Behind-the-scenes workers honored at TIEA program

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Individuals who care for Thoroughbreds, and for the people in the industry behind them, were honored at the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards the evening of Oct. 15 at Keeneland.

The TIEA program, which presents seven category awards to individuals providing crucial behind-the-scenes work at racetracks, farms, and other Thoroughbred industry outlets, was held for the first time in the United States in 2016. The awards have Godolphin as a principal sponsor, in association with The Jockey Club, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protection Association, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and the Breeders’ Cup; a number of other organizations support the awards, as category sponsors or as partners. Godolphin sponsors equivalent awards in Ireland, Australia, Great Britain, and France.

A passion for the Thoroughbred was a common sentiment expressed by award winners working directly with them.

“We’re all here because we love the horses,” said Cass Dewey, who founded her Desert Oasis Rescue for retired Thoroughbreds in Tucson, Ariz., in 2012. Dewey was honored with the Support Services Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing.

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Those who care for the people who work with the horses were honored as well. The Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award went to Nancy LaSala, president of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.

“Being a part of horse racing, we grow to love the sport, and the horses are the focal point, and they should be,” said LaSala, who has been with the PDJF since 2006. “But we also have our human athletes, who obviously do sustain injuries, and some of them catastrophic.”

The Katherine McKee Administration Award, sponsored by Keeneland, was presented to Lauren Marks, assistant director of sales for the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co., while the Managerial Award, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute went to Pleasant Acres Stallions director of stallion services Christine Jones.

The Dedication to Breeding Award, sponsored by Hallway Feeds, was presented to Steve Vargas, Bridlewood Farm broodmare manager. The Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by the NTRA, was presented to Milver Martinez of Brendan Walsh Racing. Martinez, a native of Guatemala, has worked his way up from a hotwalker to barn foreman.

“I am blessed,” Martinez said.

The Newcomer Award, sponsored by NYRA, went to Julianne Stowell, who works in client relations for Niall Brennan Stables. Stowell discovered her passion for Thoroughbreds through the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation’s Second Chances program at the Lowell Correctional Institution in Ocala, Fla., and has worked in the industry since her release.

“The TRF program changed my life and saved my life,” Stowell said.

The winners of the Administration, Dedication to Breeding, Dedication to Racing, Managerial, Community, and Support Services categories received a prize of $7,500, two other finalists receiving $3,500, and runners-up receiving $2,000 each. The winner of the Newcomer Award received $5,000, with other finalists receiving $2,500 each, and the runners-up $1,000 each.

The finalists and runners-up for the awards were determined by a shortlist judging panel that met in July. A second and final stage of judging, including in-person interviews with the finalists, took place this week.

“This is my fourth year on the judging panels, and each year, I am truly inspired and moved by the special individuals who sincerely care for our industry and our equine athletes,” racing writer Tom Law, the judging panel chair, said. “To all the finalists, as well as all of the nominees, please know that we appreciate you and what you do.”

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