O’Meara scoops prize at Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards
Tony O’Meara was among the award winners at the 2019 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards which were held in the Killashee Hotel, County Kildare on Tuesday.
O’Meara, a Stallion Manager at the world-famous Coolmore Stud, has been with the stud for over 20 years manages a stable of 14 of the world’s best stallions, including Galileo, the most successful stallion in the world.
In his role Tony organises staff rota for the 14 people under his care, Tony also liaises with vets, farriers and specialists, ensuring stallion parades are run in a safe and efficient manner. Tony also manages the quarantine and shuttling of Coolmore’s stallions to the southern hemisphere.
Previously, as a yearling manager for the farm, Tony was responsible for breaking both dual Derby winners, Camelot and Australia.
Tony commented: “To break in two Derby winners and to watch them come back to the stallion sheds at Coolmore is very special. I love watching them go all the way through their careers and I think me and the team spend more time with the horse than our families! It’s a cliche but I’ve to pinch myself going to work every day, and to get an award for it tonight is very special.”
A total of ten awards, worth €84,000 were presented by well-known blogger and comedian, Jarlath Regan. David Jennings, Editor of the Racing Post in Ireland, acted as MC for the occasion.
Bernard Caldwell, Chairman, Irish Stablestaff Association, said: “It was an excellent night and it was great to see so many well-deserving members of our industry walk away with such recognition. The standard of the awards scheme was at a new level this year and I would like to thank all of those who nominated stud and stable staff, congratulate all of the finalists and thank Godolphin for their sponsorship and HRI for all their help organising the night.”
Joe Osborne, Managing Director, Godolphin Ireland, commented: “The quality of the finalists this year was off the charts and I would like to pay tribute to all of our finalists and winners. There was a huge spectrum of people participating in the awards this year and that could be seen from the enthusiasm and brilliance of the Newcomers Award, to the finalists in the Dedication to Racing & Breeding Award where the three finalists have 150 years of work in the industry between them.”
The 10 winners and runners-up for the 2019 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards were:
Irish Racing Excellence Award
Audrey O’Neill, Rider/Groom, John Oxx’s, Kildare
Racing and Breeding Support Services Award
Wayne Middleton, Strength & Conditioning Coach, RACE, Kildare
Runners up:
Willie Gibbons, Track Foreman, Leopardstown Racecourse, Dublin
Perry Power, Track & Facilities Manager, Tipperary Racecourse, Tipperary & Cork Racecourses
Administration Award
Dorothy Fleming, Racing Secretary, Ken Condon Racing, Kildare
Runners-up:
Geraldine Ryan, Office Manager, Camas Stud, Tipperary
Marie Rowley, Racing Secretary, Pat Flynn Racing, Waterford
Newcomer Award
Cheryl McClean, Exercise Rider & Groom, Willie McCreery’s, Kildare
Runners-up:
Tom Harney, Stable Lad & Work Rider, Ross O’Sullivan’s, Kildare
Chris McGill, Head Lad, John J Hanlon’s, Carlow
Horse Care Award
Audrey O’Neill, Groom, John Oxx’s, Kildare
Runners-up:
Paul Dupli, Groom/Rider, Martin Brassil’s, Kildare
Gerry Hanratty, Meadowcourt Stud, Kildare
In The Saddle Award
David Roche, Head Lad, Henry De Bromhead’s, Waterford
Runners-up:
Ganna German, Work Rider & Travelling Groom, Sheila Lavery’s, Meath
Martin Molloy, Work Rider, Pat Fahy’s, Carlow
Leadership Award (Stud Employees)
Tony O’Meara, Stallion Manager, Coolmore, Tipperary
Runners-up:
Helder Ferreira, Assistant Head Lad, Kildangan Stud, Kildare
Edward Farrell, Head Man, Liseux, Kildare
Leadership Award (Stable Employees)
Emma Connolly, Travelling Head Lass & Assistant Trainer, Noel Meade’s, Meath
Runners-up:
Niall Amond, Travelling Head Lad, Jessica Harrington’s, Kildare
Damien Byrne, Yard Manager & Travelling Head Lad, Joseph O’Brien’s, Kilkenny
Dedication to Racing and Breeding Award
Robert Gallagher, Head man, Michael Halford’s, Kildare
Runners up:
Paddy Duffy, Assistant Trainer, Shane Duffy’s, Laois
Eamon Leigh, Head Lad, Jessica Harrington’s, Kildare
Racecourse Award
Gowran Park