Audrey O’Neill Wins Top Prize at Irish GSSSA

[Wandering Eyes]

Audrey O’Neill, an exercise rider and groom at John Oxx’s yard at The Curragh, won the Irish Racing Excellence Award at the 2019 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards at the Killashee Hotel, Co Kildare, Ireland on Oct. 29. O’Neill, who was one of eight individual category winners and has worked for Oxx for 25 years, was also the recipient of the Horse Care Award. She rides out four or five lots a day for the veteran trainer and has a great deal of empathy toward the horses in her care and her young colleagues. Principally sponsored by Godolpin in association with The Irish Stablestaff Association, Racing Post, and Horse Racing Ireland, the awards were presented by Jarlath Regan. David Jennings, Deputy Editor of the Racing Post in Ireland was the master of ceremonies.

Said O’Neill, “It’s an honour because there’s some fantastic people who’ve been nominated and winning awards here tonight. I love horses and everything about them but riding them is my favourite part of it. I’ve been lucky to work with Sinndar and Sea The Stars to name but a few, it’s been brilliant working with such horses over the years. To get an award like this for doing something that you love doing is special.”

“It was an excellent night and it was great to see so many well-deserving members of our industry walk away with such recognition,” said Irish Stablestaff Association Chairman Bernard Caldwell. “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.”

Added Godolphin Ireland Managing Director Joe Osborne, “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 of the 2019 awards are as follows:

• Irish Racing Excellence Award/ Horse Care Award:

Audrey O’Neill, Rider/Groom, John Oxx’s, Kildare

• Racing and Breeding Support Services Award:

Wayne Middleton, Strength & Conditioning Coach, RACE, Kildare

• Administration Award:

Dorothy Fleming, Racing Secretary, Ken Condon Racing, Kildare

• Newcomer Award:

Cheryl McClean, Exercise Rider/Groom, Willie McCreery’s, Kildare

• In The Saddle Award:

David Roche, Head Lad, Henry De Bromhead’s, Waterford

• Leadership Award (Stud Employees):

Tony O’Meara, Stallion Manager, Coolmore, Tipperary

• Leadership Award (Stable Employees):

Emma Connolly, Travelling Head Lass/Assistant Trainer, Noel Meade’s, Meath

• Dedication to Racing and Breeding Award:

Robert Gallagher, Head man, Michael Halford’s, Kildare

• Racecourse Award:

Gowran Park

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