Stud and Stable Staff Awards set for big night
The Stud and Stable Staff Awards will recognise the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry’s unsung heroes for a tenth year and the Gold Coast-held event has a new venue.
The 2024 SSSA night, coinciding with the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast, will be staged at The Star on Wednesday evening.
The event features finalists from across five states of Australia, showcasing the depth of talent of the thoroughbred industry across the nation.
Racing television personality James Tzaferis, who will be hosting and is also a judge, believes the SSSA are among the most important on the calendar annually.
“We as an industry celebrate jockeys and trainers every day of the week, and don’t get me wrong, they are the stars of the show, but so are these guys,” Tzaferis said.
“Stablehands, track riders, studhands, people who work in offices around the country, they are at the coalface doing the job and probably not getting paid as much as what we would like them to be and not getting anywhere near the recognition they deserve.
“That’s why I enjoy these awards, because they do shine a light on these unsung heroes and people who literally dedicate their lives. It’s not just a job, it’s an all-consuming lifestyle.”
Tzaferis is excited about co-hosting the event with Sky Racing’s Ally Mosley.
“I’ve been on the shortlisting committee helping with the awards for the last three or four years, so this [hosting] is like a natural evolution for me,” he said.
“Ally and I used to work together at Racing Victoria and while Victoria and NSW can’t work together on a lot of things in racing at the moment, Ally and I are going to come together and do our bit, so I am looking forward to that.”
Tickets for the event can be purchased through this link:
Stud and Stable Staff Award finalists
Leadership Award (Stud or Stable) sponsored by Victoria Racing Club
Fionnan McCarthy – McEvoy Mitchell Racing, VIC
Paul Reid – Godolphin, NSW
Horsemanship Award (Stud or Stable) sponsored by Inglis
Arda Tascioglu – Freelancer, NSW
Hazel Fertier – Freelancer, SA
Dedication to Breeding Award sponsored by Magic Millions
Diane Colebrook – Armidale Stud, TAS
Ngyrie Gonzalez – Alwyn Park Stud, WA
Dedication to Racing Award sponsored by Australian Turf Club
Fiona Fletcher – Greg Eurell Racing, VIC
Trudie Clarke – TRNT, NT
Administration and Ancillary Award (Stud or Stable) sponsored by MRC Foundation
Belinda Miller – Sledmere Stud, NSW
Emma Cully – Star Thoroughbreds, NSW
Thoroughbred Care and Welfare Award sponsored by Queensland Off-The-Track
Julie Bramucci – Self-employed, VIC
Nicole Mutimer – NT Institute of Equestrian Sport, NT
Newcomer Award (Stud or Stable) sponsored by Marcus Oldham and Thoroughbred Industry Careers
Isabelle Toole – Vinery Stud, NSW
Jack Fonteyn – Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Racing, NSW