Australian STUD & STABLE STAFF AWARDS 2021
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Australian STUD & STABLE STAFF AWARDS 2021 Supported by Rewarding the unsung heroes of the Australian thoroughbred industry Wednesday, 26 May, 2021, Gold Coast Turf Club Stud & Stable Staff Awards 2021 1 WELCOME SPONSOR’S MESSAGE On behalf of Racing Australia and As we all know, the hard work and On behalf of Godolphin, I am delighted first Awards in the UK more than 16 years Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, commitment of staff is the cornerstone our sponsorship of the Stud & Stable ago, his aim was to reward excellence we welcome you to the seventh Stud of our industry. Without that, Australia Staff Awards continues for the seventh in all areas of the racing and breeding & Stable Staff Awards ceremony in the would not be regarded as a global year in Australia. These celebrated industry. Gold Coast, supported by Godolphin. leader in thoroughbred racing and Awards recognise the dedication and The Australian Thoroughbred Workforce breeding. passion of many remarkable people In particular, we would like to Development Forum recently highlighted who work behind the scenes and are congratulate the Awards finalists, We would also like to express our the dire need for our industry to ‘obtain, the lifeblood of the racing and breeding Jess Hood, Cassandra Simmonds, appreciation to the judges for the train and retain’ staff, and to attract community. Carla Aliphon, Steve Brien, Gary huge part they have played in new employees. One of the best ways to Fennessy, John Brady, Mandy Radecker, adjudicating and selecting the It is exciting to see the growth of retain staff is to highlight their worth to Adam Shankley, Samantha Parkes, winners in each category. these Awards, the record number of one and all – and, most importantly, to David Hanratty, Fiona Bayly, Jack Cripps, nominations received this year and them, as these Awards demonstrate. Our special thanks also go to His Jade Willis and Jordan Priest. the high standard of individuals in all Highness Sheikh Mohammed and So, I urge everyone across the industry categories, which has given the judges We wish each of you good luck and Godolphin for their continued support to take the opportunity to nominate a difficult task in selecting winners. also welcome your families, friends of the Australian racing and breeding their unsung heroes in the future. The panel includes distinguished, and colleagues tonight. In addition, industry, particularly through these independent representatives from I’d like to thank Myles Foreman and Tom we are delighted to greet board Awards. We look forward to this event every area of our industry to ensure all Reilly for their support, and their boards members and representatives from continuing for many years to come decisions are impartial. at Racing Australia and Thoroughbred Racing Australia, Thoroughbred as the pinnacle of staff awards in our Breeders Australia for sponsoring the Breeders Australia and from our Award industry. Although the public’s perception of Awards. Plus, their teams, including sponsors, Magic Millions, Melbourne racing may be of great horses at top Finally, we hope you have a thoroughly Mary Capuano and Cecelia O’Gorman, for Racing Club Foundation, Australian Turf meetings, we all know that staff will enjoyable evening and wish all the all their efforts. I’m also grateful to the Club, and Inglis, as well as Racing.com have worked long and hard, often in winners and runners-up the very best shortlisting and judging panels for their and Sky Racing. tough conditions, to make that happen. for the future. diligent work in selecting the winners. But they may largely go unrecognised Our thanks go to all those in the Myles Foreman beyond their own studs and yards. Our generous co-sponsors have been various sectors of Australian racing and Chief Executive Officer However, these are the people who have tremendous, so thanks to Melbourne breeding who put forward nominations. enabled us to get through the Covid-19 Racing Club Foundation, Australian Turf A record 174 nominations were received challenges and without their efforts, our Club, Magic Millions and Inglis as well – from the widest-ever range of training industry may well have stalled. as our media partners, Racing.com and establishments, studs and other Tom Reilly Sky Racing for their support. organisations that support and The aim of these Awards is to bring Chief Executive Officer maintain an industry that is one of wider recognition and reward to those Congratulations to all the finalists Australia’s largest. incredible individuals who make a and winners. real difference to their horses and our Vin Cox great sport. Managing Director (Australia) When His Highness Sheikh Mohammed generously conceived and launched the 2 Stud & Stable Staff Awards 2021 Stud & Stable Staff Awards 2021 3 Leadership AUSTRALIAN STUD & STABLE STAFF AWARDS 2021 FINALISTS Samantha Parkes David Hanratty Godolphin Yarradale Stud Administration Dedication to and Ancillary Racing Services SPONSORED BY SPONSORED BY Jess Hood Cassandra Gary Fennessy John Brady Arrowfield Simmonds Lindsay Park Waterhouse Bott Magic Millions Dedication to Thoroughbred Breeding Care and Welfare SPONSORED BY Carla Aliphon Steve Brien Jade Willis Jordan Priest Cityview Farm Twin Hills Stud JW Equestrian Eureka Stud Horsemanship Newcomer SPONSORED BY Mandy Radecker Adam Shankley Fiona Bayly Jack Cripps Michael Lakey Racing Arrowfield Ciaron Maher Racing McEvoy Mitchell Racing 4 Stud & Stable Staff Awards 2021 Stud & Stable Staff Awards 2021 5 An Award to an individual staff member who works in an ADMINISTRATION AND ANCILLARY administration role on a stud or in a racing yard or services ancillary SERVICES to racing or breeding (such as race club administrators and staff, stud or stable administration staff, farm, garden and maintenance staff). Must demonstrate exceptional skills, loyalty or some SPONSORED BY achievement that has added value to their employer’s business and directly or indirectly to industry standards. PRIZE: Trophy and $10,000 to the winner, with $1,000 to the employer to share among staff. $3,000 to the runner-up. They are the organisers, fixers and deep knowledge of the farm, its people, is no longer just dealing with flights, protectors – the ones who know where its operations and its clients are critical hotel bookings and transfers, but is everything is, how it all works and how to Arrowfield’s business – and Jess also liaising with government on travel to perform miracles at short notice. possesses all of those attributes,” permits, border passes and Covid he said. bio-security plans. Jess Hood and Cassandra Simmonds are part of an indispensable band of people “Jess was responsible for presenting “It is fair to say Cass was single-handedly working tirelessly behind the scenes the stud’s drafts at all the major sales, responsible for ensuring some of the across the thoroughbred industry to get including the early progeny of Redoute’s biggest buyers at the Magic Millions the job done. Choice and his sons. The knowledge and Gold Coast sale were able to make it to the skills she acquired during those years Queensland.” At Arrowfield Stud, Hood knows has equipped her in a unique way for the more than most about running a Other industry experts, including leading job she now performs.” farm she joined 21 years ago, where syndicator Denise Martin, also praised she rose quickly to Yearling Manager At Magic Millions, Cassandra Simmonds her talents. and eventually switched to an office is Office Administrator (Race Series “Cass is peerless in this industry at being JESS HOOD management role. and CRM Systems). She brings her own able to get things done with a truly ARROWFIELD special qualities, with diplomacy and “I did the yearlings for 10 years and remarkable efficiency and unwavering resourcefulness high on the list. then a job opened up in the office and courtesy that is rarely seen in any I wanted to make a change without Affectionately known as ‘The Zipper’ – industry,” she explained. leaving Arrowfield, so it was perfect,” the one who brings everything together While Garry Cuddy, of Spendthrift Farms, she said. – she is highly regarded among her peers said: “In the past 12 months we have for her outstanding ability to meet the “There have been many personal lived in a world of the unknown, but demands of buyers and sellers. Her rewards, but to be a finalist in these one thing the clients of Magic Millions skills in liaising with government officials Awards is a different kind of recognition. always knew was that Cass was doing to meet the many logistical challenges It’s humbling to know that what we do everything humanly possible to make during the pandemic also proved vital. is recognised more widely.” their sales experience seamless.” “Cass is someone whose dedication, Her wide-ranging responsibilities as For trainer Anthony Freedman, it’s her efficiency and calm, even in the most Office Administrator include human ability to manage any situation that trying circumstances, are a great resources, client liaison and dealing singles her out. asset to both Magic Millions and the with imports and exports. During the countless breeders, trainers, agents “Cass always goes above and beyond, breeding season, she supports the stud and syndicators who rely on her,” said no issue is too big for her to solve, she’s secretary and at major sales she draws one of her nominators, Tom Reilly, Chief always in control – she’s one of MM’s on her yearlings experience to assist CASSANDRA SIMMONDS Executive Officer of Thoroughbred greatest assets,” he said. wherever possible. MAGIC MILLIONS Breeders Australia. And finally, Peter O’Brien, of Segenhoe To Arrowfield Manager Paul Messara, “In the past 12 months the logistical Stud, summed her up: “Cass is, quite she is vital. challenge has been made immeasurably simply, the most efficient person I’ve “Diligence, attention to detail and a more difficult due to Coronavirus.