The finalists for this year’s Industry Excellence Awards have been found, recognising the future leaders and rising stars of the New Zealand racing industry.
In all, 28 finalists have been named across the nine award categories open to anyone under the age of 40, with the winner of each category – and the supreme Entain Excellence Award winner – to be announced at an awards night at Tote On Ascot at Ellerslie Racecourse on Sunday, 29 June.
Category winners will receive $10,000 with finalists in each category receiving $2,000. The overall supreme winner receives an extra $5,000 and a $5,000 educational package. Flights and accommodation are supplied for each of the category finalists.
Entain’s General Manager – New Zealand and member of the judging panel, Jessica Meech, said the awards, in their second year, continue to uncover some exceptional talents within the New Zealand racing industry.
“The future of the industry is in outstanding hands, based on the nominations we received,” Meech said.
“They all struck a chord with the judging panel, and it was challenging enough to find the category finalists, let alone the winners and the overall Entain Excellence Award winner, which is our next incredibly important task.”
More information on the awards can be found at entaingroup.co.nz/industryawards.
Industry Excellence Awards Finalists:
Administration and Innovation Excellence:
Emma Thompson (thoroughbred racing); Jack Collings (thoroughbred racing), David Branch
(harness racing)
Care & Welfare Excellence:
Lisa Kennedy (thoroughbred racing), Hannah Hegarty (greyhound racing), Shannon Armour (harness racing)
Dedication to Breeding
Brad Molander (thoroughbred racing), Grace McMillan (thoroughbred racing), Kayla Milnes (thoroughbred racing)
Equine Licence Holder Excellence
Sam Bergerson (thoroughbred racing), Robert Wellwood (thoroughbred racing), Zachary Butcher (harness racing)
Greyhound Excellence
Katie Wyllie, Matt Roberts, Jamie Pruden
Leadership Excellence
Nathan Purdon (harness racing), Robert Dennis (thoroughbred racing), Simon Lawson (thoroughbred racing)
National Racing Woman
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle (thoroughbred racing), Samantha Ottley (harness racing), Crystal Hackett (harness racing), Mallory Phillips (thoroughbred racing)
Newcomer Excellence
Alice Jeffries (thoroughbred racing), Billie Roach (thoroughbred racing), Taleah Voigt (thoroughbred racing)
Stud, Stable & Kennel Excellence
Olivia Blane (thoroughbred racing), Avinash Bhosale (thoroughbred racing), Kohen Collett (thoroughbred racing)