Jodie Hiesinger has been named the first recipient of the Jockey Club of Canada's Outstanding Western Canadian Backstretch Worker, a Thoroughbred award that partners with the long-standing Outstanding Groom Awards given to a groom working in Ontario. The award is sponsored by HBPA Alberta, Horse Racing Alberta, and CTHS Alberta.
“It was kind of a surprise,” said Hiesinger, 34, who works for Alberta trainer Rod Cone. “I knew Rod had nominated me, but I didn't really think anything about it. I love what I do. It's not really a job to me. It's a way of life that I wouldn't trade for anything.”
Of the decision to nominate his longtime employee, Cone said, “She's amazing and so deserving. She came to me 13 years ago as a groom and a gallop girl. Now she's my assistant trainer. She does everything. She runs the barn. It's hard to find an employee like her.”
Cone added, “A trainer can't win races without a good barn. The grooms do all the work. All the heavy lifting. Ask any good trainer and they will all say the same thing. The trainers get the credit, but it's the barn workers who should get it.”
For Curtis Stock's story on Hiesinger, click here.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
