Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards open for nominations

Nominations for the North American edition of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards are now open, running through Aug. 2.

After last year's awards were presented virtually, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 award recipients will be honored at an in-person event planned for Oct. 15 at Keeneland.

Godolphin is the principal sponsor of the awards, 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 also sponsors the equivalent Stud and Stable Staff Awards in Ireland, Australia, Great Britain, and France. The awards were first presented in North America in 2016.

:: DRF BREEDING LIVE: Real-time coverage of breeding and sales

A total of seven award categories, with some changes and additions, will be presented this year and will carry total prize money of $122,000.

There will now be one overall Leadership Award, combining the previously separated leadership awards in the breeding and racing spectrums.

A new category, the Support Services Award, has been added to reward an individual who works in any non-administrative, support service role in the Thoroughbred industry. Eligible candidates for this award include, but are not limited to, sales positions, auctioneers, gardeners, veterinary practices, farriers, starting gate crew, horse transport, grounds staff, valets, horse dentists, physiotherapists, and other roles.

TIEA has also announced that Churchill Downs, Hallway Feeds, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, I Am Horse Racing, and Keeneland will join as award sponsors.

Nominations may be made at tiea.org.