2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards finalists and runners-up announced

The finalists and runners-up for the 2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards have been chosen in the seven categories for this year’s renewal of the annual awards now in their ninth year in the US.

The 2024 awards ceremony will once again be hosted by Keeneland and will take place on Tuesday, October 15th, in Lexington, Kentucky. Finalists and their guest will be provided with travel and accommodations for out-of-town finalists, a tour of a local horse farm, and the ceremony dinner with an afternoon of racing the following day at Keeneland. 

The shortlist judging panel, the first of two judging panels, met on Tuesday, July 30th, to determine the finalists that will make the trip to Kentucky as well as two runners-up in each of the categories. Their meeting was hosted by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York. The second and final stage of judging will take place on Tuesday, October 15th, when finalists will meet with the judges for in-person interviews.

Panel Chair Tom Law said, “As in past years, I can describe the 2024 intake of nominees in a word - “Wow!” To learn about the backgrounds of those that make our industry work is just so meaningful. Represented were backstretch workers, exercise riders, those in administrative roles, farm workers, those that donate their time to help in the equine community; the list goes on. They’re not the ones in front of the camera. They’re not the ones accepting trophies. They truly represent the backbone that makes our industry work. We owe them all a great debt of gratitude and the TIEAs are one meaningful way in which we can repay them for all that they do.”

I’d also like to express sincere thanks to the National HBPA, TOBA, The Jockey Club, Breeders’ Cup, and Godolphin, without whose underwriting and support these awards would not be possible. Also a heartfelt thanks to our media partners – The Thoroughbred Daily News, The Saratoga Special, BloodHorse Publications, Daily Racing Form, FanDuel, Real Players Inside the Backstretch, Paulick Report, Fox Sports, and America’s Day at the Races – for helping to spread the reach of the awards.

I would also like to thank our newest media partners who helped spread the TIEA message to the Spanish-speaking community this year: Roberto Rodriguez, Director of DRF en Espanol; and Carlos Morales, Producer and Host of Agentes 305.”
TIEA is also pleased to welcome back category sponsors Hallway Feeds, NTRA, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Keeneland, NYRA, Churchill Downs, and 1/ST Racing. 

The winners of the Katherine McKee Administration, Dedication to Breeding, Dedication to Racing, Managerial, Community, and Support Services Awards will receive a prize of $7,500, with two finalists receiving $3,500, and two runners-up, separate from the winners and two finalists, receiving $2,000 each. 

The winner of the Newcomer Award will receive $5000, with two finalists receiving $2,500 each, and separate from the winners and two finalists, two runners-up will receive $1,000 each. 

THE 2024 THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY AWARD FINALISTS AND RUNNERS-UP ARE:

Katherine McKee Administration Award, sponsored by Keeneland
Lauren Marks (Ocala Breeders' Sales Company)
Tia Murphy (Turfway Park)
Deeann Ruppert (Claiborne Farm)

Runners-up
Gretchen Feld (Lane’s End Farm & David Ingordo)
Tiffany Leggett (1/ST Racing)

Support Services Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing
Keith and Joy Cooper (Cooper Horse Transport)
Cass Dewey (Desert Oasis Rescue)
Vicki Tomlinson (Churchill Downs)

Runners-up
Justine “Tina” Elam (Hagyard Equine Medical Institute)
Kevin Moran (Keeneland Association)

Dedication to Breeding Award, sponsored by Hallway Feeds
Sue Hooper (Havens Oaks Farm)
Francisco "Poncho" Sanchez (Craig Wheeler Thoroughbreds, Inc.)
Steve Vargas (Bridlewood Farm)

Runners-up
Abel Garibay (C&S Thoroughbreds)
Christine Sgorrano (Sugar Plum Farm, LLC)

Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by National Thoroughbred Racing Association
Francisco D’Angelo (D’Angelo Racing Team)
Milver Martinez (Brendan Walsh Racing)
Erma Lee Scott (William I. Mott Racing)

Runners-up
Darquin “Darwin” Aguilar-Valenzuela (Brad H. Cox Racing Stables, LLC)
Lee Vickers (Christophe Clement Racing Stable)

Managerial Award, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute 
Stuart Angus (Taylor Made Farm)
Christine Jones (Pleasant Acres Stallions)
Jack Sadler (Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners)

Runners-up
Lauren Eads (Watercress Farm)
Debbie Ward (Safari North Farm)

Newcomer Award, sponsored by New York Racing Association
Katie Petrunyak (Thoroughbred Daily News)
Demetrio Rabadan (Christophe Clement Racing Stable)
Julianne Stowell (Niall Brennan Stables)

Runners-up
Nicole Dreiling (Bel-Mar Farm)
Ethan Fry (O’Sullivan Farms)

Dr. J. David "Doc" Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs
Joel Helmburg (TRF at Blackburn Correctional Facility)
Bob Miller (Ocala Farm Ministry)
Nancy LaSala (PDJF)

Runners-up
Melanie Case (Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy)
Christian Countzler (Stable Recovery)

For more information, please contact:
Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards
info@tiea.org
(859) 977-4655