Finalists Announced for the 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards

David Porter-Mackrell was named Employee of the Year at last year's Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards | Dan Abraham

The 18 finalists for the 2025 renewal of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, sponsored by Godolphin, were announced on Monday.

Now in their 21st year, the awards recognise and reward the skill, passion and commitment of the extraordinary people working across the British racing and breeding industry. The finalists will now head to York Racecourse on Monday, February 24 for the last round of judging and the prestigious ceremony, where the six category winners and overall Employee of the Year will be crowned.

Hosted by Rishi Persad, the ceremony will include special guest appearances from double Olympic gold medallist, Laura Collett MBE, and dual champion Flat Jockey and Godolphin retained rider, William Buick.

The finalists and their employers are as follows:

Newcomer Award

Tina St. John – William Haggas
Tyla Macfarlane – Andrew Balding
Uwitonze Wenham-Beckford – Karl Burke

Leadership Award

Ivo Thomas – Tweenhills
Mark Ellwood – Nick Alexander
Rachael Lytham – Greenall Guerriero Racing

Rider / Racing Groom Award

Emma Kettlewell – Karl Burke
Sarah Macdonald – Julia Feilden
Simone Meloni – Nicky Henderson

Stud Award

Fiona McGlone – Hascombe & Valiant Stud
Kelly Stevens – Littleton Stud
Kim Skolfield – Newsells Park Stud

Dedication Award

Anthony Smith – Karl Burke
Jane Smith – John Ryan
Joe Scally – Roger Varian

Community Award

Anne Richardson – HEROS Charity
Jacqui Greet – Ascot Racecourse
Sally Lyons – Great British Racing

Each winner and runner-up during the evening will receive a share of the £128,500 prize-money, generously provided by Godolphin. A total of £30,000 will be awarded to the Employee of the Year and their yard or stud, which was secured last year by David Porter-Mackrell and Newsells Park Stud.

The 2025 finalists have been selected by an expert judging panel, who whittled down over 200 nominations to an initial 10-person shortlist, prior to confirmation of the final three in each category.

Brant Dunshea, acting chief executive of the BHA, said, “My sincere congratulations to this year's finalists. This is a wonderful accomplishment and deserved recognition for your contribution to British racing and breeding.

“I know how tough the judging process was this year, with some seriously strong competition, so our finalists and shortlisted nominees should all be very proud of what you have achieved.

“We are extremely fortunate in our industry to benefit from the skill and dedication of many thousands of individuals who devote their lives to our horses, people and communities.

“Thanks to the support of our sponsors Godolphin, our expert judging panel and committed partners, the ceremony at York Racecourse promises to be another truly special occasion where we have the opportunity to celebrate the best of British racing and breeding.”

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