The Stud And Stable Staff Awards have unveiled the shortlist of nominees for the 2025 edition.
These individuals have been carefully selected by the shortlisting committee led by Mary Capuano for their outstanding contributions and commitment to excellence within the thoroughbred industry.
In certain categories, the quality of nominations was so high that the Shortlisting Committee decided to include additional nominees: six in Admin & Ancillary, six in Horsemanship and seven in the highly competitive Newcomer category.
"Once again, the quality of nominations for the Awards has been exceptional, with a particularly high standard across all categories," Chair of the Stud And Stable Staff Awards shortlisting committee Mary Capuano said.
"Notably, the Newcomer category stood out, as many of the nominees were of school age.
"Now, the judging panel is diving into the tough job of going through the shortlisted nominees to pick out the two finalists. It's a thorough process because all the nominees are so impressive."
A number of Queensland-based participants have been recognised, including Corey McConnell (Horsemanship Award), Darren Gough (Dedication to Racing Award) and Sophie Swain (Administration and Ancillary Award).
Three Queensland Off-The-Track Acknowledged Retrainers – Alex Kelly, Lauren Abbott and Tamara Janus – were acknowledged as part of the Thoroughbred Care and Welfare Award, which also included Racing Hearts founder Lisa Coffey.
With the recent passing of Peter Heagney – an avid advocate and judge of the Awards since its inception – the Steering Committee welcomes Mr Trevor Lobb to the judging panel.
The two finalists for each category for the 2025 Stud And Stable Staff Awards will be announced early April and the ceremony to celebrate these finalists will be on Monday, May 26 2025 at QT Hotel Surfers Paradise.
These Awards are proudly sponsored by Victoria Racing Club, Australian Turf Club, Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT Program), Inglis, Magic Millions, Yulong, Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders and Thouroughbred Breeders NSW.
Congratulations to the following nominees for each category:
Leadership Award (Stud or Stable)
- Ashish Kumar – Bjorn Baker Racing, NSW
- Ben Gunn - Yulong Investments, VIC
- Chris Lambert – Darling View Thoroughbreds, WA
- James Manning – Godolphin Northwood Park, VIC
- Paul Reid – Godolphin Osborne Park, NSW
Horsemanship Award (Stud or Stable)
- Corey McConnell – Freelance/Peak Pulse Therapy, QLD
- Shaun McMillan – Leneva Park, VIC
- Arda Tascioglu – Freelancer, NSW
- Denis Gilmanov - Segenhoe Stud, NSW
- Simon Palmer – Vinery Stud, NSW
- Nathan Tickle – Wild Oaks, NSW
Dedication to Breeding Award
- Diane Colebrook - Armidale Stud, TAS
- Deirdre Foster – Rheinwood Pastoral Co, NSW
- Matt Comerford – Widden, NSW
- Verna Metcalfe – Alma Vale, NSW
- Sorcha Sweeny - Yulong Investments, VIC
Dedication to Racing Award
- Darren Gough – Lindsay Gough Racing, QLD
- Ian Smith – Freelance, NSW
- Jack O’Neil – Thoroughbred Racing, NT
- Timothy Hanley - McEvoy Mitchell Racing, VIC
- Tracy O’Hara – Thoroughbred Industry Careers, NSW
Administration and Ancillary Award (Stud or Stable)
- Anna Ryan – James Harron Bloodstock, NSW
- Ellen Hodge - McEvoy Mitchell Racing, VIC
- Kathie Bakker – Yulong Investments, VIC
- Mary Bowd – Godolphin Woodlands, NSW
- Sophie Swain – Racing Queensland, QLD
- Wayne Massingham – Inglis, NSW
Thoroughbred Care and Welfare Award
- Alex Kelly – Alex Kelly Horsemanship, QLD
- Julie Bramucci – Rafiki Equestrian, VIC
- Lauren Abbott – LA Racing, QLD
- Lisa Coffey – Racing Hearts, QLD
- Tamara Janus – TJ Equine, QLD
Newcomer Award (Stud or Stable)
- Brooke Huppatz – Chris Pollard Stables/Freelance, NT
- Heavenly Balzen – Godolphin Osborne Park, NSW
- Jack Hogan – Clayton Douglas Racing, VIC
- Maddison Edward – Cressfield Stud, NSW
- Mia Helm – Arrowfield Stud, NSW
- Nushish Mungur – Malua Racing, VIC
- Olivia Klug – Michael Kent Racing, VIC