Winners Of The 2016 Irish Godolphin Stud And Stable Staff Awards Announced

James O'Neill, assistant trainer to John Oxx, has won the Irish Racing Excellence Award at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards. James, who was also the winner of the Dedication to Racing award, was selected by the judging panel from among five finalists who were all individual category winners.

The 12th running of the awards was held in the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, County Limerick on Tuesday, April 19. A total of ten awards were presented by RTÉ's Dáithí Ó Sé, who is a long-time racing fan and regular visitor to Irish racetracks. Jonathan Mullin, Irish Editor of the Racing Post, acted as MC for the occasion.

Among the attendees were Brian Kavanagh, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, John Ferguson, Chief Executive and Racing Manager of Godolphin, champion jockeys Ruby Walsh and Pat Smullen, champion amateur jockey Patrick Mullins, BoyleSports Irish Grand National-winning jockey, Ger Fox and trainers Noel Meade, John Oxx and John Kiely.

Bernard Caldwell, Chairman of the Irish Stable Staff Association, said: "Congratulations to all of this year's award winners. The Irish stud and stable staff play a vital role in Irish racing and breeding yards and it's great to see their skills and dedication rewarded. I would like to thank all of our partners and everyone who helped out organising this event."

Joe Osborne, Managing Director of Godolphin in Ireland, said: "The quality of nominations for this year's event was extraordinary and each of tonight's category winners has emerged from very strong fields. I congratulate them all and also thank their colleagues who nominated them and the judges who took on the difficult task of selecting the winners."

The full list of winners and runners-up is as follows:

Irish Racing Excellence Award
James O'Neill, Assistant Trainer, John Oxx

Leadership Award
Damien McGillick, Assistant Trainer, Noel Meade
(Runners-up: Sally Carroll, Student Liaison Officer, Irish National Stud and James Mahon, Head Stallion Man, Derrinstown Stud)

Head Lad/Girl or Travelling Head Lad/Girl
Dick Dowling, Head Lad, Willie Mullins
(Runners-up: Deirdre McCurtin, Head Girl, John Kiely and Deirdre Ryan, Head Girl, John Ryan)

Rider/Groom Award
Sonny Carey, Work Rider, Willie Mullins
(Runners-up: Jeff Byrne, Rider/Groom, Dermot Weld and Martin Deegan, Yard Manager/Groom, Ballydoyle)

Stud Employee Award
Nuala Healy, Manager, Ballincurrig House Stud
(Runners-up: Mick Conroy, Stud Groom/Head Lad, Eyrefield House Stud and Mick Ryan, Head Stud Groom/Yard Manager, Derrinstown Stud)

Administration Award
Martina Murphy-Dunne, Racing Secretary, Dermot Weld
(Runners-up: Pauline Byrne, Office Manager, Derrinstown Stud and Denis Hickey, Racing Secretary, Ballydoyle)

Dedication to Racing Award
James O'Neill, Assistant Trainer, John Oxx

Newcomer Award
Lorna Buggle, Head Girl, Dick Brabazon

Ancillary Services Award
Kathleen Hanratty, Grooms' Canteen, the Curragh Racecourse

Racecourse Award
Dundalk Stadium

The winners of the Leadership, Rider/Groom, Head Lad/Girl, Stud Employee and Administration awards received a trophy and €5,000 with an additional €4,000 for employees from the winner's yard, stud or company. The two runners-up in these categories each received €500.

James O'Neill, winner of the Irish Racing Excellence Award, received an additional €5,000 and €5,000 for employees in John Oxx's yard where he is Assistant Trainer.

The winners of the Racecourse Award, Newcomer Award, Ancillary Services Award and Dedication to Racing Award received a specially-commissioned trophy and €2,500.

This year, the Lifelong Learning Award was replaced by the Newcomer Award and a trip to Dubai was added to Lorna Buggle's prize in addition to the existing €2,500 cash prize and trophy.

The Irish Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, with a total prize-fund of €70,000,
were managed by Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Stable Staff Association (ISSA), in association with media partner the Racing Post.