Emma Connolly tops at racing awards night

There was success last night for Emma Connolly at the 2019 Irish Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards at the Killashee Hotel, Naas.

Emma is Travelling Head Lass & Assistant Trainer with Noel Meade in Castletown.

"Emma is a one-off, she doesn't konw when to stop working, she just loves her job so much," stated 
Noel Meade.

Nominated for the Leadership Award (Stable), she took the laurels ahead of Niall Amond, Travelling Head Lad, Jessica Harrington and Damien Byrne, Yard Manager & Travelling Head Lad, Joseph O’Brien.

Emma receiving her award last night

A total of 10 awards, worth over €80,000 were presented by well-known writer and comedian, Jarlath Regan while David Jennings, Deputy Editor of the Racing Post in Ireland, was MC for the occasion. 

The 10 winners and runners-up for the 2019 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards were:

Irish Racing Excellence Award

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

Racing and Breeding Support Services Award

Wayne Middleton, Strength & Conditioning Coach, RACE, Kildare 

Runners up:Willie Gibbons, Track Foreman, Leopardstown Racecourse, Dublin
Perry Power, Track & Facilities Manager, Tipperary Racecourse, Tipperary & Cork Racecourses

Administration Award

Dorothy Fleming, Racing Secretary, Ken Condon Racing, Kildare

Runners-up: Geraldine Ryan, Office Manager, Camas Stud, Tipperary
Marie Rowley, Racing Secretary, Pat Flynn Racing, Waterford

Newcomer Award

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

Runners-up:Tom Harney, Stable Lad & Work Rider, Ross O’Sullivan’s, Kildare 
Chris McGill, Head Lad, John J Hanlon’s, Carlow

Horse Care Award

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

Runners-up:Paul Dupli, Groom/Rider, Martin Brassil’s, Kildare
Gerry Hanratty, Meadowcourt Stud, Kildare

In The Saddle Award

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

Runners-up:Ganna German, Work Rider & Travelling Groom, Sheila Lavery’s, Meath
Martin Molloy, Work Rider, Pat Fahy’s, Carlow

Leadership Award (Stud Employees)

Tony O’Meara, Stallion Manager, Coolmore, Tipperary

Runners-up:Helder Ferreira, Assistant Head Lad, Kildangan Stud, Kildare
Edward Farrell, Head Man, Liseux, Kildare

Leadership Award (Stable Employees)

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

Runners-up:Niall Amond, Travelling Head Lad, Jessica Harrington’s, Kildare
Damien Byrne, Yard Manager & Travelling Head Lad, Joseph O’Brien’s, Kilkenny

Dedication to Racing and Breeding Award

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

Runners up:Paddy Duffy, Assistant Trainer, Shane Duffy’s, Laois
Eamon Leigh, Head Lad, Jessica Harrington’s, Kildare

Racecourse Award

Gowran Park