RACING stables staff from Middleham recognised for their skill and commitment have been congratulated by Rishi Sunak MP.
The four staff who were finalists in the 2016 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards included Gemma Hogg, assistant trainer to Micky Hammond, who was named Employee of the Year. She also took the Leadership award.
Gemma received the perpetual Godolphin Trophy from presenter Clare Balding and champion jump jockey Sir Anthony McCoy at an event hosted by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) in partnership with the Racing Post.
She was also presented with a cheque for £40,000, of which £20,000 will be shared among the staff at the Oakwood Stables in Middleham.
Two other staff of Micky Hammond’s – head girl Becky Smith and work rider Lauren Lucas – were nominated for awards along with Raye(cor) Wilkinson, welfare officer for fellow Middleham trainer Mark Johnston.
Mr Sunak, who met the successful finalists at a parliamentary reception in Westminster, said: “It was wonderful to see Middleham-based staff do so well in these awards and I was delighted to celebrate their success with them.
“The racing industry is so important in my constituency so I was pleased to support the awards and add my congratulations to those of others.”
Gemma Hogg has been a member of the Oakwood Stables team since she arrived straight from the Northern Racing College at the age of 17 in 1998.
After just nine years, she became Mr Hammond’s assistant and has excelled in the role ever since. In this time the team has expanded from four staff to a team of 18-plus spread over two yards.
The judges said that as being an exceptional leader and talented horsewoman, Gemma is also extremely passionate about rehoming their retired racehorses and works hard to ensure they go to the best stud and stable staff in the racing industry.
Brough Scott, chairman of the judging panel, said: “Gemma Hogg represents the very essence of vitality, generosity and pragmatism, which are the very best of racing qualities, and will be a fantastic ambassador for the sport.”
The winners of the awards, sponsored by Godolphin and its founder Sheikh Mohammed, were decided at a formal judging day held in the morning before the ceremony at the BHA’s London office, where the finalists were interviewed by members of the judging panel.