Australian Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Finalists Announced
- TBV
- Mar 25
- 2 min read
The finalists have been announced for the 2026 Australian Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (ATIEA), recognising the outstanding people who work across Australia’s thoroughbred breeding and racing sectors.
The Victorian industry is represented by 17 finalists across seven categories, including TBV Committee Member, Garry Cuddy.
Winners will be announced at the 2026 Australian Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards ceremony on Monday 25 May at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort on the Gold Coast.
Formerly known as the Stud and Stable Staff Awards, the ATIEA celebrate the people whose work sustains Australia’s world-leading thoroughbred industry.
The ATIEA Committee congratulates the following nominees shortlisted across seven award categories:
Leadership Award (Sponsored by AgriFutures)
Bruce Murray, Coolmore Australia (NSW)
Lewis Jarvis, Yulong Investments (VIC)
Liam Attwood, Widden Stud (NSW)
Marge Ojapold, Ridgeport Farm (WA)
Neasham Clegg, Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin (VIC)
Sam Matthews, Swettenham Stud (VIC)
Horsemanship Award (Sponsored by Inglis)
Arda Tascioglu, Freelance (NSW)
Brian Davidge, Ciaron Maher Racing (VIC)
Gareth Ford, Yulong Investments (VIC)
James Rapley, Lime Country Thoroughbreds (NSW)
Maddy Dunbar, MD Breaking & Training (NSW)
Dedication to Breeding Award (Sponsored by Magic Millions)
Deirdre Foster, Rheinwood Pastoral Co (NSW)
Juan Navarro-Reverter, Widden Stud (NSW)
Sorcha Sweeney, Yulong Investments (VIC)
Tracey Rothall, Alva Stud (TAS)
Verna Metcalfe, Alma Vale Thoroughbreds (NSW)
Dedication to Racing Award (Sponsored by Yulong Stud)
Brett Killion, Chris Waller Racing (QLD)
Karen Flaherty, Gavin Bedggood Racing (VIC)
Leonard Todd, Ciaron Maher Racing (NSW)
Rayan Moore, McEvoy Mitchell Racing (VIC)
Tim Hanley, McEvoy Mitchell Racing (VIC)
Administrative and Ancillary Services Award (Sponsored by The Straight)
Garry Cuddy, Australian Trainers’ Association (VIC)
Katherine Macaulay, Belhus Racing Stables/Grand Syndicates (WA)
Lauren Fairless, Belmont Bloodstock Agency (VIC)
Matt Harrington, O’Brien Thoroughbreds (VIC)
Suzanne Bray, Godolphin Australia (NSW)
Thoroughbred Care and Welfare Award (Sponsored by Queensland Off-The-Track {QOTT})
Adele Ioannou, Living Legends (VIC)
Alexandra Kelly, Alex Kelly Horsemanship (QLD)
Jenny Bennett, Australian Turf Club / Hawkesbury Race Club (NSW)
Leticia Griffin, Racing Victoria / LJ Griffin Retraining (VIC)
Tamara Janus, TJ Equine (QLD)
Newcomer Award (Sponsored by the Australian Trainers’ Association {ATA})
Billie Dickie, Chris Waller Racing (QLD)
Bridie Harris, Fernrigg Farm (NSW)
Cooper Albers, Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin (VIC)
Jake Hoad, Chris Waller Racing (QLD)
Monique Merton, Swettenham Stud (VIC)
Quentin Hill, Lindsay Park Racing (VIC)
The inaugural ATIEA Lifetime Achievement Award recognises an individual who has made an extraordinary and enduring contribution to the Australian thoroughbred industry across many years of service. The winner will be announced at the Awards Ceremony.
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) is the new custodian of the Awards on behalf of the industry, with Godolphin supporting the transition and remaining the naming rights sponsor for the 12th consecutive year. More information can be found at https://www.atiea.com.au/
TBV acknowledges all nominees, finalists, and industry participants for their dedication to our industry.
Comments