Colm O'Rourke to present racing awards

Colm O'Rourke will present the  the trophies at the 2018 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards at Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim on Monday 21st May.

Colm will join MC Racing Post in Ireland editor Richard Forristal in front of an audience made up of the finalists in each of the 10 categories, their families, work colleagues and representatives of all sectors of the Irish racing and breeding industry as the prestigious event is hosted in Meath for the first time.

“I know the vital importance the backroom team play in all areas of sport, none more so than in racing and breeding. Irish stud and stable staff are the centre-field and the engine that drive the entire industry. Their hard work, dedication in all weather and unique horsemanship skills has significantly contributed to Irish racing and breeding’s global reputation around the world. I’m really looking forward to meeting all the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards finalists in Knightsbrook on Monday 21st May," commented the two-time Keeagn Cup winning Simonstown Gaels manager.

Colm O’Rourke is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of GAA football, his league and championship career with the Meath senior team spanning 20 years from 1975 to 1995. 

Principal of St Pat’s in Navan, Colm has worked with RTÉ as a studio analyst on the Sunday Game for over 25 years and also writes a weekly column for the Sunday Independent.
 
Twenty-four finalists have been shortlisted for eight of the ten award categories, which carry total prize-money of €84,000, an increase of €4,500 from 2017.  The finalists were shortlisted from almost 350 nominations received, the highest number of nominations received since Godolphin’s sponsorship of the awards began in 2015.
  
FINALISTS
 
Racing and Breeding Support Services
Martin Leahy, Master Farrier, Bruff, Co Limerick 
Sharon O'Regan, Head of Operations, Weatherbys Ireland GSB Ltd, Co Kildare
Martin 'Snowy' Pearce, Facilities Manager, Punchestown Racecourse, Co Kildare
 
Administration Award
Gillian Carey, Operations Manager, Fairyhouse Racecourse, Co Meath
Denis Hickey, Racing Secretary, Ballydoyle, Co Tipperary
Vicki McWey, Supervisor Registrations Department, Horse Racing Ireland, Co Kildare
 
Newcomer Award 
Georgie Benson, Stable Lass, Gordon Elliott, Co Meath
Joanne Eaton, Stable Lass, Willie McCreery, Co Kildare
Charlie Sweeney, Pupil Assistant/Second Head Lad, Eyrefield House Stud, Co Kildare
 
Horse Care Award 
Emma Connolly, Travelling Head Lass / Assistant Trainer, Noel Meade, Co Meath
Mary Nugent, Travelling Assistant, Gordon Elliott, Co Meath
Sinead O'Sullivan, Head Girl, John Murphy, Co Cork
 
In The Saddle Award 
Audrey O'Neill, Exercise Rider & Groom, John Oxx, Co Kildare
James Rath, Head Lad, Liz Doyle, Co Wexford
Josep Sans Sanchez, Head Man, PJ Prendergast, Co Kildare
 
Travelling Head Person Award
Tina Evans, Travelling Head Person, Joseph O’Brien, Co Kilkenny
Jason Forsyth, Travelling Head Person, John Oxx, Co Kildare
Camilla Sharples, Travelling Head Girl, Gordon Elliott, Co Meath
 
Leads by Example Award 
Tom Daly, Assistant Head Man, Dermot Weld, Co Kildare
Valerie Keatley, Head Girl, Johnny Murtagh, Co Kildare
Stephen Thorne, Assistant Trainer, Adrian McGuinness, Co Dublin
 
Dedication to Racing and Breeding Award
Pat Farrell, Broodmare Manager, Moyglare Stud, Co Kildare
Eamonn Leigh, Headman, Jessica Harrington, Co Kildare
Tommy Ryan, Head Lad, Edward O’Grady, Co Tipperary