2024 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Announced in the U.S.
The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, now in its ninth year in the United States, concluded this evening during an awards ceremony in the sales pavilion at Keeneland Racecourse. Winners were announced in a total of seven categories with a total of $122,000 awarded. Todd Schrupp, FanDuel TV analyst, served as the master of ceremonies.
Tom Law, Managing Editor of the Saratoga Special and this year’s judging panels chair, commented, “This is my fourth year on the judging panels and each year I am truly inspired and moved by the special individuals who sincerely care for our industry and our equine athletes. To all the finalists, as well as all of the nominees, please know that we appreciate you and what you do.”
The full list of winners, finalists and runners-up are as follows:
Katherine McKee Administration Award, sponsored by Keeneland
Winner: Lauren Marks (Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company)
Finalists: Deeann Ruppert (Claiborne Farm), Tia Murphy (Turfway Park)
Runners-up: Gretchen Feld (Lane’s End Farm & David Ingordo), Tiffany Leggett (1/ST Racing)
Support Services Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing
Winner: Cass Dewey (Desert Oasis Rescue)
Finalists: Keith and Joy Cooper (Cooper Horse Transport), Vicki Tomlinson (Churchill Downs)
Runners-up: Justine “Tina” Elam (Hagyard Equine Medical InstituteCon), Kevin Moran (Keeneland Association)
Dedication to Breeding Award, sponsored by Hallway Feeds
Winner: Steve Vargas (Bridlewood Farm)
Finalists: Francisco “Poncho” Sanchez (Craig Wheeler Thoroughbreds, Inc.), Sue Hooper (Havens Oaks Farm)
Runners-up: Abel Garibay (C&S Thoroughbreds), Christine Sgorrano (Sugar Plum Farm, LLC)
Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by the NTRA
Winner: Milver Martinez (Brendan Walsh Racing)
Finalists: Erma Lee Scott (William I. Mott Racing), Francisco D’Angelo (D’Angelo Racing Team)
Runners-up: Darquin “Darwin” Aguilar-Valenzuela (Brad H. Cox Racing Stables, LLC), Lee Vickers (Christophe Clement Racing Stable)
Managerial Award, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
Winner: Christine Jones (Pleasant Acres Stallions)
Finalists: Jack Sadler (Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners), Stuart Angus (Taylor Made Farm)
Runners-up: Lauren Eads (Watercress Farm), Debbie Ward (Safari North Farm)
Newcomer Award, sponsored by NYRA
Winner: Julianne Stowell (Niall Brennan Stables)
Finalists: Demetrio Rabadan (Christophe Clement Racing Stable), Katie Petrunyak (Thoroughbred Daily News)
Runners-up: Nicole Dreiling (Bel-Mar Farm), Ethan Fry (O’Sullivan Farms)
Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs
Winner: Nancy LaSala (PDJF)
Finalists: Bob Miller (Ocala Farm Ministry), Joel Helmburg (TRF at Blackburn Correctional Facility)
Runners-up: Melanie Case (Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy), Christian Countzler (Stable Recovery)
Notes to editors:
1. The Awards are primarily 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, FanDuel, Real Players Inside the Backstretch, Agentes 305 and DRF Espanol.
2. This year the awards received additional monetary and collateral support from category sponsors NYRA, 1/ST Racing, Keeneland, Hallway Feeds, NTRA, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, and Churchill Downs.
3. The winners of the Managerial, Breeding and Racing, the Support Services, Administration and Community categories will receive a prize of $7,500 to the winner. Two finalists are each awarded $3,500. Separate from the winner and two finalists, two runners-up receive $2,000 each.
4. The winner of the Newcomer Award will receive $5,000. Two finalists are each awarded $2,500. Two Runners-up receive $1,000 each.
For more information, please visit the website: TIEA.org
