Blue Gum’s Smith takes top honour at Stud and Stable Staff Awards
Wendy Smith has been named as this year’s Thoroughbred Excellence Award winner, the highest honour bestowed at the annual Stud And Stable Staff Awards, supported by Godolphin, in a ceremony held virtually last night.
Smith, Blue Gum Farm’s yearling manager, joins David Merrick, Joe Agresta, Jeremy Rogers, Jenny Watson and Mark Newnham as a winner of the Thoroughbred Excellence Award, presented to a person who has made “a significant, exceptional contribution to the industry”.
As Smith told ANZ Bloodstock News earlier this month, her love affair with horses began with a Shetland pony named Cornflakes, with the 57-year-old working with horses for most of her life.
A clearly elated Smith, who also won the Horsemanship Award, joined the ceremony via Zoom due to Covid-19 protocols. With her colleagues cheering along in the background, she accepted the award from host Caroline Searcy.
“I would never have believed it,” Smith said. “When I was nominated (for the Horsemanship Award), I was over the moon. When I made top five, I couldn’t believe it and to make top two, it was just outstanding. So now, to have won this as well … oh, my goodness. Who would have thought? What a great year and I’m very happy.
“I’m so overwhelmed to be nominated even, I was more than excited and I’m so grateful to Patti for nominating me. I’m over the moon and Blue Gum is a great team to work for; this award is for the whole team. I’m a little shocked!”
Smith identified dedication and passion as the hallmarks of her lifelong love for the industry and she says that the doors that those traits can open are endless.
“Some people are born to do what they do and I truly believe that I was born to do horses. From the minute I could walk, that’s all that I wanted to do. I think when you go and do a job that is a lifetime job, it has to be a job that you love to do, otherwise it becomes very hard.
“There are a lot of options available if you show the dedication and the passion. It can lead you everywhere around the world. It really does need to be your passion.”
Smith will receive $15,000 and a trophy, with $5,000 to Blue Gum Farm to share amongst their staff.
The Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by the Australian Turf Club, was awarded to the Victoria Racing Club’s Michael Hurry, while the Dedication to Breeding Award, sponsored by Magic Millions, went the way of Godolphin’s Chris Cooper.
The Administration and Ancillary Services Award, sponsored by the Melbourne Racing Club Foundation, was awarded to Sarah Moran from Griffiths Racing, while the Leadership Award went to Godolphin’s Simon Johnson and the Thoroughbred Care & Welfare Award went to Liz Andriske, founder of Spare One Thoroughbreds.
All five of those winners will receive $10,000 and a trophy, with $3,000 to their employers.
Kelly Colledge was named as a rising star in the industry with her win in the Newcomer Award. She was credited by trainer Brenden Mackay with keeping his stable afloat after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
“It’s been a bit of a tough year but it’s also been rewarding too,” she said. “It’s a real honour to be nominated and to be recognised as a hard worker. There are plenty of young people who work just as hard who haven’t been nominated. It’s exciting to see the other finalists and to know the paths that I could head down in the future.”
Colledge will receive $5,000 and a trophy, with $3,000 to their employers.