Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Finalists and Runners-up Announced

The finalists and runners-up for the 2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards have been announced, including three finalists in six of the seven categories.

The winner and runner-up of the seventh category, the Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, have already been decided with Linda Doane of the The Healing Place in Louisville, Kentucky awarded the top prize, and Francisco Torres, with the Backstretch Employee Service Team, placing second.

This year’s awards ceremony will once again be hosted by Keeneland and will take place on Tuesday, October 17th, in Lexington, Kentucky. Finalists and their guest will be provided with travel and accommodations for out-of-town finalists, a tour of a local horse farm, and the ceremony dinner with an afternoon of racing the following day at Keeneland.

The shortlist judging panel, the first of two judging panels, met on Tuesday, August 1st, to determine the finalists and runners-up in each category as well as the Community Award winner and finalist. Their meeting was hosted by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York. The second and final stage of judging will take place on Tuesday, August 17th, when finalists will meet with the judges for in-person interviews.

Panel Chair Tom Law commented, “It’s hard to put into words what it means to be involved with these awards. Everyone in our industry knows someone that works tirelessly, day-in and day-out, to take care of our magnificent two-legged and four-legged friends because they love what they do. The nominees, year-on-year, are a tremendous group, and while we wish we could reward them all, I do hope they feel honored that someone thought enough about them to submit a nomination.”

“I’d also like to thank the National HBPA, TOBA, The Jockey Club, Breeders’ Cup, and Godolphin, without whose underwriting and support these awards would not be possible to implement. Lastly, a heartfelt thanks to our media partners – The Thoroughbred Daily News, BloodHorse Publications, Daily Racing Form, FanDuel, Paulick Report, and America’s Day at the Races – for helping to spread the reach of the awards.”

TIEA was pleased to welcome back category sponsors Hallway Feeds, NTRA, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Keeneland, NYRA, and Churchill Downs, and welcomes first-time sponsor 1/ST Racing.

The winners of the Katherine McKee Administration, Dedication to Breeding, Dedication to Racing, Leadership and Support Services Awards will receive a prize of $7,500, with an additional $1,000 to their farm, stable or organization, with two finalists receiving $2,500 each and $1,000 to their farm, stable or organization as well. For the first time in 2023, separate from the winners and two finalists, two runners-up will receive $2,000 each.

The winner of the Newcomer Award will receive $5,000 with $1,000 going to their farm, stable, or organization. Two finalists will receive $2,500 each, and separate from the winners and two finalists, two runners-up receive $1,000 each.

As the winner of the Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, Linda Doane will receive a prize of $7,500 and an additional prize of $2,500 will be donated to the charity of her choice. Francisco Torres will receive $2,500 as the other finalist in this category, and separate from the winners and finalist, two runners-up receive $1,500 each.

The 2023 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards finalists are:

Katherine McKee Administration Award sponsored by Keeneland

Kelly Danner – Churchill Downs
Samantha McGreevy – Taylor Made Sales Agency
Jamie Bradley – Asmussen Racing

Runners-up
Gwenn Pierce – WB Payson Park LLC
Eleanor Poppe – NY Race Track Chaplaincy

Support Services Award sponsored by 1/ST Racing

Bill Vest – Churchill Downs
Tracy Attfield – TLore
Rita Cutler – NYRA

Runners-up

Raul Gutierrez – Santa Anita Park
Julie Adair – Self

Dedication to Breeding Award sponsored by Hallway Feeds

Jimmy Tate – Winstar Farm
Phillip Hampton – Godolphin
Rafael Zambrano – War Horse Place

Runners-up

Harmon Sullivan – New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program
Abel Garibay – Four Pillars Holdings LLC

Dedication to Racing Award sponsored by National Thoroughbred Racing Association

Laura Tilbury – Todd Pletcher
Kathy Sanchez – Tom Amoss Racing Stable
Moises Morales – Gustavo Delgado

Runners-up

Myra Hall – Herringswell Stables
Carlos Davila – Craig Wheeler

Leadership Award sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute

Lorretta Lusteg – John C. Kimmel
Gene Guy – Glencrest Farm
Manuel Hernandez – Walmac Farm, LLC

Runners-up

Juan Aguilar – Indian Creek
Christine Jones – Pleasant Acres Stallions

Newcomer Award sponsored by New York Racing Association

Deja Robinson – Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital
Sara Gordon – Thoroughbred Daily News
Dominick Merrit – Todd Pletcher

Runners-up

Adrianne Devaux – Cherie Devaux Racing Stable
Susan Kemper – Coolmore America, Ashford Stud

Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award sponsored by Churchill Downs

Winner

Linda Doane, The Healing Place

Runner-up

Francisco Torres, Backstretch Employee Service Team

Runners-up

Merlin Cano – Backside Learning Center
Diana Varon – Keeneland