Winners of the 2018 Irish Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards announced

Pat Farrell, Stud Groom at Moyglare Stud in Maynooth, County Kildare was announced as the Irish Racing Excellence Award winner, taking the top honour at the 2018 Irish Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, held at the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, County Meath on Monday, 21 May.

Pat, who also won the Dedication to Racing Award, was selected by the 12 members of the judging committee for the highest accolade from among eight individual category winners, who were also revealed at the awards ceremony. 

From County Kildare and known for his affinity with horses, Pat has worked for Moyglare Stud for the last 45 years, only 11 years less than the stud’s foundation. In that time, there is little of the people, land, bloodlines and success that Pat has not been part of. Pat has foaled, handled, broken or ridden some great horses in his long career, including all the Irish-bred Moyglare Group 1 winners.

A total of ten awards, worth €84,000, were presented by former All-Ireland footballer for Meath and RTÉ GAA analyst, Colm O’Rourke. Richard Forristal, Editor of the Racing Post in Ireland, acted as MC for the occasion. 

The 10 winners and runners-up for the 2018 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards are:

Irish Racing Excellence Award

Pat Farrell, Stud Groom, Moyglare Stud, County Kildare

Administration Award

Gillian Carey, Operations Manager, Fairyhouse Racecourse, County Meath

Runners-up: 

Denis Hickey, Racing Secretary, Ballydoyle, County Tipperary

Vicki McWey, Supervisor Registrations Department, Horse Racing Ireland, County Kildare

Newcomer Award

Georgie Benson, Stable Lass, Gordon Elliott, County Meath

Runners-up: 

Joanne Eaton, Stable Lass, Willie McCreery, County Kildare

Charlie Sweeney, Pupil Assistant/Second Head Lad, Eyrefield House Stud, County Kildare

Horse Care Award

Mary Nugent, Travelling Assistant, Gordon Elliott, County Meath

Runners-up: 

Emma Connolly, Travelling Head Lass / Assistant Trainer, Noel Meade, County Meath

Sinead O'Sullivan, Head Girl, John Murphy, County Cork

In The Saddle Award

James Rath, Head Lad, Liz Doyle, County Wexford

Runners-up: 

Audrey O'Neill, Exercise Rider & Groom, John Oxx, County Kildare

Josep Sans Sanchez, Head Man, PJ Prendergast, County Kildare

Travelling Head Person Award

Camilla Sharples, Travelling Head Girl, Gordon Elliott, County Meath

Runners-up: 

Tina Evans, Travelling Head Girl, Joseph O’Brien, County Kilkenny

Jason Forsyth, Travelling Head Person, John Oxx, County Kildare

Leads by Example Award

Stephen Thorne, Assistant Trainer, Adrian McGuinness, County Dublin

Runners-up: 

Tom Daly, Assistant Head Man, Dermot Weld, County Kildare

Valerie Keatley, Head Girl, Johnny Murtagh, County Kildare

Dedication to Racing and Breeding Award

Pat Farrell, Stud Groom, Moyglare Stud, County Kildare

Runners up: 

Eamonn Leigh, Headman, Jessica Harrington, County Kildare

Tommy Ryan, Head Lad, Edward O’Grady, County Tipperary

Racing and Breeding Support Services Award

Martin ‘Snowy’ Pearse, Facilities Manager, Punchestown Racecourse, County Kildare

Runners up:

Martin Leahy, Master Farrier, Bruff, County Limerick  

Sharon O'Regan, Head of Operations, Weatherbys Ireland GSB Ltd, County Kildare

Racecourse Award

Fairyhouse Racecourse, Ratoath, County Meath

Bernard Caldwell, Chairman of the Irish Stablestaff Association, said: “Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners and finalists. Stud and stable staff play a vital role in Irish racing and breeding so it’s great to see their skills and dedication rewarded. I would like to thank Godolphin for their extremely generous sponsorship, our media partners The Racing Post and Horse Racing Ireland who organised the entire event.” 

Diana Cooper, Strategic Advisor, Charities, for Godolphin, said: “Godolphin is honoured to sponsor the Irish Stud and Stable Staff Awards which this year received a record number of nominations.  The judging panel had a very difficult task in picking the category winners, each of which emerged from very strong fields.  Congratulations to all and thanks also to their colleagues who nominated them. Tonight's awards showcase the dedication and talent which make this a great industry.”