Following a gala evening ceremony celebrating the achievements of stud and stable staff from across the country at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, Jessica Fortt, Stud Manager for Dunraven Stud, has been named as Employee of the Year 2015.
Jessica was awarded with the perpetual Godolphin Trophy by presenter Clare Balding and special guest presenter and three-time Champion Flat Jockey Ryan Moore at an event hosted by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), and partnered by the Racing Post. She was also presented with a cheque for the total of a staggering 拢40,000, of which 拢20,000 will be shared amongst the staff at the Dunraven Stud in Wales.
Jessica started her career at the Racing School and joined Dunraven Stud 16 years ago, after a bad facial injury ruined a promising apprentice career. She originally helped train pointers before moving on to the breeding operation at Dunraven Stud. Dunraven is a small National Stud based near Bridgend, standing two stallions, Dr Massini and Vinnie Roe.
Jessica carries out all aspects of the work on the stud, including the office administration, stallion handling, foaling throughout the season, breaking in, updating owners and even sends videos to owners of their new foals. Her dedication, hard-work and passion typifies what the racing industry should be proud of in stud and stable staff.
The Awards ceremony took place at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in London鈥檚 Knightsbridge in front of a specially invited audience from across the racing industry to celebrate the vital role of stud and stable staff in the sport.
All 16 finalists, including the winner of the Administration Staff Award, were praised by the judges for their talent, outstanding commitment and contribution to the racing industry.
Brough Scott, Chairman of the Judging Panel, commented:
鈥淭his year鈥檚 awards have yet again produced a quite outstanding set of finalists and excellent winners. Despite the remarkable credentials of the winners, Jessica was a clear-cut choice for Employee of the Year in the eyes of the Judging Panel.
鈥淒espite not being the typical stud staff breed, at less than five feet tall she shows empathy with each stallion and a natural way of handling them that means her lack of physicality is not an issue. She has been, and still is, involved in all parts of the game, as well as stud life and is also a magnificently refreshing character.鈥�
The winners were decided at a formal judging day held in the morning before the ceremony at the BHA鈥檚 London office, where the finalists were interviewed by members of the judging panel.
The full list of winners and runners up are as follows:
RIDER/GROOM AWARD:
奥颈苍苍别谤:听Simon Archer, Groom – Sir Mark Prescott
搁耻苍苍别谤蝉-耻辫:听Steve Nicholson, Full Time Work Rider – Ed Dunlop
Martyn Peake, Rider/Groom – Lady Cecil
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STUD STAFF AWARD:
奥颈苍苍别谤:听Jessica Fortt, Stud Manager – Dunraven Stud
搁耻苍苍别谤蝉-耻辫:听Dale Clements, Stud Groom – Cheveley Park
Ron Lott, Stallion Man – Shadwell Stud
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LEADERSHIP AWARD:
Winner:听Johnson White, Assistant Trainer – Philip Hobbs
Runners-up:听Joanne Fowles, Head Lass – Roger Varian
Kevin Mooney, Assistant Trainer – Charlie Hills
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DEDICATION TO RACING AWARD:
奥颈苍苍别谤:听Lesley White, Travelling Head Lass – Mick Channon
搁耻苍苍别谤蝉-耻辫:听Clifford Marsden, Head Man – Luca Cumani
Robynne Watton, Senior Travelling Manager – Mark Johnston
DAVID NICHOLSON NEWCOMER AWARD:
奥颈苍苍别谤:听Tegan Clark, Head Lad – Olly Stevens
搁耻苍苍别谤蝉-耻辫:听Charlotte Clayton, Work Rider/Groom – Rae Guest
Reggie Eggleton, Yard Man/Feed Manager – Seamus Mullins
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ADMINISTRATION STAFF AWARD
Winner:听Peter Shoemark, Racing Office Manager 鈥� John Gosden
Notes to editors:
1. The Awards are generously sponsored by Godolphin and run by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) with support from the Racing Post
2. The winners of the Leadership, Rider Groom, Stud Staff and Dedication to Racing categories will receive a prize of 拢5,000 with an additional 拢5,000 also being awarded to the winner鈥檚 yard or stud. The two runners-up in these categories will win 拢2,000 each, with the same amount going to their year or stud.
The winner of the Administration Staff Award will receive 拢5,000, with the same amount going to their yard or stud.
The winner of the David Nicholson Newcomer Award will receive 拢2,000, with the same amount going to their yard or stud, while two runners-up will receive 拢1,000 each, with the same amount for their yard.
The Employee of the Year will receive an additional 拢15,000, with the same amount awarded to their yard or stud.
3. The Judging Panel was: Judith Allen, Sally Aston, Ian Balding, Mark Bradburne, Dale Gibson, Dawn Goodfellow, Matt Mancini, Leanne Masterton, George McGrath, Dinah Nicholson, Brough Scott (Chairman), Peter Scudamore.
