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 NTRA

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.

Leadership 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

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.

Our Media Partners

2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Finalists and Runners-up

The 2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards finalists are:

Katherine McKee Administration Award sponsored by Keeneland

Kelly Danner (Watch Video)

Churchill Downs

Samantha McGreevy (Watch Video)

Taylor Made Sales Agency

Jamie Bradley (Watch Video)

Asmussen Racing

Alternates

Gwenn Pierce

WB Payson Park LLC

Eleanor Poppe

NY Race Track Chaplaincy

Support Services Award sponsored by 1/ST Racing

Bill Vest (Watch Video)

Churchill Downs

Tracy Attfield (Watch Video)

TLore

Rita Cutler (Watch Video)

NYRA

Alternates

Raul Gutierrez

Santa Anita Park

Julie Adair

Self

Dedication to Breeding Award sponsored by Hallway Feeds

Jimmy Tate (Watch Now)

Winstar Farm

Phillip Hampton (Watch Now)

Godolphin

Rafael Zambrano (Watch Now)

War Horse Place

Alternates

Harmon Sullivan

New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program

Abel Garcia

Four Pillars Holdings LLC

Dedication to Racing Award sponsored by National Thoroughbred Racing Association

Laura Tilbury (Watch Now)

Todd Pletcher

Kathy Sanchez (Watch Now)

Tom Amoss Racing Stable

Myra Hall (Watch Now)

Herringswell Stables

Alternates

Moises Morales

Gustavo Delgado

Carlos Davila

Craig Wheeler

Leadership Award sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

Loretta Lusteg (Watch Now)

John C. Kimmel

Gene Guy (Watch Now)

Glencrest Farm

Manuel Hernandez (Watch Now)

Walmac Farm, LLC

Alternates

Juan Aguilar

Indian Creek

Christine Jones

Pleasant Acres Stallions

Newcomer Award sponsored by New York Racing Association

Deja Robinson (Watch Now)

Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital

Sara Gordon (Watch Now)

Thoroughbred Daily News

Dominick Merritt (Watch Now)

Todd Pletcher

Alternates

Adrianne Devaux

Cherie Devaux Racing Stable

Susan Kemper

Coolmore America, Ashford Stud

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

Winner

Linda Doane, The Healing Place (Watch Now)

Runner-up

Francisco Barrera, Backstretch Employee Service Team (Watch Now)

Alternates

Merlin Cano

Backside Learning Center

Diana Varon

Keeneland