Adam Kite – Head Man /Assistant Trainer at Ralph Beckett (Kimpton Down Stables) – has been named runner-up in the “Leadership Award” category at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards 2014.
The category winner was Tony Gorman who is Head Lad at the Richard Hannon stables near Marlborough.
The Awards ceremony took place at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in London’s 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 Racing industry.
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:
“This tenth set of awards produced a quite outstanding set of finalists and quite excellent winners. Finally choosing Leanne Masterton as employee of the year was particularly difficult but she is a magnificent illustration of how fulfilling a role in racing can be.”
The winners were decided at a formal judging day held in the morning before the ceremony at the British Horseracing Authority’s London office, where each of the finalists were interviewed by members of the judging panel.
The full list of winners and runners up were as follows:
Leadership Award:
Winner: Tony Gorman, Head Lad – Richard Hannon
Runners up: Adam Kite, Head Man/Assistant Trainer – Ralph Beckett;
Rory O’Dowd, Assistant Trainer – Brian Meehan.
Rider Groom Award:
Winner: Leanne Masterton, Travelling Head Girl – Andrew Balding
Runners up: Tony Garth, Travelling Supervisor – Saeed bin Suroor;
Alfie Mills, Rider/Groom – Mark Johnston
Stud Staff Award:
Winner: Gerry Meehan, Yearling Manager – Newsells Park Stud
Runners up: Jayne Bushby, Stud Groom – Upton Viva Stud ;
Becky Stebbing, Manager of Yearlings – New England Stud.
Dedication to Racing Award:
Winner: Maxine Ledger, Head Girl – Richard Hannon
Runners up: Michael Ashley, Head Lad – John W Hills;
Stuart Jackson, Travelling Head Lad – David Simcock
David Nicholson Newcomer Award:
Winner: Ben James, Stable Staff – William Haggas
Runners up: Emma Dwyer, Assistant Yard Manager – Mark Johnston;
Scott Sainsbury, Stable Lad – Andrew Balding.
Adminstration Award:
Winner: Marbeth Blair, Office Manager – Brian Meehan