The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, now in its ninth year in the United States, concluded Oct. 15 with a ceremony in the sales pavilion at Keeneland, said primary sponsor Godolphin in a release late Tuesday.
A total of $122,000 in prize money was awarded across seven cateogries, and FanDuel TV host Todd Schrupp served as the master of ceremonies. This year's awards received additional support from category sponsors NYRA, 1/ST Racing, Keeneland, Hallway Feeds, NTRA, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute and Churchill Downs. The TDN served as one of several media partners for the event.
Tom Law, managing editor of the Saratoga Special and this year's judging panels chair said, “This is my fourth year on the judging panels and each year I am truly inspired and moved by the special individuals who sincerely care for our industry and our equine athletes. To all the finalists, as well as all of the nominees, please know that we appreciate you and what you do.”
Katie Petrunyak, TDN producer, was a finalist for the Newcomer Award.
The full list of winners, finalists and runners-up are as follows:
Katherine McKee Administration Award, sponsored by Keeneland
Winner: Lauren Marks (Ocala Breeders' Sales Company)
Finalists: Deeann Ruppert (Claiborne Farm), Tia Murphy (Turfway Park)
Runners-up: Gretchen Feld (Lane's End Farm & David Ingordo), Tiffany Leggett (1/ST Racing)
Support Services Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing
Winner: Cass Dewey (Desert Oasis Rescue)
Finalists: Keith and Joy Cooper (Cooper Horse Transport), Vicki Tomlinson (Churchill Downs)
Runners-up: Justine “Tina” Elam (Hagyard Equine Medical InstituteCon), Kevin Moran (Keeneland Association)
Dedication to Breeding Award, sponsored by Hallway Feeds
Winner: Steve Vargas (Bridlewood Farm)
Finalists: Francisco “Poncho” Sanchez (Craig Wheeler Thoroughbreds, Inc.), Sue Hooper (Havens Oaks Farm)
Runners-up: Abel Garibay (C&S Thoroughbreds), Christine Sgorrano (Sugar Plum Farm, LLC)
Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by the NTRA
Winner: Milver Martinez (Brendan Walsh Racing)
Finalists: Erma Lee Scott (William I. Mott Racing), Francisco D'Angelo (D'Angelo Racing Team)
Runners-up: Darquin “Darwin” Aguilar-Valenzuela (Brad H. Cox Racing Stables, LLC), Lee Vickers (Christophe Clement Racing Stable)
Managerial Award, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
Winner: Christine Jones (Pleasant Acres Stallions)
Finalists: Jack Sadler (Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners), Stuart Angus (Taylor Made Farm)
Runners-up: Lauren Eads (Watercress Farm), Debbie Ward (Safari North Farm)
Newcomer Award, sponsored by NYRA
Winner: Julianne Stowell (Niall Brennan Stables)
Finalists: Demetrio Rabadan (Christophe Clement Racing Stable), Katie Petrunyak (Thoroughbred Daily News)
Runners-up: Nicole Dreiling (Bel-Mar Farm), Ethan Fry (O'Sullivan Farms)
Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs
Winner: Nancy LaSala (PDJF)
Finalists: Bob Miller (Ocala Farm Ministry), Joel Helmburg (TRF at Blackburn Correctional Facility)
Runners-up: Melanie Case (Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy), Christian Countzler (Stable Recovery)
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