The 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Winners and Finalists
Katherine McKee Administration Award sponsored by Keeneland
Winner: Lauren Marks (Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company)
Finalists: Deeann Ruppert (Claiborne Farm), Tia Murphy (Turfway Park)
Runners-up: Gretchen Feld (Lane’s End Farm & David Ingordo), Tiffany Leggett (1/ST Racing)
Support Services Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing
Winner: Cass Dewey (Desert Oasis Rescue)
Finalists: Vicki Tomlinson (Churchill Downs), Keith and Joy Cooper (Cooper Horse Transport)
Runners-up: Justine “Tina” Elam (Hagyard Equine Medical InstituteCon), Kevin Moran (Keeneland Association)
Dedication to Breeding Award sponsored by Hallway Feeds
Winner: Steve Vargas (Bridlewood Farm)
Finalists: Francisco “Poncho” Sanchez (Craig Wheeler Thoroughbreds, Inc.), Sue Hooper (Havens Oaks Farm)
Runners-up: Abel Garibay (C&S Thoroughbreds), Christine Sgorrano (Sugar Plum Farm, LLC)
Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by the NTRA
Winner: Milver Martinez (Brendan Walsh Racing)
Finalists: Erma Lee Scott (William I. Mott Racing), Francisco D’Angelo (D’Angelo Racing Team)
Runners-up: Darquin “Darwin” Aguilar-Valenzuela (Brad H. Cox Racing Stables, LLC), Lee Vickers (Christophe Clement Racing Stable)
Managerial, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
Winner: Christine Jones (Pleasant Acres Stallions)
Finalists: Jack Sadler (Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners), Stuart Angus (Taylor Made Farm)
Runners-up: Lauren Eads (Watercress Farm), Debbie Ward (Safari North Farm)
Newcomer Award, sponsored by NYRA
Winner: Julianne Stowell (Niall Brennan Stables)
Finalists: Demetrio Rabadan (Christophe Clement Racing Stable), Katie Petrunyak (Thoroughbred Daily News)
Runners-up: Nicole Dreiling (Bel-Mar Farm), Ethan Fry (O’Sullivan Farms)
Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs
Winner: Nancy LaSala (PDJF)
Finalists: Bob Miller (Ocala Farm Ministry), Joel Helmburg (TRF at Blackburn Correctional Facility)
Runners-up: Melanie Case (Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy), Christian Countzler (Stable Recovery)
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.
Managerial 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.


