TIEA Awards

Congratulations to Wayne Clem, a finalist in the Leadership Award in Breeding category of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA), presented by Godolphin. The assistant yearling manager at Claiborne Farm, Clem has been employed by the storied nursery since 1967. "Wayne is one of the most selfless and best people I've ever worked with," said yearling manager Robby Hertzel. In addition to his duties during his 53 years at Claiborne, Clem has implemented an internship program mentoring and teaching students about all aspects of yearling care. "It is because of...

Congratulations to Maria Cristina Silva, winner of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA) Community Award, presented by Godolphin. Silva serves as the backstretch program coordinator for the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA). A native of Santiago, Chile, Silva first acted as an interpreter for the backside community at Belmont, but now also works to secure clothing, furniture, food, and more for backstretch workers and their families. She also puts together backpacks for children in need prior to school starting each fall. "No one has served the employees on the...

Godolphin announced the finalists for its 2020 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Wednesday. The Thoroughbred Industry Community Award, which has one first-place prize, has been decided. This year's recipient is Maria Cristina Vasquez with the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association. Three finalists in each of the six categories, along with Maria Cristina Vasquez, will be recognized at a virtual awards program to be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 6, with the assistance of Studio 46 Media in Lexington, KY. The shortlist judging panel, the first of the two judging...

While Terry Finley had nominated employees for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, Presented by Godolphin, in the past, he had never been a judge until 2019. The experience, he said, was one of the most positive and affirming things he has ever experienced in the Thoroughbred industry. "On a personal level, one of the things that struck me was when they got down to the final five people, and when they came in to be in front of the judges and had a chance to deliver their story, it was...