Five receive Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards

Winners of the second annual North American edition of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, honoring behind-the-scenes players in Thoroughbred racing and breeding, were honored Friday morning in a ceremony at Keeneland.

The awards are sponsored by Godolphin, in partnership with the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and The Jockey Club. A judging panel of five selected three finalists for five awards from a total of 142 nominations. A second stage of judging took place Oct. 12, with a separate panel deciding the winners.

WinStar Farm stallion manager Larry McGinnis and Christophe Lorieul, an assistant to trainer Christophe Clement, were presented with leadership awards in farm and racing stable categories, respectively. The dedication to breeding award was presented to Lugusta "Gus" Gray, yearling manager of Double Diamond Farm in Florida; the award in the racing category went to Arturo Ramirez, assistant to David Donk.

Each of those four award winners received a prize of $10,000 with an additional $5,000 awarded to their farm or stable. The two runners-up in those categories won $2,500 each, with the same amount going to their farm or stable.

The winner of the inaugural "newcomer award" was Jak Knelman, director of stallion sales at Calumet Farm. For his award, he won a purse of $5,000, plus an all-expenses paid trip to Dubai, with $2,000 going to Calumet. Two other finalists for the award will receive $2,000, with $1,000 going to their farm or stable.

Leslie Janecka, coordinator of the Kentucky Equine Management Internship program, had previously been announced as the winner of the Community Award. She will receive a prize of $10,000 with an additional $5,000 going to the charity of her choice.