Four winners celebrated for their Lifetime in Racing

As part of Racing Staff Week, four members of the racing industry have been recognised for their huge contribution to the sport with Lifetime in Racing Awards, organised by Racing Welfare.

Four regional winners were celebrated from 20-23 October, receiving their trophy at prestigious presentations and enjoying a VIP raceday at Carlisle, Newmarket, Newbury and Cheltenham respectively.

The Lifetime in Racing Awards were set up to celebrate the dedication, commitment, and passion of those horseracing industry employees who have spent a lifetime dedicated to the sport.  All entries went to a judging panel who chose a winner for the North, South, East and West regions of the UK. 

Importantly, the awards are open to all racing industry staff, across all sectors, who have worked in the industry for 30 years or more.  They can have worked in any area of the racing industry including stud and stable staff, racecourse staff, media, administration and all ancillary roles.

East winner Dave Goodwin was recognised at Newmarket, and is a work rider for Chris Dwyer, and started his racing career in 1966 with Ken Oliver. His highlights include breaking in Shergar, and riding and doing 2 derby winners, Commander in Chief and Slip Anchor.

Chris Dwyer said: “His feedback when he gets off a horse is priceless. We are very lucky to have him as a team member.”

West Regional winner was BHA Equine Integrity Officer Mick Turner who was recognised at Cheltenham. 

Mick’s boss, Jeremy said: “Mick has always been a very valued colleague throughout his many years of service as a Stables Integrity Officer to The Jockey Club and the BHA.

“He has the enviable ability to combine strength of integrity to his role, while demonstrating a high level of participant engagement, particularly with Racing Staff. His focus has always been customer based, and his ability to recognise faces is second to none.”

Southern winner Rob Storton is head person to Mick Channon, and was surprised by his son attending the day at Newbury Racecourse having travelled over from America for the occasion. Mick Channon said: “I’m obviously proud of Rob and so chuffed for him and his family. He deserves this honour, he’s always been a great horseman, he’s seen it all and done it all and richly deserves this award. If he can put up with me for 20 odd years, then he definitely deserves it!”  

Finally, North winner was Antonia Reed, Racing Secretary for Nicky Richards. She started riding out at the age of 13 in 1975 and has worked for two families ever since. Current boss Nicky Richards said: “Being a racing secretary is far from easy, she deals with the staff, the owners and has a ‘half mad’ trainer to handle. In this game there a several daily mood swings and she has a lot to deal with, she has been brilliant over the years and still continues to be. She is like family here at Greystoke and the whole yard is thrilled she has one this award”.

The awards formed part of Racing Welfare’s Racing Staff Week, (16-23 Oct) which seeks to recognise the skills, passion and dedication of everyone working in the racing industry.

Other highlights throughout the week included Newbury Racecourse offering free entry to their meeting to stable staff, a Big Racing Staff Week Quiz which included almost 350 industry employees taking part, Careers in Racing provided a golden ticket competition with £100 vouchers at each venue racing throughout the week, plus the TBA running a stud staff photo competition.

Dawn Goodfellow, Chief Executive at Racing Welfare said: “The racing industry relies upon hundreds of people to make our amazing sport happen. Racing Staff Week and the Lifetime in Racing Awards give us the opportunity to recognise their roles and their fantastic contribution which make our days at the races possible.“

A video to celebrate all of those working in the racing industry for racing Staff Week can be seen here.