Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Finalists Named; Ceremony Set For Oct. 15

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.

After a successful virtual Awards Ceremony in 2020, TIEA is excited to welcome the finalists in each of the six categories, along with Nick Caras and Diana Pinones, to an in-person Awards Ceremony held at Keeneland on Friday, Oct. 15, in Lexington, Ky. 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 shortlist judging panel, the first of the two judging panels, met on Tuesday, Aug. 17, to determine the finalists in each category as well as the Community Award winner and runner-up. The second and final stage of judging will be conducted as in person interviews with each finalist on Oct. 14.

“From my experience last year on the final judging panel, I knew coming in how tough this was going to be,” said Panel Chair Dr. David Richardson. “Determining 20 finalists from almost two hundred nominations was no easy task, but what a rewarding experience it was to learn about these nominees who have dedicated their livelihoods to the sport we all love. While difficult decisions were made in order to narrow down what is a most impressive field, I think all will see from the list of finalists that we are blessed with an incredible workforce in our industry.

“These awards are incredibly important to our industry and sport. Now more than ever as we navigate a workforce shortage across the country, these awards are an opportunity to recognize and reward the industry's most steadfast individuals. This judging panel took that to heart in determining this year's finalists.

“Thank you to all of the nominators for taking the time to recognize the hardworking people in their lives. I'd also like to thank the National HBPA, TOBA, The Jockey Club, Breeders' Cup, and Godolphin, without whose underwriting and support these awards would not be possible to implement. Lastly, a heartfelt thanks to our media partners – BloodHorse, TDN, Daily Racing Form, TVG, Paulick Report and Fox Sports – for helping to spread the reach of the awards.”

The shortlist panel was composed of Chair, Dr. David Richardson, UofL Chief of Surgery, Louisville Ky.; Jane Buchanan, Bloodstock Agent & Racing Manager, Lexington Ky.; Mindy Coleman, Counsel, Jockey's Guild, Lexington, Ky; and Tom Law, Managing Editor, ST Publishing, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Their meeting was hosted by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

This year seven industry organizations came on board as title sponsors of individual award categories with the goal to help spread the reach and impact of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards.

This year also saw the addition of the Support Services Award category to recognize those in the industry who may not work hands on with horses. With the addition of this category, TIEA has the opportunity to recognize and reward more outstanding talent, diligence and commitment at the heart of our sport.

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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.

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

 

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TOBA Names Officers, Five New Trustees To Board

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association announced today the re-election of Brant Laue as chairman of its Board of Trustees. Also joining Laue on the Board of Trustees to serve three-year terms as new members are Shannon Bishop Arvin, Jeffrey Bloom, Marette Farrell, Dr. J. David Richardson and Stephen Screnci.

Re-elected to three-year terms were current trustees Robert Devlin, Terry Finley, Brant Laue, Bernard McCormack, Charlie O'Connor and Garrett O'Rourke.

“I am honored to serve another term as chair with this board of trustees,” Laue said. “Our great sport has overcome many obstacles and difficulties in the past, and with their help and support we will again.”

Following its annual members meeting, the TOBA Board of Trustees met to elect officers for the association. Officers named for 2020-2021 are: Brant Laue, chairman, David O'Farrell, vice-chairman, Dan Metzger, president; Doug Cauthen, secretary; and Greg Bensel, treasurer.

The TOBA Board also approved the reappointment of Craig Bernick to the American Graded Stakes Committee. The 2020-2021 committee is comprised of TOBA members Everett Dobson (chair), Barbara Banke, Reynolds Bell, Jr., Craig Bernick, Walker Hancock, and J. Michael O'Farrell and racing officials Kevin Greely (Indiana Grand), Steve Lym (Santa Anita Park), Ben Huffman (Churchill Downs and Keeneland), Martin Panza (NYRA) and Thomas Robbins (Del Mar).

TOBA, based in Lexington, Ky., was formed in 1961 and is a national trade organization of leading Thoroughbred breeders and owners. TOBA's mission is to improve the economics, integrity and pleasure of the sport on behalf of Thoroughbred owners and breeders. Projects managed by TOBA include the American Graded Stakes Committee, Claiming Crown, Ownership Seminars, Breeding, Conformation & Pedigree Clinics, TOBA Owners Concierge and the Sales Integrity Program. TOBA, in collaboration with The Jockey Club, has also created a free information resource called OwnerView to provide pertinent information to new, prospective and current Thoroughbred owners. TOBA provides international representation for U.S. owners and breeders on the International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee, International Cataloguing Standards Committee and International Breeders Federation. Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA) is the charitable arm of TOBA. TOBA Media Properties, a subsidiary of TOBA, owns The Horse magazine, Eclipse Press and is co-owner of The Blood-Horse LLC. TOBA is represented on the board of directors of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium as founding members.

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