Farrell scoops top prize at Stud & Stable Staff Awards Pat Farrell, Stud Groom at Moyglare Stud in Maynooth, County Kildare was announced as the Irish Racing Excellence Award winner, taking the top honour at the 2018 Irish Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, held at the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, County Meath on Monday evening, May 21st. Pat, who also won the Dedication to Racing Award, was selected by the 12 members of the judging committee for the highest accolade from among eight individual category winners, who were also revealed at the awards ceremony. From County Kildare and known for his affinity with horses, Pat has worked for Moyglare Stud for the last 45 years, only 11 years less than the stud’s foundation. In that time, there is little of the people, land, bloodlines and success that Pat has not been part of. Pat has foaled, handled, broken or ridden some great horses in his long career, including all the Irish-bred Moyglare Group 1 winners. A total of ten awards, worth €84,000 were presented by former All-Ireland footballer for Meath and RTÉ GAA analyst, Colm O’Rourke. Richard Forristal, Editor of the Racing Post in Ireland, acted as MC for the occasion. The 10 winners and runners-up for the 2018 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards are: Irish Racing Excellence Award Pat Farrell, Stud Groom, Moyglare Stud, County Kildare Administration Award Gillian Carey, Operations Manager, Fairyhouse Racecourse, County Meath Runners-up: Denis Hickey, Racing Secretary, Ballydoyle, County Tipperary Vicki McWey, Supervisor Registrations Department, Horse Racing Ireland, County Kildare Newcomer Award Georgie Benson, Stable Lass, Gordon Elliott, County Meath Runners-up: Joanne Eaton, Stable Lass, Willie McCreery, County Kildare Charlie Sweeney, Pupil Assistant/Second Head Lad, Eyrefield House Stud, County Kildare Horse Care Award Mary Nugent, Travelling Assistant, Gordon Elliott, County Meath Runners-up: Emma Connolly, Travelling Head Lass / Assistant Trainer, Noel Meade, County Meath Sinead O'Sullivan, Head Girl, John Murphy, County Cork In The Saddle Award James Rath, Head Lad, Liz Doyle, County Wexford Runners-up: Audrey O'Neill, Exercise Rider & Groom, John Oxx, County Kildare Josep Sans Sanchez, Head Man, PJ Prendergast, County Kildare Travelling Head Person Award Camilla Sharples, Travelling Head Girl, Gordon Elliott, County Meath Runners-up: Tina Evans, Travelling Head Girl, Joseph O’Brien, County Kilkenny Jason Forsyth, Travelling Head Person, John Oxx, County Kildare Leads by Example Award Stephen Thorne, Assistant Trainer, Adrian McGuinness, County Dublin Runners-up: Tom Daly, Assistant Head Man, Dermot Weld, County Kildare Valerie Keatley, Head Girl, Johnny Murtagh, County Kildare Dedication to Racing and Breeding Award Pat Farrell, Stud Groom, Moyglare Stud, County Kildare Runners up: Eamonn Leigh, Headman, Jessica Harrington, County Kildare Tommy Ryan, Head Lad, Edward O’Grady, County Tipperary Racing and Breeding Support Services Award Martin ‘Snowy’ Pearse, Facilities Manager, Punchestown Racecourse, County Kildare Runners up: Martin Leahy, Master Farrier, Bruff, County Limerick Sharon O'Regan, Head of Operations, Weatherbys Ireland GSB Ltd, County Kildare Racecourse Award Fairyhouse Racecourse, Ratoath, County Meath Bernard Caldwell, Chairman of the Irish Stablestaff Association, said: “Congratulations to all of this year’s award winners and finalists. Stud and stable staff play a vital role in Irish racing and breeding so it’s great to see their skills and dedication rewarded. I would like to thank Godolphin for their extremely generous sponsorship, our media partners The Racing Post and Horse Racing Ireland who organised the entire event.” Diana Cooper, Strategic Advisor, Charities, for Godolphin, said: “Godolphin is honoured to sponsor the Irish Stud and Stable Staff Awards which this year received a record number of nominations. The judging panel had a very difficult task in picking the category winners, each of which emerged from very strong fields. Congratulations to all and thanks also to their colleagues who nominated them. Tonight's awards showcase the dedication and talent which make this a great industry.”
