Dedication to Breeding Award,
sponsored by Hallway Feeds
An award to an individual who has worked a minimum of 10 years in the Thoroughbred breeding industry and shown consistency, reliability and a talent for Thoroughbred breeding horsemanship. Ideal candidates should be employed by a Thoroughbred breeding farm and/or work directly with Thoroughbred breeding horses. Must be a pivotal part of his or her employer’s success.
Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by NTRA
An award to an individual who has worked a minimum of 10 years in the Thoroughbred racing industry and shown consistency, reliability, and a talent for Thoroughbred racing horsemanship. Ideal candidates should be employed by a Thoroughbred training or racing stable and/or work directly with Thoroughbred horses in training or racing. Must be a pivotal part of his or her employer’s success.
Leadership Award, sponsored by
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
An award to an individual in a managerial or supervisory role in the Thoroughbred breeding industry, racing industry, or any supporting sector within the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. Ideal candidates should display exceptional leadership qualities, particularly in terms of motivating, mentoring and supporting colleagues in the workplace. They must also oversee at least two employees and have extensive work experience in the Thoroughbred industry.
Katherine McKee Administration Award, sponsored by Keeneland
An award to an individual who works in an administrative role in the Thoroughbred breeding industry, racing industry, or any supporting sector within the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. Ideal candidates’ day-to-day responsibilities should include keeping records, assisting with correspondence, making appointments, and overall supporting the running of the Thoroughbred business for which they work. Must be a pivotal part of his or her employer’s success.
Newcomer Award, sponsored by NYRA
Support Services Award, sponsored by
1/ST Racing
An award to an individual who works in any non-administrative, support service role in the Thoroughbred
breeding industry, racing industry, or any supporting sector within the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. Ideal candidates would not necessarily be hands on horsemen, therefore would not qualify in the racing or breeding categories. Must be a pivotal part of his or her employer’s success.
Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs
This award recognizes those who have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the Thoroughbred industry, and in particular, to the greater good of the sport. This could include those who support the breeding and racing staff or have made an outstanding contribution to the wider Thoroughbred community. Ideal candidates should work either for or with a charitable organization, or as part of the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred business for which they work. Nominees for this award do not need to be directly employed in the Thoroughbred industry.
2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Finalists and Runners-up
The 2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards finalists are:
Katherine McKee Administration Award sponsored by Keeneland
Kelly Danner (Watch Video) |
Churchill Downs |
Samantha McGreevy (Watch Video) |
Taylor Made Sales Agency |
Jamie Bradley (Watch Video) |
Asmussen Racing |
Alternates
Gwenn Pierce |
WB Payson Park LLC |
Eleanor Poppe |
NY Race Track Chaplaincy |
Support Services Award sponsored by 1/ST Racing
Bill Vest (Watch Video) |
Churchill Downs |
Tracy Attfield (Watch Video) |
TLore |
Rita Cutler (Watch Video) |
NYRA |
Alternates
Raul Gutierrez |
Santa Anita Park |
Julie Adair |
Self |
Dedication to Breeding Award sponsored by Hallway Feeds
Jimmy Tate (Watch Now) |
Winstar Farm |
Phillip Hampton (Watch Now) |
Godolphin |
Rafael Zambrano (Watch Now) |
War Horse Place |
Alternates
Harmon Sullivan |
New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program |
Abel Garcia |
Four Pillars Holdings LLC |
Dedication to Racing Award sponsored by National Thoroughbred Racing Association
Laura Tilbury (Watch Now) |
Todd Pletcher |
Kathy Sanchez (Watch Now) |
Tom Amoss Racing Stable |
Myra Hall (Watch Now) |
Herringswell Stables |
Alternates
Moises Morales |
Gustavo Delgado |
Carlos Davila |
Craig Wheeler |
Leadership Award sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
Loretta Lusteg (Watch Now) |
John C. Kimmel |
Gene Guy (Watch Now) |
Glencrest Farm |
Manuel Hernandez (Watch Now) |
Walmac Farm, LLC |
Alternates
Juan Aguilar |
Indian Creek |
Christine Jones |
Pleasant Acres Stallions |
Newcomer Award sponsored by New York Racing Association
Deja Robinson (Watch Now) |
Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital |
Sara Gordon (Watch Now) |
Thoroughbred Daily News |
Dominick Merritt (Watch Now) |
Todd Pletcher |
Alternates
Adrianne Devaux |
Cherie Devaux Racing Stable |
Susan Kemper |
Coolmore America, Ashford Stud |
Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award sponsored by Churchill Downs
Winner |
Linda Doane, The Healing Place (Watch Now) |
Runner-up |
Francisco Barrera, Backstretch Employee Service Team (Watch Now) |
Alternates
Merlin Cano |
Backside Learning Center |
Diana Varon |
Keeneland |