Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards presented

Various unsung heroes in the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industry were honored as the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards were presented in a virtual ceremony broadcast Thursday from Lexington, Ky.

The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, now in their fifth year in the United States, are sponsored by Godolphin in partnership with the National HBPA, TOBA, The Jockey Club, and Breeders’ Cup. Media partners are the TDN, BloodHorse, Daily Racing Form, The Paulick Report, Fox Sports, and TVG.

The winners were:

* Administration Award: Dionne Johnson, business manager for the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (Runners-up: Lynelle Fox Smith, executive director for the Oregon Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; Michele Holbrook, office manager for Silver Springs Stud)

* Dedication to Breeding Award: Helen Otero, stallion administrator for Coolmore America (Runners-up: David Kyle, plant manager for Fasig-Tipton; Steve Avery, general farm manager for Taylor Made Sales)

* Dedication to Racing Award: Gregory Smothers, head rider for Niall Brennan Stables (Runners-up: Marcelo Arenas, assistant trainer to Leah Gyarmati; Patrick “Shawn” Autry, assistant stable manager for McPeek Racing)

* Leadership in Breeding Award: Wayne Clem, assistant yearling manager for Claiborne Farm (Runners-up: Matt Lyons, vice president and chief operating officer of Candy Meadows Farm; Christy Holden, general manager of Country Life Farm)

* Leadership in Racing Award: Carmen McShane, assistant trainer for D/M Racing (Runners-up: Roy Smith, track superintendent at Indiana Grand; Cindy Hutter, assistant trainer to George Weaver)

* Newcomer Award: Aaron West, racing operations manager for Bradley Thoroughbreds (Runners-up: Robert Cole, intern and co-op program student at Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association; Alexis Kolasa, administrative assistant for Denali Stud)

* Community Award: Maria Cristina Silva, backstretch program coordinator at the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association

The winners of the two breeding and racing categories and the administrative category receive a prize of $7,500 with an additional $2,500 being awarded to the winner’s farm or stable. The two runners-up win $2,500 each, with the same amount going to their farm or stable. The winner of the Newcomer Award receives $2,000 and an all-expenses paid trip to Dubai. The two runners-up in the category will receive $1,000 each with $1,000 going to their farm or stable. The Community Award winner receives a prize of $7,500 with an additional prize of $5,000 going to the charity of their choice.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone’s lives in so many ways," Jimmy Bell, president of Godolphin's American operations, said in a press release. "But in our industry, we are all very fortunate to have an enormous group of talented and dedicated frontline workers who have continued their hard work, often requiring endless hours, to provide the care for our equine athletes. The Thoroughbred business could not function without them and we truly appreciate what they do.”