Doane wins TIEA Community Award

Linda Doane of The Healing Place in Louisville, Ky., has been named the winner of the Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, with Francisco Torres of the Backstretch Employee Service Team the runner-up for that honor, an awards committee announced as it also revealed finalists for the 2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards this week.

Doane will be recognized and winners in other categories named as an annual awards ceremony is hosted Oct. 17 by Keeneland.

The TIEA, held for the first time in America in 2016, has 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. Godolphin sponsors equivalent awards in Ireland, Australia, Great Britain, and France.

A shortlist judging panel determined this year's finalists and the Community Award winner in a meeting Aug. 1. A second and final stage of judging that includes in-person interviews with the finalists will take place Aug. 17.

Doane is the lifestyle program director at Churchill Downs for The healing Place, which provides food, shelter, clothing, and recovery services to those seeking help for addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. Detox and our long-term residential recovery program are offered at no cost to the client.

“The phrase that alcoholism and addiction are equal opportunity diseases is so true," Doane says in a description of services on the organization's website. "It’s not just in horse racing, but in all walks of life and all industries. For us in racing, we are lucky that Churchill Downs has partnered and bridged the gap to get help with experts in the community – The Healing Place.”

As the winner of the Community Award, Doane will receive a prize of $7,500, and an additional prize of $2,500 will be donated to the charity of her choice. Torres will receive $2,500 as the other finalist in this category.

The other TIEA finalists are:

* Katherine McKee Administration Award, sponsored by Keeneland: Kelly Danner (Churchill Downs), Samantha McGreevy (Taylor Made Sales Agency), Jamie Bradley (Asmussen Racing).

* Support Services Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing: Bill Vest (Churchill Downs), Tracy Attfield (TLore), Rita Cutler (NYRA)

* Dedication to Breeding Award, sponsored by Hallway Feeds: Jimmy Tate (WinStar Farm), Phillip Hampton (Godolphin), Rafael Zambrano (War Horse Place)

* Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by National Thoroughbred Racing Association: Laura Tilbury (Todd Pletcher), Kathy Sanchez (Tom Amoss), Moises Morales (Gustavo Delgado)

* Leadership Award, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute: Lorretta Lusteg (John C. Kimmel), Gene Guy (Glencrest Farm), Manuel Hernandez (Walmac Farm)

* Newcomer Award, sponsored by New York Racing Association: Deja Robinson (Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital), Sara Gordon (Thoroughbred Daily News), Dominick Merrit (Todd Pletcher).

The winners of the Administration, Dedication to Breeding, Dedication to Racing, Leadership, and Support Services Awards will receive a prize of $7,500, with an additional $1,000 to their farm, stable or organization, with two finalists receiving $2,500 each and $1,000 to their farm, stable or organization as well. For the first time in 2023, separate from the winners and two finalists, two runners-up will receive $2,000 each.

The winner of the Newcomer Award will receive $5,000 with $1,000 going to their farm, stable, or organization. Two finalists will receive $2,500 each, and separate from the winners and two finalists, two runners-up receive $1,000 each.