PADDY Duffy received a standing ovation at this week’s Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, supported by Godolphin, when the 83-year-old was named winner of the Irish Racing Excellence Award.

Assistant to his son Shane, who trains in Errill, Co Laois, Paddy has worked in racing for 70 years, starting out in 1954 as a young teenager with Curragh trainer Hubert Hartigan.

Over the years Paddy was a mentor to many young riders including Jamie Spencer, Robert Winston, Tadhg O’Shea, James Graham, P.J. McDonald, Wayne Lordan and Eddie Ahern – many of them still keep in touch with him.

Incredibly, Paddy is still riding out (when the boss is not looking) and retains all of his enthusiasm for going racing, especially if they have a fancied runner.

On Monday evening in the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge, Paddy was one of eight award winners to receive a distinctive Ani Mollereau-designed trophy, €4,000 for himself and €2,500 for his stable. Paddy received an additional €5,000 as the overall ‘Excellence’ winner.

Described by MC Richard Forristal of the Racing Post as Irish racing’s Peter Pan, Paddy said: “Racing has been my life. In 1954 I rode a horse named Tale Of Two Cities around the parade ring in the Curragh before he finished third in the Irish Derby. That’s how I started and it progressed from there.

“I never thought I would be considered for an award like this. I am more than grateful to everybody.”

Niall Amond is one of the best-known faces in Irish racing thanks to his role as travelling head lad for Jessica Harrington. Affectionately known as Bubba to all, Niall was honoured with an award for his tireless efforts, notably his dedication to animal welfare.

Presenting the award, Mrs Harrington said: “Bubba is a terrific person to have on the team. He has a lot to do even before he gets the horses on the lorry. He has travelled the world with horses for me and gets them there on time and in top condition.”

Niall added: “There’s something different every day, that’s the great thing about it. This industry can take you places – all you need is a passport.”

Niko Jenjic fills the same role for trainers Tracey Collins and Michael Halford, and he also received an award.

From Croatia, Niko and his wife Tajana arrived in Ireland in 2016 with a dream to work with horses. Given an opportunity by Michael Halford, Niko quickly settled into the role and has thrived.

Not only is Niko exceptional at turning out a horse, he is also able to break them in and is very patient with difficult horses.

Michael Halford said: “Niko is a very cool, safe pair of hands, which was particularly helpful this year with the change to a new yard.” Tracey Collins added: “He is a dedicated guy, calming, meticulous and a gentleman.”

Also honoured for her outstanding work in travelling horses was Ciara Robinson from the Ado McGuinness yard.

Ciara took A Case Of You to Paris in 2022 when he won the Prix de l’Abbaye and she is as comfortable in Doha or Del Mar as she is in Dundalk.

“I’m just so grateful to work with horses every day and to see the world,” Ciara said. “I am so appreciative that my passion and my job have aligned. Ado and [assistant] Stephen [Thorne] send a lot of horses abroad, so I get the opportunity to travel.”

Elliott double

Caitriona Bolger and Alex Hutter from the Gordon Elliott yard both won awards.

Barn manager Caitriona has been part of the team for eight years. Her outgoing and friendly personality makes her an ideal person to train up younger staff members and she is always trying to upgrade her own skills and qualifications, such as in first aid and horsebox driving. Caitriona has also enjoyed success in retraining retired racehorses.

“Most people who do our work have a love for horses. The horses in my barn are my life – some of them are with me for up to six years and I never miss any of their races.

“Mount Ida was one of mine and it was a special day when I led her and Jack Kennedy up to win at Cheltenham.”

Alex has been working for Gordon for six years and she is the trainer’s personal assistant as well as racing secretary.

Her job entails rostering close to 100 staff, keeping over 80 owners informed, entries, declarations and maintaining the trainer’s daily diary. And that’s only half of it!

She said: “Gordon is very good to work with. He has given me a lot of opportunities I mightn’t have got in another yard. Just to be nominated for an award is a massive thing. It’s lovely to be appreciated and to be recognised.”

Nicole Kent received one of the biggest cheers of the night when she stepped forward to receive an award for her achievements as racing secretary for the Henry de Bromhead yard.

Having moved from Lincolnshire to Ireland in 2001, Nicole held various roles before settling into her current position nine years ago. She still rides out before starting her ‘day job proper’ which involves a host of enormous responsibilities.

Tales of Nicole’s dedication are legendary. In 2016 she suffered a broken leg which required surgery but still insisted on being brought to the office three days later.

Rachael Blackmore said: “Henry is the boss but his job would be an awful lot harder without Nicole.”

Referring to how Nicole helped the yard to keep operating at its usual high standard in the aftermath of Jack de Bromhead’s death, Rachael said: “Nicole’s attitude and conduct over the past 12 months have been incredible to see. The past year would have been very different if she wasn’t there.”

Newcomer

Rachael Blackmore was named as an inspirational figure by award winner Natalie Bradley, yard supervisor at Eoin Griffin’s yard in Slieverue, Co Kilkenny.

“Seeing Rachael leading the way gave me the push to get into racing,” said the young Wexford woman. “I went to the Racing Academy and then I worked with Paul and James Nolan, who taught me loads. I’d love to ride a winner someday.”

TWO years ago Dr Jennifer Pugh received a Special Recognition Award at this event to acknowledge the role the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board’s senior medical officer played in keeping racing going during Covid.

This year Dr Pugh stepped forward to nominate the team at Henry de Bromhead’s yard for the same award, having witnessed at first-hand how the staff at Knockeen Stables pulled together to help each other and the de Bromhead family cope with the tragic loss of young Jack de Bromhead in September 2022.

“They have shown a shoulder-to-the-wheel attitude, professionalism, work ethic, team spirit, kindness and strength that is simply incredible,” read the citation. “Big race successes came as the season progressed and the team shone in their response, yet were always dignified and respectful in their manner.

“The Knockeen team are professional, committed and hardworking, dedicated to the horses in their care and amazing ambassadors for our sport.”

On Monday some 24 members of the team were called to the stage to receive the Special Recognition Award. Assistant trainer Davy Roche said: “It was a horrific time - and it still is difficult - but the people in this yard were absolutely amazing.”

Honeysuckle helped keep spirits up, he said, and the mare he described as “Mrs Dependable” gave the yard – and the entire racing community – a much-needed lift when she won at Cheltenham last March in what was her final racecourse appearance. Head man Brian Scott remarked: “I am sure Jack would be very proud and happy to see how the yard has kept going through such difficult times.”

MORE OVERLEAF >>

BALLINROBE Racecourse is consistently recognised as a leader in customer service and raceday experience.

It was no surprise to learn that track manager John Flannelly, his team and his race committee also excel in looking after stable staff, which was recognised on Monday with the Racecourse Award and €2,500.

Bernard Caldwell, CEO of the Irish Stablestaff Association, said: “Ballinrobe are exceptional to work with. The management is fantastic. They give us what we ask for, they have upgraded the stableyard and they are working on a new canteen which will be ready next year.”

Racecourse chairman Michael Burke said: “We’re delighted to get this award. With John and his wife Anne at the helm in Ballinrobe, everyone knows everything is done to perfection.”

John said: “When you raise your standards to a certain height, you have to keep them there. We are building a new canteen for stable staff and trainers and we’re also increasing the facilities for jockeys.

Travel

“We appreciate that all these people here have to travel a long way to come to Ballinrobe so we like to have things right for them and make their stay enjoyable.

Sean O’Connell said “Many times people who come in through the front gate don’t realise the hard work and dedication of the people who work in the industry, the stable staff who are being honoured here tonight.

“We’re humbled and grateful for their appreciation of our efforts.”

MARTIN Heydon TD, Minister for State at the Department of Agriculture, was the special guest at the awards.

“Racing is a sport we all love but the Government considers it an industry because of the 16,000 people it employs across every county in the country,” he said. “None of the success in Irish racing would be possible without the people who work in racing yards. They have huge responsibilities and it is brilliant to see that recognised.”

Suzanne Eade, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, added: “Equuip uses the expression “the people behind the moment” and these are the people who are behind the moments in our great industry.”

This was the eighth year these awards have been supported by Godolphin. Joe Osborne, managing director of Godolphin Ireland, said: “Each of tonight’s eight individual winners brings dedication and enthusiasm to their industry roles and, by doing so, brings success to their employers, care to their horses and motivation to their colleagues. We congratulate each of them on the achievement of being selected.”

Instrumental

He thanks the judging committee of Michael O’Rourke, Avril Finlay, Ger Flynn, Cathy-Ann Hazzard, Nessa Joyce, Hannah Marks, Michael O’Donoghue and Meta Osborne. He also thanked Barbara White of HRI for her event management and Sandra Hughes, ambassador for the awards and instrumental in encouraging trainers to make nominations.

Incidentally, it was noted that there were no award winners from the breeding world this year. Perhaps it was a quirk which will be rectified next year or perhaps it was due to a lack of nominations by stud owners.

Michael O’Rourke said: “Every year the standard of nominee goes up. As Joe Osborne said earlier, the words quality, commitment, dedication and love for the horse come to the fore. We often talk about the people behind the scenes and the lovely thing about these awards is that they bring those people forward. They are excellent people.”