stud.
The winner of the Rory MacDonald Community Award will receive a prize of £5,000 with an additional prize of £5,000 going to the charity of their choice. The two runners-up will win £2,000 each with the same amount going to their charity of choice.
The winner of the David Nicholson Newcomer Award will receive £2,000, with the same amount going to their yard or stud, while two runners-up will receive £1,000 each, with the same amount for their yard.
The Employee of the Year will receive an additional £15,000, with the same amount awarded to their yard or stud.
3. The Judging Panel is: Tabbi Smith, Sally Aston, Ian Balding, Mark Bradburne, Dale Gibson, Dawn Goodfellow, Matt Mancini, Jessica Fortt, George McGrath, Dinah Nicholson, Brough Scott (Chairman), Peter Scudamore.
