Sequel Bloodstock’s John Motaung Finalist for Managerial Award

PRESS RELEASE (Edited)

LEXINGTON, KY—The finalists and runners-up for the 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards have been chosen in the seven categories as the program celebrates its 10th anniversary. The 2025 ceremony will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 21, in Lexington, Ky. Finalists and their guest will enjoy a variety of activities, including a tour of a local horse farm, a stallion show, the ceremony dinner with an afternoon of racing the following day at Keeneland. 

The shortlist judging panel, the first of two judging panels, met on Tuesday, July 29, to determine the finalists that will make the trip to Kentucky, along with two runners-up in each of the categories. Their meeting was again hosted by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. The second and final stage of judging will take place on Oct. 21, when finalists will meet with the judges for in-person interviews.

“My good friend and co-worker Tom Law has been the panel chair for the past several years, but it’s very hard to really know—until you experience it firsthand—how difficult it is to choose the finalists and runners-up,” Panel Chair Joe Clancy of Saratoga Special Magazine said. “The quality of nominees was very strong, across the board, and we sincerely appreciate those who took the time to nominate their champions. I also thank the entire judging panel for coming together and for volunteering their time in this important, initial step. 

“I also express sincere thanks to the National HBPA, TOBA, The Jockey Club, Keeneland, Breeders’ Cup, and Godolphin, without whose underwriting and support of these awards would not be possible. Also, a heartfelt thanks to media partners–The Thoroughbred Daily News, The Saratoga Special, BloodHorse Publications, Daily Racing Form, FanDuel, Real Players Inside the Backstretch, Paulick Report, Fox Sports, and America’s Day at the Races–for helping spread the reach of the awards.

“In addition, the efforts of Roberto Rodriguez, Director of DRF en Espanol and Carlos Morales, Producer and Host of Agentes 305, deserve special thanks for informing the Spanish-speaking community,” he said.

TIEA is also very pleased to welcome back category sponsors Hallway Feeds, NTRA, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, and 1/ST Racing along with our latest sponsor, NYRA BETS.

The addition of Kentucky Downs/KHBPA as the Travel Sponsor is also very exciting for the program and TIEA is very grateful for their support. This sponsorship will assist in covering the cost of transportation and accommodation for out-of-town finalists as they travel to Kentucky in October. 

The winners of the Katherine McKee Administration, Dedication to Breeding, Dedication to Racing, Managerial, Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community, and Support Services Awards will receive a prize of $7,500, with two finalists receiving $3,500. Two runners-up in each category, separate from the winners and two finalists, will receive $2,000 each.

The winner of the Newcomer Award will receive $5,000, with two finalists receiving $2,500 each. Separate from the winners and two finalists, two runners-up will receive $1,000 each. 

The 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards finalists are:

Katherine McKee Administration Award, sponsored by Keeneland

  • Maria Isabel Escobar, Todd Pletcher Racing Stable
  • Vicki Forbes, Thoroughbred Daily News
  • Sandy Martin, Race Track Chaplaincy of America

Runners-up

  • Lacey Coler, Barton Thoroughbreds
  • Lauren Monnet, National HBPA

 

Support Services Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing

  • Lynne Hewlett, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
  • Robert Richardson, KatieRich Farms
  • Nathan Stephens, Stephens Farrier Service, LLC

Runners-up

  • Mary Perkins, Keeneland Association
  • Steve Peterman, Gulfstream Park

 

Dedication to Breeding Award, sponsored by Hallway Feeds

  • Sara Patterson, Cedar Run Farm
  • Juan Piedra, Stone Bridge Farm
  • Mario Ponce, Coolmore America

Runners-up

  • Luis Sanchez, Kenneth McPeek Racing Stable
  • Alan Shell, Kenneth McPeek Racing Stable

 

Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by NYRA BETS

Runners-up

  • Rafael Fernandez, Herringswell Stables
  • Lee Vickers, Miguel Clement Racing Stable

 

Managerial Award, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute 

Runners-up

  • Kali Kleinfelt, Stone Bridge Farm
  • Edwyn Kiely, Hunter Valley Farm

 

Newcomer Award, sponsored by New York Racing Association

  • Braden Heath, Three Chimneys Farm
  • Kinnon LaRose, Tom Amoss
  • Ivanna Rabii, WinStar Farm

Runners-up

  • Madison Jackson, Churchill Downs
  • Maxine Pina, Taylor Made Sales Agency

 

Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs

  • Peter Drumstra, Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program
  • Nancy Turner, This Old Horse, Inc.
  • CJ Wilson, Win Place Home

Runners-up

  • Victoria Mangini, Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Assoc.
  • Caroline Tatum, Secretariat Center

 

Return to the July 31 issue of Wire to Wire

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