Kieran Kourdache Named 2026 Employee of the Year

[Wandering Eyes]

Kieran Kourdache was named the 2026 Employee of the Year at the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, sponsored by Godolphin, which were held at Ascot Racecourse on Monday.

The event, now in its 22nd year, was hosted by ITV Racing's Ed Chamberlin and featured special guest appearances from dual champion Flat jockey William Buick and Harry Skelton, who was crowned champion jump jockey in 2020/21.

Together Buick and Skelton presented the top prize to Kourdache, who also received a total of £15,000 in prize-money – £10,000 for being named Employee of the Year and another £5,000 for winning the Rider/Racing Groom Award earlier in the ceremony. In addition, £15,000 will be shared among his colleagues at Karl Burke's Spigot Lodge, where Kourdache is employed as travelling head lad.

Nick Luck, chair of the Judging Panel, said, “Once again, the standard in each category has been extremely high. Right from the beginning of this process, the quality of the nominations we received was extraordinary and I would like to thank everybody who put such care and attention into putting forward their friends and colleagues for consideration.

“All of our winners this evening could not be more deserving. That the standard was so high this year serves only to demonstrate the outstanding qualities of our Employee of the Year, Kieran. It was clear throughout the judging process that Kieran was held in the highest regard, and it is not hard to understand why.

“Kieran is a remarkably charismatic person and one with so many strings to his bow. The fact that he has chosen to make his career in our sport is not only something for which we should be extremely grateful but demonstrates that racing has so much to offer. I very much hope that his example inspires others to explore the many career opportunities that racing has to offer.”

Organised by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards offered a total of £128,500 in prize-money across six categories, in addition to the main award. The finalists for each category (with winners in bold) were as follows:

Newcomer Award

Emma Skerritt – Richenda Ford
Freddie Wilks – Charlie Johnston
Poppy Hatton – Folland-Bowen Bloodstock

Leadership Award

Carrie Sanderson – Karl Burke
Claire Freeman – Dan Skelton
Louisa Allen – Jim Boyle

Rider/Groom

Ellie Jefferson – Christian Williams
Kieran Kourdache – Karl Burke
Michelle Kramer – Paul Nicholls

Stud Award

Dayna Walsh – Tweenhills
James Goddard – Chasemore Farm
Oleh Ihnatenko – Whitsbury Manor Stud

Dedication Award

Christopher Pattenden – Diana Grissell
Derek Snaith – Charlie Fellowes
Helen Halliwell – James Fanshawe

Community Award

Anna Collins – Chester Racecourse
Geraldine Jones – Godolphin
Hayley Clements – Micky Hammond

Brant Dunshea, acting chief executive of the BHA, added, “I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Kieran on being named the Employee of the Year for 2026. Even among such a high-quality field Kieran really stood out. He is clearly somebody who leaves a positive impression on all who meet him and I am delighted that British racing can count him among our number.

“My congratulations also go to all this evening's winners and finalists, as well as all those nominated throughout this year's process. To be nominated alone is a tremendous achievement and something of which you should all rightly be very proud.

“I would like to thank Godolphin for their generous ongoing sponsorship of these awards, to the judges who give so much of their time to decide upon our winners, and to my colleagues at the BHA who work incredibly hard to make this special event happen.”

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