Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards honor 2018 winners

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Thoroughbred industry professionals from Kentucky, California, Delaware, and Pennsylvania were honored as the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards were presented Wednesday afternoon at Churchill Downs.

This was the third North American edition of the awards, sponsored by Godolphin, in partnership with the National Horsemens’ Benevolent and Protective Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, and The Jockey Club, and the first time the presentation was held at Churchill Downs. The honors were presented in a ceremony at Keeneland in 2016 and 2017, but moved to Churchill Downs this year in partnership with Breeders' Cup week.

The far-flung award winners – who trainer Bob Baffert, the guest presenter, said represented the "heart and soul of racing" – were selected from 140 nominations from a record 19 states, according to Jimmy Bell, president of Godolphin's American operations.

Cesar Aguilar and Sandy Hatfield were honored as the winners of the leadership awards in the racing and breeding categories, respectively, recognizing those in a manegerial or supervisory role in those fields.

Aguilar is the foreman for California-based trainer John Sadler, whose Breeders' Cup starters this weekend will include Accelerate, the morning-line favorite for the Classic. Aguilar began working for Sadler 23 years ago and was promoted to foreman in 1999. He has been a part of the travel team with runners such as champion Stellar Wind.

"Cesar is honest, quiet, dedicated, and a brave man who is happiest most in the early morning quiet of the barn preparing for the day ahead," said Sadler, who was Aguilar's nominator.

Hatfield is the stallion manager at Three Chimneys Farm, where she has worked for 19 years. Her eight-horse roster currently includes Horse of the Year Gun Runner, champion Will Take Charge, and Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice.

"My day is just making sure the horses are happy and healthy, especially during breeding season," Hatfield said.

Therese Reese and Lisa See were honored with the awards representing dedication to the breeding industry and dedication to the racing industry, respectively. Nominees for the awards had to have at least 10 years' service in the industry.

Reese works for Stoneway Farm in Kentucky and is an integral member of the foaling team, with nominator Terri Burch saying she is referred to by the staff as the "baby momma." Reese works closely with the farm's reproduction veterinarian and also oversees the early handling and sales preparation of the young horses.

See is a groom and assistant trainer, after having passed her trainer's test this past summer, for Anthony Pecoraro's racing stable based out of Delaware. See has been working on the backstretch at Delaware Park since 1994, when she was 16.

Devon Dougherty was honored with the newcomer award, recognizing those who have been employed in the Thoroughbred industry for less than five years. Dougherty is an assistant trainer for Roy Houghton's racing stable in Philadelphia, obtaining her license at just age 19 while still attending La Salle University full time. Her path takes "a lot of ambition and a lot of desire," says Houghton, who nominated her.

Angie Carmona, who serves the California backstretch community in a variety of roles, was honored as the winner of the community award for service to the industry. Carmona is the deputy executive director and secretary for California Thoroughbred Trainers. She also is the volunteer leader of the Edwin Gregson Foundation and volunteers as director of the California Thoroughbred Horsemen's Foundation.

The winners of the two farm and two racing categories receive a prize of $10,000 with an additional $5,000 awarded to their farm or stable. The two runners-up in those categories win $2,500 each, with the same amount going to their organization.

Dougherty, as winner of the newcomer award, receives $5,000, with $2,000 going to her stable. She also will take an educational tour of Dubai on an all-expenses-paid trip. The two runners-up in her category receive $2,000, with $1,000 going to their farm or stable.

Carmona, for her category, will receive a prize of $10,000, with an additional $5,000 going to the charity of her choice.