Top award for Damien McGillick

Local man Damien McGillick was an award winner at the the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards when the 12th annual ceremony was held last night at the Dunraven Arms Hotel in Adare, Limerick where Daithi Ó Sé presented the awards and Jonathan Mullin, Irish Editor of the Racing Post, was MC for the occasion.

McGillick is assistant-trainer to Noel Meade and won the Leadership Award category from some strong opposition that included Sally Carroll who is the Student Liaison Officer at the Irish National Stud and James Mahon who is Head Stallion Man at Derrinstown Stud.

Awards were presented in 10 categories and for McGillick there was the trophy and €5,000 with an additional €4,000 for employees from the yard. The two runners-up in the category each received €500.

James O’Neill, who is assistant-trainer to John Oxx, won the Irish Racing Excellence Award and was also the winner of the Dedication to Racing award, was selected by the judging panel from among five finalists who were all individual category winners.

Brian Kavanagh, CEO of Horse Racing Ireland, John Ferguson, Chief Executive and Racing Manager of Godolphin, champion jockeys Ruby Walsh and Pat Smullen, champion amateur jockey Patrick Mullins, BoyleSports Irish Grand National-winning jockey, Ger Fox and trainers Noel Meade and John Oxx were also there last night for the important event.

 

WINNERS (RUNNERS UP)

Irish Racing Excellence Award
James O’Neill, Assistant Trainer, John Oxx

Leadership Award
Damien McGillick, Assistant Trainer, Noel Meade
(Runners-up: Sally Carroll, Student Liaison Officer, Irish National Stud and James Mahon, Head Stallion Man, Derrinstown Stud)

Head Lad/Girl - Travelling Head Lad/Girl
Dick Dowling, Head Lad, Willie Mullins
(Runners-up: Deirdre McCurtin, Head Girl, John Kiely and Deirdre Ryan, Head Girl, John Ryan)

Rider/Groom Award
Sonny Carey, Work Rider, Willie Mullins
(Runners-up: Jeff Byrne, Rider/Groom, Dermot Weld and Martin Deegan, Yard Manager/Groom, Ballydoyle)

Stud Employee Award
Nuala Healy, Manager, Ballincurrig House Stud
(Runners-up: Mick Conroy, Stud Groom/Head Lad, Eyrefield House Stud and Mick Ryan, Head Stud Groom/Yard Manager, Derrinstown Stud)

Administration Award
Martina Murphy-Dunne, Racing Secretary, Dermot Weld
(Runners-up: Pauline Byrne, Office Manager, Derrinstown Stud and Denis Hickey, Racing Secretary, Ballydoyle)

Dedication to Racing Award
James O’Neill, Assistant Trainer, John Oxx

Newcomer Award
Lorna Buggle, Head Girl, Dick Brabazon

Ancillary Services Award
Kathleen Hanratty, Grooms’ Canteen, the Curragh Racecourse

Racecourse Award
Dundalk Stadium