The finalists for the 2021 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards have been announced, including three finalists in six of the seven categories, as well as the winner and runner-up of the Thoroughbred Industry Community Award. This year's Community Award winner is Nick Caras of the New York Racetrack Chaplaincy, with Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association's Diana Pinones as runner-up.
While the 2020 awards ceremony was held virtually, the 2021 finalists will be honored during an awards ceremony at Keeneland Oct. 15. The weekend includes travel and accommodation for out-of-town finalists, a tour of a local horse farm, dinner for finalists and their connections, and the awards ceremony luncheon followed by an afternoon of racing at Keeneland.
The 2021 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards finalists are:
Katherine McKee Administration Award
sponsored by Keeneland
Lori Johnson – The Jockey Club
Sue Kenny – Herringswell Stables
Kelsey Marshall – Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners
Support Services Award sponsored by I am Horse Racing
David Kyle – Fasig-Tipton
Katherine Todd Smith – Self-Employed, Horse Identifier
Brenda Wilhelm – Charles Town Races
Dedication to Breeding Award sponsored by Hallway Feeds
Luis Coronado – Machmer Hall
Wayne Howard – Spendthrift Farm
Calvin Smith – Runnymede Farm, PA
Dedication to Racing Award
sponsored by National Thoroughbred Racing Association
Benjamin Betts – Ocala Jockey Club, retired
Tessa Bisha – Brad H. Cox Racing
Lorita Lindemann – Joe Sharp Racing
Leadership Award
sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
Joseph Littrell – Stone Farm
Robert Turner – Stonestreet Farms
Billy Sellers – Lane's End Farm
Newcomer Award sponsored by New York Racing Association
Emily Csenar – Taylor Made Sales Agency
Joshua McLemore – Keeneland
Olivia Desch – WinStar Farm
Thoroughbred Industry Community Award
sponsored by Churchill Downs
Winner | Nicholas Caras – New York Racetrack Chaplaincy
Runner-up | Diana Pinones – Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association
The winners of the Administration, Dedication to Breeding, Dedication to Racing, Leadership and Support Services Awards will receive a prize of $7,500, with an additional $2,500 awarded to the winner's team at their farm, stable or organization. The two runners-up in these categories will win $2,500 each, with $2,500 awarded to their farm, stable or organization.
The winner of the Newcomer Award will receive $2,000 and a five-day educational trip to Dubai, with $1,000 awarded to their team at their place of work. The two runners-up in this award will receive $1,000 each, and $1,000 will also be awarded to their farm, stable or organization.
As the winner of the Community Award, Nick Caras will receive a prize of $7,500 and an additional prize of $2,500 will be donated to the charity of his choice. Diana Pinones will receive $2,500 as the runner-up in this category.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
