The final ten candidates remaining in each category of The Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards have today been announced, following yet another year of bumper entries. As with previous years, both the quantity and quality of nominees presented a great challenge for the select British Horseracing Authority judges responsible for compiling the shortlists.

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

“The calibre of the nominees was exceptionally high yet again this year, and our team faced the near-impossible task of deciding between nominees who all show the utmost enthusiasm, dedication and talent in their work every single day of the year.”

“Whilst it was no easy feat, we are satisfied that the ten long-listed nominees in each category are some of the true stars of the sport, and pass our sincere congratulations on to all of those nominated.”

The process will now be passed on to the Judging Panel, chaired once again by Brough Scott and also featuring Dinah Nicholson, Ian Balding, David Redvers, Judith Allen and Pat Eddery. They will have the unenviable task of reviewing the shortlists, including an interview with each nominee, before deciding on three finalists within each category.

These finalists will each be invited, along with a guest, to attend a judging day on Sunday 26^th February, where the Panel will finally decide the winner of each category, along with the winner of the overall ‘Employee of the Year’ Award. The finalists will also attend the prestigious Awards Ceremony itself at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel in Knightsbridge the following day, Monday 27^th February, where the winners shall be announced and presented with their prizes by Champion Jockey Paul Hanagan.

Nominations for the NASS Special Merit Award will be judged separately by the NASS Executive Council, with the winner also being announced at the Awards Ceremony.