France has become the latest racing jurisdiction to introduce the Godolphin Stud And Stable Staff Awards, already in place in England, Ireland, the United States and Australia, that recognise and reward the hard work and dedication of stud and stable staff.

There are six award categories, which carry a total prize-pool of €60,000 along with specially commissioned trophies for the winners. The awards offer both a trophy and a financial prize in each category and will not only reward the individual winners but the teams in their racing yards or stud farms.

Welcoming the initiative, president of France Galop, Edouard de Rothschild expressed his appreciation at the launch of the French awards, to be known as Trophées du personnel des courses et de l’élevage, in Deauville this week.

“I warmly welcome Godolphin’s initiative in encouraging French racing’s institutions to celebrate the teams that surround our racehorses,” said Rothschild.

“Racing would not exist without the work of those people who largely remain in the shadows”

The awards will be divided into categories covering stable, stud and transport staff, leadership, newcomers and an overall award for the Employee of the Year.

The 2016 Awards will also feature a Newcomer Award with the winner to receive a five-day educational trip to Dubai to learn more about the country’s racing, culture and custom, including return flights and five nights’ accommodation in a five-star hotel.

Godolphin’s strategic advisor on charitable projects, Diana Cooper, said: “These awards are the perfect opportunity to recognise and reward the teams in the racing and breeding industries and I strongly urge trainers, managers and colleagues to nominate anybody who they feel deserves recognition through the award of these prestigious trophies,” Cooper said.

Nominations open on August 19 and close on September 23 and can be made by anyone within the industry.

Fore more information, please visit http://www.tropheesdupersonnel.fr/