• Prestigious event to be live streamed on www.studandstablestaffawards.co.uk and www.racingpost.com 
• The Racing Centre in Newmarket to host event for up to 150 people to watch the awards in a great atmosphere 

This year, for the very first time in Britain, the prestigious Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards ceremony will be streamed live. Live streaming of the 13th running of the awards will commence at 9pm on Monday 20th February, 2017.

The Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, generously sponsored by Godolphin, and run by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in association with the Racing Post, are going from strength to strength.  Over the last five years, they have received record nominations and due to their growing popularity the BHA has arranged to stream the awards live on the dedicated Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards website at www.studandstablestaffawards.co.uk and the website of media partner, the Racing Post at www.racingpost.com.

Nick Rust commented:  “Every year we look to improve the awards and reach a wider audience. Our aim is simply to ensure that the fantastic work that our stud and stable staff do in caring for our horses is recognised and appreciated much more widely. And of course, what better advertisement for racing as a great place to work and develop a career?”

“We are delighted we can use live streaming of the event this year to ensure that people who are unable to be there on the night can still share in this fantastic celebration.  We expect that live streaming will be especially attractive to yards and racing centres who are represented by finalists, but we welcome anyone who is interested in horses, racing or is in any way connected with our sport to view the broadcast.”

Also this year, with five finalists from the Newmarket area, The Racing Centre will be hosting an evening in support of the event.

Sean O Connor, Chief Executive of The Racing Centre added:

“The live streaming of the event will be a great asset to the awards. The Racing Centre is excited to host an event and welcome around 150 people in the Newmarket area to share in the celebration of the Godolphin Stud and Stable staff Awards. It is open to anyone keen on joining us so please do not hesitate to contact The Racing Centre for more information about the night.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The awards ceremony will be streamed live after the dinner at 9pm.  The categories are: Leadership Award, Dedication Award, Rider/Groom Award, Stud Staff Award, Rory MacDonald Community Award, David Nicholson Newcomer Award.

2. To contact The Racing Centre regarding the live event call 01638 662828 (website: http://theracingcentre.org/)

3. The winner of each of the first four categories will receive a prize of £5,000 with an additional £5,000 also being awarded to the winner’s yard or stud. Two runners-up in each of these categories will win £2,000 each, with the same amount going to their yard or stud.

The winner of the Rory MacDonald Community Award will receive £5,000, with the same going to a charity of their choice. The two runners-up will receive £2,000, with the same going to a charity of their 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 winner of this award will also receive an additional prize of a 5 day Educational trip to Dubai. Return flights and accommodation in a 5* hotel included.

The Awards will also recognise an Employee of the Year, who will be selected from the winners of the first four categories. That winner will receive an additional prize of £15,000, with the same amount going to their yard or stud.

4. Last year saw the launch of the ‘Rory MacDonald Community Award’, which will acknowledge those who support stud and stable staff or have made an outstanding contribution to benefit the wider racing community. The Awards provide an opportunity for the racing industry to highlight and thank the hard work put in by stud and stable staff across the country, and this award in particular acknowledges people who have had a positive impact on their community.