Valérie, who also won the Leadership Award for Stable Employees and was among eight winners in individual categories, was selected by the selection committee for the highest honor.

Valerie joined Johnny Murtagh’s shortly after setting up his training business and Johnny credits his contribution as one of the reasons the yard has steadily progressed on an upward curve over the past few years.

Valérie’s wealth of knowledge and experience, her passion for horses and her mentoring of young employees really impressed the judging committee. It was evident from Valerie’s appointment that she sets and leads the standard for the court and the judges commended her for her dedication to her work, the horses in her care and her exceptional work ethic.

Irish Racing Excellence Award and Leadership Stable Award winner Valerie Keatley said: “I eat, sleep and breathe horses, so it was a huge honor to be nominated and chosen as one of the finalists. Winning the Leadership Stable Award and then winning the Irish Racing Excellence Award is just amazing – I’m over the moon, especially when I’ve been nominated along with all the other brilliant finalists and winners this year.

Helen O’Sullivan Career Coach at the Irish Jockeys’ Trust in County Kildare won the Racing & Breeding Support Services Award. Helen has spent her entire career supporting the Irish racing industry, was instrumental in shaping the educational aspects of RACE and has devoted many years to helping aspiring jockeys reach their full potential.

Anne O’Connor, Michael Halford’s racing secretary won the administration award. Anne has experienced and gained knowledge of many facets of the thoroughbred world through her roles with Goffs, the ITBA and charitable work for the industry. With Michael Halford since 2014, Anne has brought her extensive experience and skills to Cooper Beech Stables.

The Newcomer Award went to Keith Lynam, Stud Groom at Ringfort Stud in County Offaly. Keith started working at Ringfort Stud in September 2017. He was a very newcomer to the world of breeding having previously worked in the hospitality industry. He quickly became a very important part of the Ringfort team and has a perfect knowledge of the breeding of the farm. Keith’s contribution and work ethic during the 2018 foaling season, which included his handling and preparation for sales, helped Ringfort Stud have their best ever racing year.

The Horse Care Award went to Emmett Raher, head of Henry from Bromhead in County Waterford. Horses in Emmett’s care include Honeysuckle, Minella Indo, and A Plus Tard to name a few. His hard work, dedication, care and attention to detail with these horses, especially Honeysuckle, have helped the yard achieve its many successes in the 2020/2021 national hunting season.

One of the most competitive awards, In The Saddle, went to David Glennon, Stable Lad for Dermot Weld on the Curragh. A RACE graduate, David has worked for Dermot Weld since 1994 after riding in Germany, England and Dubai. He has played an important role in some notable horses over the years, most recently with Tarnawa winning the Prix Vermeille, the Irish St Leger, the Prix de l’Opéra Longines and the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf in the fall. 2020. His contribution and Tarnawa’s care have been essential to the horse’s worldwide success.

Caroline Hannon, manager of Newtown Stud in Naas, County Kildare, won the Leadership Award for stud employees. A graduate in Equine Sciences from the University of Limerick, Caroline demonstrates leadership every day in her role as Director of Newtown Stud. She contributes to the success of the stud and is responsible for leading the stud team in pre-training high performance horses and instills her high standards in the entire stud team, whether in foaling, in preparation for sale. , riding or pre-training.

The winner of the Dedication to Racing award was Ger Brabston, a horse driver for the Derrinstown stud farm in Maynooth, County Kildare. In 1986 Ger followed in his father’s footsteps to work for Vincent O’Brien in Ballydoyle and his longtime career with horses began. He joined the Derrinstown team in 1988 and since then has managed almost all of Sheikh Hamdan’s stock. With over 37 years in thoroughbred racing and breeding, he is a great ambassador for the industry.

A special recognition award was presented to Dr Jennifer Pugh, Chief Medical Officer of the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board to recognize the extraordinary support she and her team have given to the Irish stud and team staff during the suspension of races and since its resumption under restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr Pugh is from Loughbrickland in County Down.

The Irish Stablestaff Association has chosen Tramore Racecourse for the Racecourse Award. The adjudication committee commented on the tremendous efforts made by the County Waterford Track to facilitate and support stable staff, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic, including free hospitality from stable staff and ‘Best Rendered’ awards. »For all races. The winning prize is € 2,500 which is to be used to further modernize the stable staff facilities.

Joe Osborne, Managing Director of Godolphin Ireland, commented: “On behalf of Godolphin and our other sponsors, I congratulate the winners announced today. It’s an inspiring array of talent, dedication and enthusiasm – talents that have helped us all navigate our industry through difficult times. Valerie Keatley deserves special mention as the winner of the Irish Racing Excellence Award. She is a great role model for everyone in our industry and we are delighted that her leadership skills have been credited with this prestigious award by the selection committee.

Bernard Caldwell, CEO of the Irish Stablestaff Association, said: “It is so gratifying to see so many deserving studs and stable staff honored with the prestigious Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards. The level of nominations is getting higher every year, so congratulations to all the finalists and winners. I would like to sincerely thank Godolphin for their generous sponsorship, all who nominated their staff, colleagues and friends, and thank HRI for handling the entire awards ceremony.

Shane O’Dwyer, CEO of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association, said: “The Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards are a wonderful opportunity for the thoroughbred industry to recognize and appreciate all who work in the breeding and racing industries in Ireland. We should be very proud of the dedication and resilience of our committed stud and stable staff, who are at the very heart of our wonderful industry. Congratulations to all the finalists and very deserving winners. “

The 11 prize categories cover € 85,000 in prizes which are distributed among the winners, finalists and their employers. The Newcomer Award winner also receives a trip to Dubai. In addition, the winner of each category receives a trophy specially commissioned by sculptor Ani Mollereau.

The 11 winners and finalists of the 2021 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards are:

Irish Racing Excellence Award
Valerie Keatley, Head Boy, Johnny Murtagh, Co Kildare

Prices for racing and breeding support services
Helen O’Sullivan, Career Coach, Irish Jockeys’ Trust, Co Kildare

The finalists are:
Cathy Healy, Office Manager, Healy Racing Photography, County Kerry
Niall Kennedy, owner of Equestrian Laundry, Co Kildare

Administration Award
Anne O’Connor, Racing Secretary, Michael Halford, Co Kildare

The finalists are:
Aoife Hanratty, stud secretary, Oghill House stud farm, Co Kildare
Marie Rowley, race secretary, Pat Flynn, Co Waterford

Newcomer Award
Keith Lynam, Stud Groom, Ringfort Stud, Co Offaly

The finalists are:
Nicholas Cope, Stud Groom, Ballyphilip Stud, Co Limerick
Kelly Rae, Married, Sarah Lynam, Co Meath

Horse care prices
Emmett Raher, Head Boy, Henry of Bromhead, County Waterford

The finalists are:
Jennifer Breslin, Assistant Broodmares Manager, Ballylinch Stud, Co Kilkenny
George Dobbs, Stud Hand, Staffordstown Stud, Co Meath

In the price of the saddle
David Glennon, Stable Lad, Dermot Weld, Co Kildare

The finalists are:
Ray Michael Cody, Manager, Ray P Cody, Co Kilkenny
Diarmuid Keeling, exercise rider and groom, Willie Mullins, Co Carlow

Leadership Award (Student)
Caroline Hannon, Director, Newtown Stud, Co Kildare

The finalists are:
Brian Delahunt, Stud Groom, Baroda Stud, Co Kildare
Agathe Lebailly, Stud Groom, Kilfrush Stud, Co Limerick

Leadership Award (Stable)
Valerie Keatley, Head Boy, Johnny Murtagh, Co Kildare

The finalists are:
Adrien Bolger, Yard Manager, Jessica Harrington, Co Kildare
Damien Byrne, Team Leader, Joseph O’Brien, County Kilkenny

Race and Breeding Dedication Award
Ger Brabston, horse driver, Derrinstown Stud, Co Kildare

The finalists are:
David Flynn, Tour Leader, Michael Grassick, Co Kildare
Michael Lyons, second man, Mount Coote Stud, Co Limerick

Special recognition award
Dr Jennifer Pugh, Chief Medical Officer, IHRB

Racecourse price
Tramore Racecourse