Racing Australia and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia welcome special guests:
Senator The Hon. Anthony Chisholm
Assistant Minister for Regional Development
Assistant Minister for Education
Ms Julia Battams
Equine Pathways Australia Founder and Program Executive Manager
Ms Kate Nipperess
Former Jockey
Australian Para-Equestrian High Performance Squad Athlete
3. Welcome 5. Sponsor’s message 6. Categories and prize money
The judges
Our 2025 finalists
Administration and Ancillary Services Award
Dedication to Breeding Award
Horsemanship Award
Leadership Award
Dedication to Racing Award
Thoroughbred Care and Welfare Award
Newcomer Award
A message from Hazel Fertier
Our sponsors and media partners
On behalf of Racing Australia and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, we welcome you to the 11th Stud & Stable Staff Awards ceremony on the Gold Coast.
In particular, we would like to greet and congratulate the Awards finalists, Ellen Hodge, Kathie Bakker, Matt Comerford, Verna Metcalfe, Arda Tascioglu, Denis Gilmanov, James Manning, Paul Reid, Jack O’Neill, Tracy O’Hara, Julie Bramucci, Lauren Abbott, Nushish Mungur and Olivia Klug.
We wish you all well and welcome your family and friends who have joined you tonight. In addition, we are delighted to greet board members and representatives from Racing Australia, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and from our Award sponsors, Victoria Racing Club, Yulong, Australian Turf Club, Queensland Off The Track, Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Magic Millions, Thoroughbred Breeders NSW and Inglis, as well as our media partners, Racing.com, ANZ Bloodstock News and The Thoroughbred Report Australia & New Zealand.
Our thanks go to all those in the various sectors of Australian racing and breeding who put forward nominations. This year we received over 130 nominations from the widest-ever range of training establishments, studs and other organisations that support and maintain an industry that is one of Australia’s largest.
As we all know, the hard work and commitment of staff is the cornerstone of our industry. Without that, Australia would not be regarded as a global leader in thoroughbred racing and breeding.
We would like to acknowledge and thank the judges for the huge part they have played in adjudicating and selecting the winners in each category.
Special thanks go to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and to Godolphin for their continued support of the Australian racing and breeding industry, particularly through these Awards. We look forward to this event continuing to be regarded as the pinnacle of staff awards in our industry.
We hope you have a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and wish all the winners and runners-up the very best for the future.
Paul Eriksson Chief Executive Officer
Andrew Hore-Lacey Incoming Chief Executive Officer
At Godolphin, we are delighted our sponsorship of the Stud & Stable Staff Awards continues for the 11th year in Australia. These celebrated accolades recognise and reward the dedication and passion of many remarkable people who work behind the scenes and are the lifeblood of our racing and breeding community.
These national Awards have seen a large number of high-quality nominations across the seven categories this year.
Particularly encouraging is the strength of entries in the Newcomer category, which continues to gain momentum each year. Our community can look forward with optimism knowing the industry’s drive to attract new people is having a positive impact.
With such a high standard of nominations, our shortlisting and judging panels had yet another difficult task in selecting winners. We are extremely grateful to the distinguished, independent panel members from across the industry for devoting their time, diverse knowledge and diligent work in choosing seven worthy winners.
Importantly, we acknowledge those who took the time to nominate their staff, colleague or friend as without these nominations, there would be no Awards. Each nomination highlights the high regard in which the nominee is held –and that recognition is central to these Awards.
We also pay tribute to all participants who work long, hard hours to ensure a high standard of care for the thoroughbred 365 days of the year. We thank you – and tonight is a nod to each and every one of you.
When His Highness Sheikh Mohammed generously initiated and launched the first Awards in the UK more than 20 years ago, his aim was, and still is, to reward excellence in all areas of the racing and breeding industry.
Year on year the Stud & Stable Staff Awards build wider recognition for those incredible individuals who make a real difference to their horses and this sport. I thank the event committee for shaping the Awards to the highest standard.
I’d like to also thank Award partners Racing Australia and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and their respective boards.
Our generous Award sponsors have also gone above and beyond: Yulong, Australian Turf Club, Magic Millions, Inglis, Victoria Racing Club, Queensland Off The Track, Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Thoroughbred Breeders NSW as well as our media partners Racing.com, ANZ Bloodstock News and The Thoroughbred Report Australia and New Zealand. We thank them for their support.
Andy Makiv Managing Director
Godolphin Australia
CATEGORIES AND PRIZE MONEY
ADMINISTRATION AND ANCILLARY SERVICES AWARD
An Award to an individual staff member who works in an administration role on a stud or in a racing stable or services ancillary to racing or breeding. Must demonstrate exceptional skills, loyalty or some achievement that has added value to their employer’s business and directly or indirectly to industry standards.
Prize includes $10,000 to the winner, with $3,000 to the runner-up.
DEDICATION TO BREEDING AWARD
An Award to an individual staff member who has shown talent in thoroughbred breeding horsemanship as well as consistency and reliability in a stud role.
Prize includes $10,000 to the winner, with $3,000 to the runner-up.
HORSEMANSHIP AWARD
An Award to an individual staff member who has shown talent for horsemanship, consistency and reliability in or out of the saddle. Must include an affinity with horses and give priority to animal welfare.
Prize includes $10,000 to the winner, with $3,000 to the runner-up.
LEADERSHIP AWARD
An Award to an individual staff member in a managerial or supervisory role in a stud or stable who has displayed leadership qualities – in particular, quality people management, mentoring and support of staff, attention to workplace health and safety, commitment to continuous improvement and displaying good business acumen.
Prize includes $10,000 to the winner, with $3,000 to the runner-up.
DEDICATION TO RACING AWARD
An Award to an individual staff member who has shown talent for horsemanship in the racing field, and consistency and reliability in a racing role. Must have at least five years’ service in the racing industry and have been pivotal to their employer’s success.
Prize includes $10,000 to the winner, with $3,000 to the runner-up.
THOROUGHBRED CARE AND WELFARE AWARD
An Award to an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to the care and welfare of thoroughbreds who are not actively racing, and/or created a greater awareness, passion and care for the thoroughbred horse in its second/alternate career.
Prize includes $10,000 to the winner, with $3,000 to the runner-up.
NEWCOMER AWARD
An Award to an individual who has worked in the industry, in any capacity, for less than five years. The winner will display passion for, pride in, and an excellent contribution to the thoroughbred industry. The winner will stand out from other newcomers and will be identified as a future and significant valuable member of this industry.
Prize includes $5,000 to the winner, with $3,000 to the runner-up. In addition, an opportunity for an educational experience to support their career goals will be offered to both finalists.
THOROUGHBRED EXCELLENCE AWARD
Winners of the Administration and Ancillary Services, Dedication to Racing, Dedication to Breeding, Horsemanship and Leadership Awards are eligible to win this category. Prize of $5,000 goes to the winner.
THE JUDGES
TROY CORSTENS
Final judging panel
The son of prominent racehorse trainer Leon Corstens, Troy Corstens’s success with his and his father’s racing team Malua Racing is not limited to training winners. The G1-winning trainer also sits on the Victorian branch of the Australian Trainers’ Association board and has been a member of the Stud & Stable Staff Awards judging panel since 2015.
HAZEL FERTIER
Final judging panel
Hazel Fertier took the SSSA Thoroughbred Excellence and the Horsemanship Awards in 2024 thanks to a set of skills that are matched by her love and devotion to the animals she works with. A trackwork rider from Murray Bridge in South Australia, Fertier is a horsewoman through and through, a quality that has made her indispensable at her home track. Virtually every trainer at Murray Bridge lined up to support her SSSA nomination, praising a work ethic matched by a deep affinity with the horses she rides. As one trainer said: “She even rode trackwork on the morning of her wedding.”
TREVOR LOBB
Final judging panel
One of Australia’s most respected and influential bloodstock experts, Trevor Lobb is an icon of the Australian thoroughbred industry. A graduate of William Inglis and Sons, Trevor went on to manage the Woodlands bloodstock and racing empire of Jack and Bob Ingham during a period in which their operation produced Octagonal and his champion son Lonhro. When the Ingham’s sold their racing and breeding interests to HH Sheikh Mohammed in 2008, Trevor remained as a manager. He went onto become President of the Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA), later taking up the role of CEO at Emirates Park Stud. Now officially retired, Trevor’s knowledge and expertise remain keenly sought after throughout the bloodstock industry.
JOHAN PETZER
Chair of final judging panel
With Johan Petzer’s career as a steward spanning 31 years, he is currently General Manager of Integrity and Chairman of Stewards with Racing South Australia. He also serves as Racing Australia’s representative on the Committee for the Harmonisation of Racing Rules with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. Petzer is Chair of the Stud & Stable Staff Awards judging panel, leading a passionate and highly dedicated team of racing industry personalities from diverse backgrounds in assessing the nominees each year.
BASIL NOLAN
Final judging panel
The principal of Queensland’s renowned Raheen Stud, Basil Nolan is the president of both Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland and the peak national body, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA). TBA has been a proud partner of the Stud & Stable Staff Awards since their inception in 2015 and Nolan has been a valued member of the judging panel ever since.
JAMES TZAFERIS
Shortlisting panel
James Tzaferis has covered thoroughbred racing in Australia for almost a decade, and currently works as a broadcaster and journalist with Racing.com. While his role includes working as part of the broadcast team for Victoria and South Australia’s major carnivals, he has a particular passion for the grassroots of racing. His previous roles include being a part of the successful Off The Track program which has fostered a keen interest in equine welfare.
MARY CAPUANO
Shortlisting and final judging panels
Mary has worked in racing administration for more than 30 years, starting at the Australian Jockey Club before joining the Australian Racing Board and then Racing Australia (RA). Her main responsibility has been assisting the board, the CEO and subcommittees which has involved wide-spread liaison with racing and breeding stakeholders. Mary has also been involved with RA’s international relationships. Now retired, she is looking forward to giving back to the thoroughbred industry.
JENNY WATSON
Shortlisting and final judging panels
With a career spanning 45 years, Jenny Watson has spent 35 years as Foaling Supervisor at Armidale Stud in Tasmania, while also managing her own breeding operation in Tasmania with her husband, Geoff. For the past 22 years she has been a valuable board member at Thoroughbred Breeders Tasmania. An alumnus of the Stud & Stable Staff Awards, Watson won the Dedication to Breeding and the Thoroughbred Excellence Award in 2016 and has been on the judging panel ever since.
MELISSA WEATHERLEY
Shortlisting and final judging panels
An inaugural member of the Stud & Stable Staff Awards judging panel, Mel Weatherley has used her educational background to promote the love of the horse and nurture the industry’s next generation throughout her career. Having previously managed Racing Victoria’s Apprentice Jockey Training and Workforce Development programs. She has also worked with Thoroughbred Industry Careers and the Gold Coast Turf Club on industry-specific education and employment initiatives.
JAMES MANNING
PAUL REID
JACK O’NEILL Thoroughbred Racing
NUSHISH MUNGUR Malua Racing
KATHIE BAKKER Yulong Stud
ELLEN HODGE McEvoy Mitchell Racing
MATT
COMERFORD Widden Stud
VERNA METCALFE
Alma Vale Thoroughbreds
TRACY O’HARA
Thoroughbred Industry Careers
ARDA TASCIOGLU
Freelance Horse Educator
JULIE BRAMUCCI
Rafiki Equestrian
Michael Kent Racing
DENIS GILMANOV
Segenhoe Stud
LAUREN ABBOTT
Revive Racehorse Rehoming
OLIVIA
KLUG
Cully,
2025 FINALISTS
Kathie Bakker, Yulong Stud
Ellen Hodge, McEvoy Mitchell Racing
A computer might be capable of performing mare and stallion bookings or filing stud book returns, keeping foaling and veterinary records up to date, reading a trainer’s mind or even dealing with a plague of crickets.
But there isn’t much chance that a machine with any amount of artificial intelligence would do the job better than Kathie Bakker or Ellen Hodge, finalists in the Administration and Ancillary Services category.
Bakker’s official title is Stud Secretary and Office Manager at Yulong Stud in Victoria where she is described by her colleague and nominator, Michelle Mulcahy, as “the backbone of the farm”.
She says: “Kath books in all the matings, she keeps the foaling and vet records, keeps the stud book requirements up to date, she’s on top of sales and registrations, she’s a key contact for clients, vets, farriers and transport companies. And that’s only part of it.”
She describes Bakker as the heart of Yulong’s administrative team. Her unrivalled experience in the business makes her the immediate contact for all members of staff, from gardeners to management.
“Her exceptional knowledge, client relationships and unwavering dedication make her an invaluable asset, not just to Yulong but to the Australian thoroughbred industry as a whole,” Mulcahy explains.
“Her tireless work, her deep industry expertise and her ability to keep one of Australia’s most prominent breeding operations running at the highest level makes Kath an outstanding and truly deserving candidate for this Award.”
To Bakker, the recognition that accompanies her place as a finalist is gratefully accepted.
KATHIE BAKKER Yulong Stud
ELLEN HODGE McEvoy Mitchell Racing
“I’ve grown with the business and it has been a great journey. To work for an organisation like Yulong is a privilege in its own way, so to be nominated is very satisfying,” she says.
Ellen Hodge’s duties are performed with similar skill and expertise in her role as Office Manager for McEvoy Mitchell Racing at Ballarat.
To trainer Tony McEvoy, she is “absolutely indispensable”.
“Ellen is a natural troubleshooter thanks to an ability to resolve issues before they escalate,” he says.
McEvoy lists Hodge’s in-depth knowledge of his business, her quest for improvement and an “exceptional attention to detail” among her most notable attributes.
“She navigates complex situations with professionalism and poise,” he adds.
“In issues like WorkCover she not only handles any insurance claims but provides invaluable support for the affected staff.
“It’s as though nothing is too much trouble or too difficult for her – she even dealt with a plague of crickets at the stable.
“Having Ellen on the team means myself and my son Calvin can concentrate on training the horses knowing that she is on top of the rest of the business.”
For Hodge, her boss’s praise is reflected in her response to being nominated.
“I wasn’t a horse person when I started with Tony seven years ago, so to have been given a job like this must have been a gamble for them. To have repaid his faith is very important to me”.
Yulong
Ngyrie Gonzalez,
Widden Stud
2025 FINALISTS
Verna Metcalfe, Alma Vale Thoroughbreds
Matt Comerford, Widden Stud
To many of Australia’s most influential and successful thoroughbred breeders, Verna Metcalfe and Matt Comerford define what is meant by dedication to their industry.
An abiding feature of the Australian breeding scene for more than 50 years, Metcalfe has presided over thousands of foalings, her opinion on every aspect of breeding is keenly sought and she is admired and trusted throughout the country.
As her nominator Yvonne Clerke says: “Verna lives and breathes horses and her job. She has a vast knowledge of everything that is related to breeding a perfect thoroughbred.”
To Metcalfe, it’s all a labour of love.
“I love to teach, there’s nothing I enjoy more than passing on what I’ve learned,” she says.
The daughter of a New Zealand dairy farmer, her interest in horses began when she jumped into a paddock to sneak a ride on some harness horses.
“I went on from that to riding work at Matamata and then got into the breeding business at Blandford Lodge before coming to Australia,” she says.
Since then, Metcalfe has worked on several farms, including Newhaven Park, Woodlands, Widden and Middlebrook Valley Lodge and she’s now General Manager of Alma Vale Thoroughbreds at Scone.
Metcalfe has witnessed and participated in the birth of many of Australia’s finest racehorses, but there is one that stands out.
“I suppose I was the first person to see Lonhro,” she recalls. “He was the last of more than 300 foals born at
Alma Vale Thoroughbreds
Woodlands that year and he was the most special of them all.”
Metcalfe’s standing in the Australian breeding community was praised in 2016 when she received the coveted Murray Bain Service Award.
According to one of Australia’s most respected racehorse trainers, Matt Comerford, has “an impeccable character, unmatched attention to detail and unwavering dedication”.
Neville Begg describes him as a leader whose enthusiasm and pride in his work reflects “true leadership”.
“Matt has devoted himself to the breeding industry. His passion and commitment are an inspiration to all those around him,” he adds.
Comerford started out as a strapper for his grandfather Noel Comerford, who trained at Wagga Wagga. As a high school student his preoccupation with racing was noted by his teachers who regularly summoned him to their offices, not to discipline him but to get a tip.
These days he is the Nominations and Client Relations Manager at Widden Stud, where his “tips” are still highly valued.
One of his clients, breeder Brett Bradley, describes him as someone to be trusted implicitly and whose opinion is always highly regarded.
“What sets Matt apart is his genuine care for the entire life-cycle of the mares he works with and the genuine relationships he builds,” Bradley explains.
“He is a man whose commitment and integrity are matched by his care and commitment to everyone he comes in contact with. He is a remarkable figure in the industry.”
MATT COMERFORD
VERNA METCALFE
Hazel Fertier,
DENIS GILMANOV
2025 FINALISTS
Arda Tascioglu, Freelance Horse Educator
Denis Gilmanov, Segenhoe Stud
As horsemen, Arda Tascioglu and Denis Gilmanov are hailed as the best there is.
Of perhaps greater significance, they are also praised throughout the thoroughbred industry for their abundance of simple, human decency.
Yet, for all their understanding of thoroughbreds and their skill in handling them, it is something of a miracle that either is involved in racing, breeding or any other aspect of the industry which now honours them.
Tascioglu was born in Turkey and first saw a racehorse as a child while on a picnic with his family in Istanbul.
“I was still in school and even though I was immediately intrigued, I couldn’t have dreamt of eventually being so involved with horses,” he says.
It is an involvement that has taken him around the world and into just about every area of the industry.
Since accepting a job offer from NSW country trainer Justin Drake in 2006, Tascioglu has worked in racing establishments around the globe, including Godolphin and Darley in Australia and England, a Canadian racing stable and lately with eminent Hunter Valley farm Yarraman Park.
Along the way he has bought and prepared winners in his own right in Turkey, bred several horses and worked with disadvantaged children throughout Southeast Asia.
According to Yarraman’s Harry Mitchell, Tascioglu is a revelation.
“Arda is always positive, he has a work ethic that is second to none and his love and understanding of horses is unquestionable,” he says.
“Arda’s mere presence is enough to calm both the crew and the horses.”
As complete as Tascioglu’s skill set may be, his nominator Jasmin Couch says it is his personal attributes that also set him apart.
She explains: “I nominated Arda because I firmly believe he deserves recognition as a horseman, but I mostly want to acknowledge him as the generous and caring person that he is.”
Denis Gilmanov began his association with the thoroughbred as a 10-year-old visiting stables near his Russian home. He is now Yearling Manager at Segenhoe Stud, where General Manager Peter O’Brien sings his praises.
“Denis Gilmanov is the best horseman I’ve ever worked with, bar none,” he says.
“He’s a natural horseman who is equally at home working with stallions, broodmares or yearlings, and to see him work with foals is something to behold.”
These sentiments are echoed by another industry leader, Inglis Bloodstock CEO, Sebastian Hutch.
“It’s rare for me to be impressed by anyone in the way I’ve regularly been impressed by Denis,” he says.
“He’s a man who is well and truly at one with the horse. He has an extraordinary work ethic, he’s cool, calm and composed under the most trying circumstances. The respect in which he is held throughout the industry is awe-inspiring.
“Clearly he is an outstanding horseman, but he’s also an outstanding human being.”
Segenhoe Stud
ARDA TASCIOGLU Freelance Horse Educator
2025 FINALISTS
James Manning, Godolphin, Northwood Park
Paul Reid, Godolphin, Osborne Park
Effective leadership, it is said, lies in the engagement of elementary virtues, like listening, humility, compassion and courage.
Such qualities, and more, are certainly possessed by Leadership finalists James Manning and Paul Reid.
Manning has been Stud Manager at Darley’s Northwood Park farm in Victoria since mid-2017. Before that, he worked at Woodlands Stud in the Hunter Valley; at Newhaven Park as Stud Manager; at Reavill Farm, NSW, as Yearling Manager and Assistant Stud Manager and at Vinery Stud in the Hunter. He also did a stint as a stockman on Northern Territory cattle stations.
According to his nominator, Kelly Frost, that wealth of experience has helped make Manning a true leader.
“James’s style of leadership is one that carries his staff to greatness,” she says.
“His mentoring comes naturally. He provides respectful, thoughtful and meaningful advice. His approach is integral to the development of staff at every level, who all respond to his manner and passion.”
While Manning’s thoroughbred experience is a basis for the quality of his leadership, his handling of a natural disaster that threatened Northwood Park and other Victorian farms in 2022 added even more to his standing.
“Critically, James recognised the impending severity of the flooding and immediately acted without hesitation in leading the team into action,” Frost explains.
“He was at the forefront of making sure our stock and staff were safe, moving stock in fast-rising waters
at the peak of the breeding season. Without his decisive leadership the losses would have been tremendous.”
Paul Reid is Assistant Trainer to James Cummings at Godolphin’s NSW base at Osborne Park – and after 13 years of working there under three different trainers, he has seen and done it all.
“Reidy has been the backbone of the Godolphin operation at Osborne Park. He’s overseen each seamless transition from trainer to trainer and has given the same level of loyalty and support to each of them,” says his nominator Georgie Whitaker.
“His in-depth knowledge of every horse, whether they are training, racing, rehabilitating or spelling, is nothing short of extraordinary.”
“Reidy” is also the main point of contact for more than 50 staff, including foremen, stable hands, riders, garden, track, administrative, cleaning and canteen staff.
According to Whitaker, there aren’t enough words to describe what Reidy means to all at Osborne Park.
“He’s everything that someone in his position should be. He’s dedicated, hardworking, committed, approachable, inspirational, determined, positive and caring,” she says.
Reid’s life in racing began with his father who was a trainer in the Northern Rivers region of NSW.
“I started at the bottom,” he explains, “and I was happy to be there.”
He is now a lot closer to the top, but as Whitaker says: “He’s the same as he’s always been, a great example of a leader.”
PAUL REID Godolphin
JAMES MANNING Godolphin
Trudie Clarke,
2025 FINALISTS
Tracy O’Hara, Thoroughbred Industry
TRACY O’HARA
Careers
Jack O’Neill, Thoroughbred Racing Northern Territory
For Jack O’Neill and Tracy O’Hara, dedication is a way of life – and one of many entries on a list of credits that illustrates their unwavering commitment to racing.
O’Neill is one of the mainstays of racing in the Northern Territory where, for more than 20 years, he has been the starter at Darwin’s Fannie Bay racecourse.
While his two decades of service have made him one of the great characters of racing in the Territory, O’Neill is known as the “go-to” man in almost every situation that arises on a racetrack.
“To Jack, racing is a lifelong passion that has given him a unique understanding of the entire business,” says his nominator Jeanette Wilson.
“He has a commitment that goes beyond duty. He’s the one that takes charge and makes the best decisions in any emergency or any situation. No-one works for Jack, they all work with him.”
A grandson of the legendary racing broadcaster of the 1950s, Cyril Angles, O’Neill has worked in a variety of roles in racing, from horse float driver to stable hand to farrier to his present job as a starter, where his trademark command “Face ‘em up” is the signal that readies every jockey for action.
Racing has been a part of O’Neill’s life from childhood and horses have played a large role.
“I left Sydney in the ‘80s to work in the pastoral industry in the Territory. A lot of it has rolled on from there, but I’d have to say that being involved in these Awards is one of the great privileges of my working life,” he says. “We have a fantastic racing
community in the Northern Territory and working with such outstanding people is reward in itself. I’m grateful for every day.”
Tracy O’Hara’s involvement in racing is as deep as it gets, beginning with riding trackwork at 13 with her sister Kathy and extending into a career as a jockey. She has faced the starter in almost 4,000 races and her riding career took her to the Middle East where she represented Australia in race series in Oman and Abu Dhabi.
While an apprentice jockey, O’Hara completed a BA in primary education which has led to various post-racing roles with Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC).
Uppermost in her TIC projects is the national pony-racing circuit, a program for Pony Club members which teaches them various aspects of horseracing and puts them and their ponies through their paces on racetracks around Australia.
O’Hara still rides trackwork and in jump outs, is a clerk of the course at Sydney race meetings and works as a trainer and assessor for Racing NSW.
Thoroughbred Industry Careers
CEO Lindy Maurice describes her as “highly competent and forever reliable”.
“Tracy has a work ethic that I have never encountered before, her commitment to all of her roles and to our industry is beyond imagination,” she says.
“She has helped develop TIC’s programs, from the education side to hands-on instruction, but more than that, her reliability, her problem-solving, positivity and work ethic have spurred us on to face every challenge.”
Nicole Mutimer, 2024
Thoroughbred Care and Welfare Award winner
2025 FINALISTS
Julie Bramucci, Rafiki Equestrian
Lauren Abbott, Revive Racehorse Rehoming
Life without horses is unimaginable for Julie Bramucci and Lauren Abbott. For the horses, a life without Bramucci and Abbott – and others like them – might often mean no life at all.
In an area of the thoroughbred industry that demands endless dedication, compassion and love, our finalists in the Care and Welfare category deserve much more than they will ever receive.
They both retrain and rehome exracehorses, revitalising the bodies and minds of animals that might otherwise not have a future.
Bramucci has been in the retraining business for more than 30 years and her introduction to horses began as a child chasing wild ponies around a village in Wales.
With her interest in horses ignited, she came to Australia where she set up her retraining business, Rafiki Equestrian, on Victoria’s Bellarine Peninsula.
“Rafiki is the Swahili word for ‘friend’ which is what my horses and I have to be before I can ask or expect anything from them,” she says.
“I love being with them, I love talking to them – I have conversations with them. My life without horses would be empty. I couldn’t imagine it.”
The reward has come from seeing her horses graduate to success in the show ring and in eventing, or merely as companions for their new owners.
“It is her life’s purpose. Julie has unwavering dedication, passion and care. Her commitment to her clients and to her horses is remarkable,” says her husband and nominator Marco. Bramucci has also been involved
in organising events for retired thoroughbreds at major Australian horse shows.
Lauren Abbott’s nomination is endorsed by all sections of Queensland’s racing and breeding community. A former jockey who rode more than 300 winners and now a licensed trainer, she began rehoming and retraining while she was an apprentice.
“I always tried to get new homes for horses I was associated with, but my awareness was heightened when I had trouble finding new homes for some horses I’d retired,” she says.
“I thought ‘if I’m struggling to find them homes as a trainer, what hope did others have’.”
Her nominator, Brisbane jockey Georgina Cartwright, says her friend has become the “go-to girl” for Brisbane trainers looking to retire horses.
“She doesn’t discriminate and is happy to take horses with injuries where many retrainers don’t,” Cartwright explains.
In her first six months as an official retrainer, Abbott found homes for more than a dozen racehorses and assisted in retraining many more.
“She educates them to a high standard and the calibre of homes these horses go to are first class,” Cartwright adds.
“She spends hours teaching them correct flatwork and giving them jumping education, so these horses have the tools to spend many years as treasured equestrian mounts.”
As for Abbott, she says: “I do it because I love horses.”
LAUREN ABBOTT Revive Racehorse
JULIE BRAMUCCI
Rafiki Equestrian
2025 FINALISTS
Olivia Klug, Michael Kent Racing
Nushish Mungur, Malua Racing
Olivia Klug and Nushish Mungur could both be working in jobs that provided comfortable offices, regular hours and well-defined career paths. Instead, they chose chilly pre-dawn winter mornings, mucking out horse boxes, caring for their often-unruly occupants and the emotional roller coaster of life in a racing stable. And the industry is much the better for it.
With a university degree in zoology, Klug might have selected any number of career paths. Mungur, an accomplished accountant, could similarly have settled for a cash book and journal. But they both jumped at the chance to work with horses.
Klug is a stable hand with Victorian trainer Michael Kent (her only previous employment having been in a supermarket).
Four years on and she is, according to Kent, one of the most valuable members of his team.
“We nominated Olivia for these awards in recognition of the exceptional journey she has undertaken and for the outstanding contribution she is making to the racing industry,” he says.
By her own admission, Klug knew nothing about racing or horses when she joined what is regarded as one of Victoria’s most progressive stables.
“I really wanted to learn, so I joined the Stable Start program which helped me a lot with the basics,” Klug says.
According to her boss, Klug more than made up for any lack of knowledge with enthusiasm, determination and a desire to learn. He explains: “While she was working part-time in the stables,
she completed a university degree in zoology and followed up with a certificate II in racing. Olivia is a revelation.”
A work ethic that is second to none and a burning desire to learn has been a feature of Mungur’s rise through the ranks at the Malua Racing operation of Leon and Troy Corstens and William Larkin.
Mungur’s nominator Therese Patton describes her colleague as “inspirational”.
“Nushish’s dedication, passion, willingness to learn and humility have taken him such a long way already,” she says.
“To have transitioned, as he has, from being a highly regarded accountant in Mauritius to the lowest rung on the racing ladder in Australia is an inspiration to all of us at Malua. His journey not only reflects his love for racing but also his endless humility and work ethic.”
Mungur’s path to Australian racing was less than straightforward. Although he wanted to be involved in the sport and went on to complete a three-month course in England, he felt he needed more.
He eventually made it to Australia after the Covid pandemic and realised he was on the right track as soon as he arrived at Flemington, where he was taken on by Malua.
Mungur quickly acquired the basics of his role as a stable hand and in less than two years he has progressed to foreman.
According to Patton: “His story is a reminder that with passion, hard work and a willingness to start from the ground up, anyone can achieve their dreams.”
NUSHISH MUNGUR Malua Racing
OLIVIA KLUG Michael Kent Racing
A MESSAGE FROM HAZEL FERTIER
2024 Thoroughbred Excellence Award winner
The thoroughbred industry isn’t a place you go to find a standard nineto-five job. You can’t just clock in and out. We, as participants, devote our lives to the animals.
I was lucky enough to grow up around horses, giving me the fundamental grounding to create an amazing life and career doing what I love. Yes, mornings are early, days are long and we endure all types of weather, but the bond we grow with these horses far outweighs any negatives. Plus, we also get to meet and work alongside some amazing, like-minded people on our journeys. Tonight’s ceremony is an amazing opportunity to honour our finalists and crown new winners, but I would really like to take the time to acknowledge all this year’s nominees around Australia.
In 2022, I was first nominated for these Awards by a fellow rider. The day I received the nomination certificate in the post was almost as
humbling as winning the Thoroughbred Excellence Award two years later. The gratification people receive from being recognised by a colleague or employer is what is so great about these Awards.
I have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to join the judging panel this year. Although the thought of it was daunting, it has been fantastic to be able to view and assess nominations for so many amazing, devoted participants, and I can’t wait to see what wonderful stories the Awards bring light to in the coming years.
It wouldn’t be possible without the great support of all the sponsors, especially Godolphin, who commit so much to this concept, not just in Australia but most jurisdictions around the world. Thank you all for your contributions.
Best of luck to tonight’s finalists. Don’t be nervous; we are here to celebrate you, so be sure to enjoy the occasion!
OUR SPONSORS AND MEDIA PARTNERS
The SSSA Committee would like to publicly acknowledge and thank our Awards sponsors and partners. Without the time, effort and commitment from each of these organisations and their people we would not be able to effectively reach, recognise and reward the staff who lie at the heart of our industry’s continued success in Australia.
From world-leading auction houses to thriving race clubs, educational innovators nurturing and informing our future generations or market-leading media outlets, each sponsor and partner is critical to these Awards today and in future years.
The committee, together with Racing Australia, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and major sponsor Godolphin, is proud to see Australia’s world-leading industry come together through the Stud & Stable Staff Awards to recognise and reward the outstanding talent, diligence and commitment of people at the heart of our sport. Thank you.
Australian STUD & STABLE STAFF AWARDS 2025
Suppor ted by
RACING AUSTRALIA AND THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS AUSTRALIA WOULD LIKE TO THANK:
Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai
