Finalists for the 2017 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards announced

The finalists for five of the six prestigious Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards have been announced. The winner of the sixth category, The Thoroughbred Industry Community Award, is Leslie Janecka, Coordinator of the Kentucky Equine Management Internship program (KEMI).

The other finalists, along with Ms. Janecka, will be recognized at the awards ceremony luncheon.

With a total of 142 nominations, the shortlist judging panel of five  had the difficult task of selecting just three finalists in each category.

The second and final stage of judging will take place on October 12 with a separate judging panel deciding the winners in the five remaining categories. The winner of the Thoroughbred Industry Community Award has already been decided as one prize is awarded in that category. 

“I would like to express our thanks to Godolphin and Sheikh Mohammed for bringing these important awards to the United States,” said Reid McLellan, Executive Director of the Groom Elite Program and chairman of judging panels for the second year. It’s an honor certainly for me to be involved and I think I can speak on behalf of my fellow judges as I know they would agree with my sentiments, as well.”

McLellan went on to say, “I initially thought that having a year under our belts might make this year’s judging a bit easier in some respects but it certainly didn’t play out that way. We had 25 more nominations than last year, so all the categories were well represented with experienced and talented individuals. And although we narrowed the finalists down to three in each category, I would like to express that so many others were recognized by someone they work for or work with which demonstrates specifically the goal of these Awards; to recognize people who haven't received recognition in the past for the good work they do. Just the fact that they’ve been nominated shows that they are, in fact, being recognized.”  

Regarding the specific judging process, McLellan further stated, “We once again had our work cut out for us but I am proud to say that the diligence, thoughtfulness and mindfulness that was shown by the entire judging panel in selecting the finalists was extraordinary. I look forward to meeting all of the finalists during the interview process in October.”

The shortlist panel was comprised of: Chairman, Reid McLellan, PhD. Executive Director of Groom Elite Program; Daniel Fick, ROAP Accredited Senior Steward; Anna Seitz Ciannello, Client Development and Public Relations Manager, Fasig-Tipton; Todd Mostoller, Executive Director, Pennsylvania HBPA; and Stacie Clark, Operations Consultant, TAA.

The finalists are:

Leadership Award – Farm      

Clayton Murdock - Rancho San Miguel

Larry McGinnis - WinStar Farm

Aidan O'Meara - Hill N Dale Farm

Leadership Award – Racing    

Richard Budge - WinStar Farm

Christophe Lorieul - Christophe Clement

Hilary Pridham - Michael Stidham

Dedication to Breeding Award

Francisco (Pancho) Sanchez - Craig Wheeler Thoroughbreds

Ronda Clifton - WinStar Farm

Lugusta "Gus" Gray - Double Diamond Farm

Dedication to Racing Award   

Lena Lorieul - Claude R. McGaughey III

Manuel Osoria-Perez - Chris Stenslie

Raymond Davenport - Timothy L. Keefe

Newcomer Award                     

Emily Castrenze- Arnaud Delacour

Kristina Taylor - WinStar Farm

Jak Knelman - Calumet Farm

Thoroughbred Industry Community Award winner      

Leslie Janecka - Kentucky Equine Management Internship