BY BROCK SHERIDAN
Seven Floridians have been named finalists for the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards, an awards program that recognizes and rewards the outstanding talent, diligence and commitment of the farm and racing staff who are at the heart of the sport.
There are seven award categories, with five finalists recognized in each of the categories and a total of $122,000 in prize money awarded.
Lauren Marks of Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company is a finalist for the Katherin McKee Administration Award sponsored by Keeneland; Francisco “Poncho” Sanchez of Craig Wheeler Thoroughbreds, Inc. and Steve Vargas with Bridlewood Farm are finalists for the Dedication to Breeding Award, sponsored by Hallway Feeds; Francisco D’Angelo with D’Angelo Racing Team is a finalist for the Dedication to Racing Award sponsored by NTRA; Christine Jones with Pleasant Acres Stallions is a finalist for the Managerial Award sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute; Julianne Stowell with Niall Brennan Stables is a finalist for the Newcomer Award sponsored by NYRA; and Bob Miller of the Ocala Farm Ministry is a finalist for the Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs.
In the United States, TIEA is organized in partnership with The Jockey Club, Breeders’ Cup, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the National HBPA with sponsorship by Godolphin.
The awards ceremony dinner will be held in the Keeneland Entertainment Center in October of this year. That evening all the finalists will be recognized for their outstanding achievements.
THE 2024 THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY AWARD FINALISTS AND RUNNERS-UP
Katherine McKee Administration Award, sponsored by Keeneland
Lauren Marks (Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company)
Tia Murphy (Turfway Park)
Deeann Ruppert (Claiborne Farm)
Runners-up
Gretchen Feld (Lane’s End Farm & David Ingordo)
Tiffany Leggett (1/ST Racing)
Support Services Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing
Keith and Joy Cooper (Cooper Horse Transport)
Cass Dewey (Desert Oasis Rescue)
Vicki Tomlinson (Churchill Downs)
Runners-up
Justine “Tina” Elam (Hagyard Equine Medical Institute)
Kevin Moran (Keeneland Association)
Dedication to Breeding Award, sponsored by Hallway Feeds
Sue Hooper (Havens Oaks Farm)
Francisco “Poncho” Sanchez (Craig Wheeler Thoroughbreds, Inc.)
Steve Vargas (Bridlewood Farm)
Runners-up
Abel Garibay (C&S Thoroughbreds)
Christine Sgorrano (Sugar Plum Farm, LLC)
Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by National Thoroughbred Racing Association
Francisco D’Angelo (D’Angelo Racing Team)
Milver Martinez (Brendan Walsh Racing)
Erma Lee Scott (William I. Mott Racing)
Runners-up
Darquin “Darwin” Aguilar-Valenzuela (Brad H. Cox Racing Stables, LLC)
Lee Vickers (Christophe Clement Racing Stable)
Managerial Award, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
Stuart Angus (Taylor Made Farm)
Christine Jones (Pleasant Acres Stallions)
Jack Sadler (Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners)
Runners-up
Lauren Eads (Watercress Farm)
Debbie Ward (Safari North Farm)
Newcomer Award, sponsored by New York Racing Association
Katie Petrunyak (Thoroughbred Daily News)
Demetrio Rabadan (Christopher Clement Racing Stable)
Julianne Stowell (Niall Brennan Stables)
Runners-up
Nicole Dreiling (Bel-Mar Farm)
Ethan Fry (O’Sullivan Farms)
Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs
Joel Helmburg (TRF at Blackburn Correctional Facility)
Bob Miller (Ocala Farm Minstry)
Nancy LaSala (PDJF)
Runners-up
Melanie Case (Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy)
Christian Countzler (Stable Recovery)
