The 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Finalists

Katherine McKee Administration Award sponsored by Keeneland

Finalists:

Isabel Escobar (Todd Pletcher Racing Stable)
Vicki Forbes (Thoroughbred Daily News)
Sandy Martin (Race Track Chaplaincy of America)

Runners-up: Lacey Coler (Barton Thoroughbreds), Lauren Monnet (National HBPA)

Support Services Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing

Finalists:

Lynne Hewlett (Hagyard Equine Medical Institute)
Robert Richardson (KatieRich Farms)
Nathan Stephens (Stephens Farrier Service, LLC)

Runners-up: Mary Perkins (Keeneland Association), Steve Peterman (Gulfstream Park)

Dedication to Breeding Award sponsored by Hallway Feeds

Finalists:

Sara Patterson (Cedar Run Farm)
Juan Piedra (Stone Bridge Farm)
Mario Ponce (Coolmore America)

Runners-up: Luis Sanchez (Kenneth McPeek Racing Stable), Alan Shell (Kenneth McPeek Racing Stable)

Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by National Thoroughbred Racing Association

Finalists:

Carlos Alarcon (D/M Racing Stables)
Jackie Dayutis (WinStar Farm)
Fiona Goodwin (Jena Antonucci)

Runners-up: Rafael Fernandez (Herringswell Stables), Lee Vickers (Miguel Clement Racing Stable)

Managerial, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

Finalists:

John Motaung (Sequel Bloodstock )
Jesus Pinales (Mulholland Springs)
Duane Reed (Coolmore America)

Runners-up: Kali Kleinfelt (Stone Bridge Farm), Edwyn Kiely (Hunter Valley Farm)

Newcomer Award, sponsored by NYRA Bets

Finalists:

Braden Heath (Three Chimneys Farm)
Kinnon LaRose (Tom Amoss)
Ivanna Rabii (WinStar Farm)

Runners-up: Madison Jackson (Churchill Downs), Maxine Pina (Taylor Made Sales Agency)

Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs

Finalists:

Peter Drumsta (Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program )
Nancy Turner (This Old Horse, Inc.)
CJ Wilson (Win Place Home)

Runners-up: Victoria Mangini (Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Assoc.), Caroline Tatum (Secretariat Center)

Dedication to Breeding Award,
sponsored by Hallway Feeds

An award to an individual who has worked a minimum of 10 years in the Thoroughbred breeding industry and shown consistency, reliability and a talent for Thoroughbred breeding horsemanship. Ideal candidates should be employed by a Thoroughbred breeding farm and/or work directly with Thoroughbred breeding horses. Must be a pivotal part of his or her employer’s success.

Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by National Thoroughbred Racing Association

An award to an individual who has worked a minimum of 10 years in the Thoroughbred racing industry and shown consistency, reliability, and a talent for Thoroughbred racing horsemanship. Ideal candidates should be employed by a Thoroughbred training or racing stable and/or work directly with Thoroughbred horses in training or racing. Must be a pivotal part of his or her employer’s success.

Managerial Award, sponsored by
Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

An award to an individual in a managerial or supervisory role in the Thoroughbred breeding industry, racing industry, or any supporting sector within the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. Ideal candidates should display exceptional leadership qualities, particularly in terms of motivating, mentoring and supporting colleagues in the workplace. They must also oversee at least two employees and have extensive work experience in the Thoroughbred industry.

Katherine McKee Administration Award, sponsored by Keeneland

An award to an individual who works in an administrative role in the Thoroughbred breeding industry, racing industry, or any supporting sector within the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. Ideal candidates’ day-to-day responsibilities should include keeping records, assisting with correspondence, making appointments, and overall supporting the running of the Thoroughbred business for which they work. Must be a pivotal part of his or her employer’s success.

Newcomer Award, sponsored by NYRA Bets

An award to an individual who has worked in any area of Thoroughbred breeding and/or racing for less than five years and shown commitment to – and ambition for – a career in the Thoroughbred industry, including a desire to improve and progress their skills and knowledge.

Support Services Award, sponsored by
1/ST Racing

An award to an individual who works in any non-administrative, support service role in the Thoroughbred
breeding industry, racing industry, or any supporting sector within the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. Ideal candidates would not necessarily be hands on horsemen, therefore would not qualify in the racing or breeding categories. Must be a pivotal part of his or her employer’s success.

Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs

This award recognizes those who have demonstrated an outstanding contribution to the Thoroughbred industry, and in particular, to the greater good of the sport. This could include those who support the breeding and racing staff or have made an outstanding contribution to the wider Thoroughbred community. Ideal candidates should work either for or with a charitable organization, or as part of the charitable arm of the Thoroughbred business for which they work. Nominees for this award do not need to be directly employed in the Thoroughbred industry.

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