TIEA Award Winners Announced

The winner of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards were announced via a virtual ceremony Thursday, hosted by Studio 46 Media in Lexington, Kentucky. Jill Byrne, Vice President of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs, was once again the master of ceremonies. The Awards are sponsored by Godolphin in partnership with the National HBPA, TOBA, The Jockey Club, and Breeders’ Cup. Media partners are the TDN, BloodHorse Publications, Daily Racing Form, The Paulick Report, Fox Sports and TVG.

Jimmy Bell, President of Godolphin in America commented, “The Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone’s lives in so many ways. But in our industry, we are all very fortunate to have an enormous group of talented and dedicated frontline workers who have continued their hard work, often requiring endless hours, to provide the care for our equine athletes. The Thoroughbred business could not function without them and we truly appreciate what they do.”

The full list of winners is as follows:

Administration Award

Winner: Dionne Johnson, Business Manager, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association, Inc. (NYTHA)

(Runners-up: Lynelle Fox Smith, Executive Director, Oregon Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; Michele Holbrook, Office Manager, Silver Springs Stud)

 

Dedication to Breeding Award

Winner: Helen Otero, Stallion Administrator, Coolmore America

(Runners-up: David Kyle, Plant Manager, Fasig-Tipton Company, Inc.; Steve Avery, General Farm Manager, Taylor Made Sales Agency)

 

Dedication to Racing Award

Winner: Gregory Smothers, Head Rider, Niall Brennan Stables

(Runners-up: Marcelo Arenas, Assistant Trainer, Leah Gyarmati Stables; Patrick “Shawn” Autry, Assistant Stable Manager, McPeek Racing)

 

Leadership in Breeding Award

Winner: Wayne Clem, Assistant Yearling Manager, Claiborne Farm

(Runners-up: Matt Lyons, VP and COO, Candy Meadows Farm; Christy Holden, General Manager, Country Life Farm LLP)

Leadership in Racing Award

Winner: Carmen McShane, Assistant Trainer, D/M Racing

(Runners-up: Roy Smith, Track Superintendent, Indiana Grand Racing and Casino; Cindy Hutter, Assistant Trainer, George Weaver Racing)

 

Newcomer Award

Winner: Aaron West, Racing Operations Manager, Bradley Thoroughbreds LLC

(Runners-up: Robert Cole, Intern/Co-op Program Student, Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association; Alexis Kolasa, Administrative Assistant, Denali Stud)

 

Community Award

Winner: Maria Cristina Silva, Backstretch Program Coordinator, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association

The post TIEA Award Winners Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Thoroughred Industry Employee Awards Winners Announced Thursday

The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, now in its fifth year in the United States, concluded Thursday afternoon with winners being announced via a virtual awards ceremony hosted by Studio 46 Media in Lexington, Kentucky. Jill Byrne, Vice President of Racing Operations at Colonial Downs, was once again the master of ceremonies.

Jimmy Bell, President of Godolphin in America commented: “The Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone's lives in so many ways. But in our industry, we are all very fortunate to have an enormous group of talented and dedicated frontline workers who have continued their hard work, often requiring endless hours, to provide the care for our equine athletes. The Thoroughbred business could not function without them and we truly appreciate what they do.”

Dan Metzger, President of the Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, said: “It doesn't matter if we celebrate the achievements of these outstanding individuals in person or through a virtual platform, we are still reminded how important they are to the Thoroughbred industry. Their passion and commitment cannot be understated, nor can we say and do enough to show our appreciation. Metzger further commented, “And on behalf of TOBA, the Breeders' Cup, The Jockey Club and the HBPA, thank you to Godolphin for asking us to be a part of such an important program that rewards these fine men and women for their significant contributions to our great sport.”

The recording of the Virtual Ceremony is available at www.tiea.org. The full list of winners and runners-up is as follows:

Administration Award
Winner: Dionne Johnson, Business Manager, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Inc. (NYTHA)
(Runners-up: Lynelle Fox Smith, Executive Director, Oregon Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association; Michele Holbrook, Office Manager, Silver Springs Stud)

Dedication to Breeding Award
Winner: Helen Otero, Stallion Administrator, Coolmore America
(Runners-up: David Kyle, Plant Manager, Fasig-Tipton Company, Inc.; Steve Avery, General Farm Manager, Taylor Made Sales Agency)

Dedication to Racing Award
Winner: Gregory Smothers, Head Rider, Niall Brennan Stables
(Runners-up: Marcelo Arenas, Assistant Trainer, Leah Gyarmati Stables; Patrick “Shawn” Autry, Assistant Stable Manager, McPeek Racing)

Leadership in Breeding Award
Winner: Wayne Clem, Assistant Yearling Manager, Claiborne Farm
(Runners-up: Matt Lyons, VP and COO, Candy Meadows Farm; Christy Holden, General Manager, Country Life Farm LLP)

Leadership in Racing Award
Winner: Carmen McShane, Assistant Trainer, D/M Racing
(Runners-up: Roy Smith, Track Superintendent, Indiana Grand Racing and Casino; Cindy Hutter, Assistant Trainer, George Weaver Racing)

Newcomer Award
Winner: Aaron West, Racing Operations Manager, Bradley Thoroughbreds LLC
(Runners-up: Robert Cole, Intern/Co-op Program Student, Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association; Alexis Kolasa, Administrative Assistant, Denali Stud)

Community Award
Winner: Maria Cristina Silva, Backstretch Program Coordinator, New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association

The post Thoroughred Industry Employee Awards Winners Announced Thursday appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Silver Springs Stud’s Michele Holbrook Named Finalist for Administration Award

Congratulations to Michele Holbrook, one of three finalists in the Administration Award category of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA), presented by Godolphin. Currently the office manager at Silver Springs Stud, Holbrook grew up showing Appaloosas and Quarter Horses in 4-H Horse and Pony Club in her home state of Indiana. She joined Steve Johnson, owner of Silver Springs, in 1997 during his long tenure at Margaux Farm and has continued working for him ever since through his acquisition of Silver Springs.

“I attribute [Holbrook’s] behind-the-scenes work as the glue that has enabled our farm to withstand so many of the ups and downs we’ve experienced over the last 30 years she has worked for me,” said Johnson.

Click for the video feature on Holbrook done by TIEA.

Other finalists for the Administration Award are Lynnelle Fox Smith of Oregon Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (OTOBA) and Dionne Johnson of New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), who will be recognized on these pages tomorrow. The Administration Award is presented annually to an individual in an administrative role in the racing or breeding industry or to someone in a support service within the Thoroughbred industry.

A total of seven award categories will be honored by TIEA for 2020. Maria Cristina Silva of NYTHA has already been announced as the winner of the Community Award, while the winners in the other categories will be announced live in a virtual ceremony hosted by Jill Byrne and streamed at the TDN homepage Thursday, Nov. 5, at 12:00 p.m. ET. All finalists will be spotlighted in TDN in the days leading up to the ceremony.

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OTOBA’s Lynnelle Fox Smith Named Finalist for Administration Award

Congratulations to Lynnelle Fox Smith, one of three finalists in the Administration Award category of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA), presented by Godolphin. Currently the executive director of the Oregon Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (OTOBA), Fox Smith began with the organization in 2010 and is now the sole employee. Fox Smith has also represented OTOBA at the state government level and acquired grant funding for safety and education within the racing industry.

“The OTOBA’s board of directors look upon [Fox Smith] as the glue that holds our organization together,” said OTOBA president Gay Welliver. “As the industry within the state of Oregon has changed, [she] has become the linchpin for Thoroughbred owners and breeders throughout the state.”

Click for the video feature on Fox Smith done by TIEA.

Other finalists for the Administration Award are Michele Holbrook of Silver Springs Stud and Dionne Johnson of New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (NYTHA), who will be recognized on these pages in the coming days. The Administration Award is presented annually to an individual in an administrative role in the racing or breeding industry or to someone in a support service within the Thoroughbred industry.

A total of seven award categories will be honored by TIEA for 2020. Maria Cristina Silva of NYTHA has already been announced as the winner of the Community Award, while the winners in the other categories will be announced live in a virtual ceremony hosted by Jill Byrne and streamed at the TDN homepage Thursday, Nov. 5, at 12:00 p.m. ET. All finalists will be spotlighted in TDN in the days leading up to the ceremony.

The post OTOBA’s Lynnelle Fox Smith Named Finalist for Administration Award appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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