The Thoroughbred Industrial Employee Awards concluded this afternoon during an award ceremony at the Keeneland Racecourse Sales Booth. Winners were announced in a total of seven categories with a total prize money of $122,000. Frank Mirahmadi, broadcaster at Santa Anita and Saratoga Racecourses, served as host of the ceremonies. The full list of winners and runners-up is as follows:
Newcomer Award, sponsored by NYRA
Winner: Johnathan Estrada, Groom, David Donk
(Runner-up: Charles Churchill, Ed Brown Society and 1/ST Racing Intern, Stronach Group; Maddie Rowland, Apprentice Jockey Monmouth Park, Elizabeth Merryman nominated)
Support Services Award, sponsored by I Am Horse Racing
Winner: Laura Scheer, Crossing Guard, New York Racing Association
(Runner-up: Tim Tullock, Jr., Compliance Officer, Jockey Club Maryland; Walter Johnson, Travel Agent, Protravel International)
Katherine McKee Governance Award Sponsored by Keeneland
Winner: Darla Shoemaker Gaige, Office Administrator, Charles Town HBPA
(Runner-up: Angela Ramsey, Chief Financial Officer and Human Resources, Sequel Holdings; Blair Eads, Director of Manufacturing and Marketing, Equix)
Contribution to Breeding Award sponsored by Hallway Feeds
Winner: Don Jenkins, Groom, Darby Dan Farm
(Runner-up: Danny Mitchell, Foaling Manager, Denali Stud; Steve Holbrook, Assistant Manager, Coolmore America)
Dedication to Racing, sponsored by NTRA
Winner: Felipe Pulido Mendoza, Groom, Richard Mandella Racing
(Runner-up: Alice Clapham, Assistant Coach, Graham Motion Racing; Danny Ramsey, Racer, McPeek Racing Stables)
Leadership Award, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical academy
Winner: Leanna Willaford, Assistant Coach, Bill Mott
(Runner-up: Anne Eberhardt-Keogh, Director of Imaging, BloodHorse Publishing; Matthew Zehnder, Horse Resources Coordinator, University of Kentucky Maine Opportunity Ranch)
Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs
Winner: Jessica Hammond, Violence Director and Mentor & Program Administrator for Beyond the Wire, Georganne Hale, Nominee
Runner-up: Dr. Kyle Roper, Regional Medical Director, CHI St. Vincent
