Nominations for The Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards are open, with prize money of £120,000 generously donated by sponsors Godolphin to reward the unsung heroes of Racing.

Owners, Breeders, Trainers, Office Administrators or Work Colleagues have until 3^rd January 2012 to nominate their colleagues, and the process couldn’t be easier – or more rewarding. The awards provide an opportunity to acknowledge the extraordinary dedication, passion and skill of those who work behind the scenes, with one nominee in 2011 stating that, “just being nominated is the best prize in the world”.

Nomination forms and entry criteria can be downloaded now from www.britishhorseracing.com/stablestaff/ and www.racingpost.com, by texting “Awards” to 07554 400150 or by sending an email to awards@britishhorseracing.com.

The six award categories remain unchanged from 2011 and include a continued partnership with the National Association of Stable Staff for the Special Merit Award; 

• David Nicholson Newcomer Award: for those who have displayed a desire to improve, have progressed their skills and knowledge and become an integral part of the team while employed in the industry for less than three years
• High Achiever Award: for those managing two or more staff who have displayed leadership qualities amongst their colleagues and peers, a desire to succeed in the industry and strong mentoring skills that have been to the benefit of those around them
• Rider/Groom Award: for those who have shown talent for horsemanship, consistency and reliability in and out of the saddle
• Stud Staff Award: for those who have shown expertise, dedication and reliability, excellent horsemanship, adaptability and teamwork while employed within a stud
• Dedication to Racing Award: for a long-serving member of staff who has been employed for at least ten years within the industry and is an integral part of the team, offering a wealth of industry experience and knowledge, and dedication to their job
• NASS Special Merit Award: for a NASS member chosen by a NASS member on the basis that they deserve special recognition for their work within the industry and have acted in a manner to be regarded as a role model for stable staff

Each category winner will receive £5,000 and the two runners-up will also each receive £2,000, with their respective Yards also receiving the same amount. The Yard contribution is not included within the NASS category, where £5,000 is awarded to the winner only, in special recognition of their solo efforts.

Category winners, excluding the winner of the Newcomer Award and the NASS Special Merit Award, then go forward for the overall ‘Employee of the Year Award’, boasting a grand prize of £25,000 (£15,000 to the winner and £10,000 to their Yard), together with The Godolphin Trophy, a memento of their success.

The awards themselves will take place on Monday 27^th February 2012 at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge, with all the finalists being treated to a night at this exclusive London hotel as part of the Stud and Stable Staff Awards experience.

Robin Mounsey, Communications Manager for the British Horseracing Authority, said:

“Everyone who has been involved in the Awards within recent years unanimously acknowledges what a special event it is for Racing, and particularly those who have been nominated by their colleagues.

“To have the years of dedication and hard work that Stud and Stable Staff put in to the sport acknowledged simply by a nomination is a tremendous gift, not to mention the £120,000 of prizes generously supplied once again by Godolphin for those who reach the final shortlists.

“The nomination process is quick and easy and the rewards are there for all to see, so we hope that the Racing industry will continue to support these wonderful awards by nominating those many who go the extra mile for the love of the sport.”