Award Categories

Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Award 2026

A total of five awards to individuals working in any in racing or stud roles in the Irish thoroughbred sector. This includes, but is not limited to, employees working in “hands-on” positions in racing stables, stud farms, spelling and pre-training yards.  It is open to people who have worked in the thoroughbred sector full-time (minimum of 30 hours per week) for a minimum of 5 years.

Qualities:

  • Consistently high standards of work
  • Dedication to horse welfare and rehabilitation
  • Positive influence in the workplace with a good team-spirit approach
  • Examples of contributing to employer’s success in breeding and/or racing

Prize: The winners will each receive a trophy and €4,000. An additional €2,500 will be awarded to their employers to be used for the benefit of each winner’s colleagues.

Irish Thoroughbred Industry Administration Award 2026

An award to an individual working in an administration position within the Irish thoroughbred sector. This includes, but is not limited to, racing stables, stud farms, spelling and pre-training yards, administration and regulatory bodies, veterinary practices, horse transport companies, sales companies or racecourses.  It is open to people who have worked in the thoroughbred sector full-time (minimum of 30 hours per week) for a minimum of 5 years.

Qualities:

  • Consistently high standards of work
  • Positive influence in the workplace with a good team-spirit approach
  • Examples of contributing to employer’s success in breeding and/or racing

Prize: The winners will each receive a trophy and €4,000. An additional €2,500 will be awarded to their employers to be used for the benefit of each winner’s colleagues.

Irish Thoroughbred Industry Ancillary Services Award 2026

An award to an individual working in a support services role in the Irish thoroughbred sector. This includes, but is not limited to, veterinary practices, farriers, horse transport, horse dentists and physiotherapists.  It is open to people who have worked full-time (minimum of 30 hours per week) in the thoroughbred sector for a minimum of 5 years.

Qualities:

  • Consistently high standards of work
  • Positive influence in the workplace with a good team-spirit approach
  • Examples of contributing to client’s success in breeding and/or racing

Prize: The winners will each receive a trophy and €4,000. An additional €2,500 will be awarded to their employers to be used for the benefit of each winner’s colleagues.

ITIEA Newcomer Award 2026

The Newcomer Award is for an individual, aged 18 or older, who has worked in the sector for at least one year and less than 5 years.  The award is for an individual working in any role in racing, stud or support services in the thoroughbred sector. This includes, but is not limited to, racing stables, stud farms, spelling and pre-training yards, administration bodies, veterinary practices, farriers, horse transport, grounds staff at sales companies or racecourses, horse dentists and physiotherapists. .

Qualities:

  • Consistently high standards of work
  • Positive influence in the workplace with a good team-spirit approach
  • Examples of contributing to employer’s and/or client’s success in breeding and/or racing

Prize: The winner will receive a trophy and €4,000. An additional €2,500 will be awarded to their employer to be used for the benefit of the winner’s colleagues.

ITIEA Irish Racing Excellence Award 2026

An award presented to one of the five individual ITIEA Award 2026 winners, the ITIEA Administration Award 2026 winner, the ITIEA Ancillary Services Award 2026 winner or the ITIEA Newcomer Award 2026 winner who, in the opinion of the judging panel, deserves special recognition for their commitment, hard work and ongoing contribution to the high standards and reputation of the Irish thoroughbred industry. This winner will be announced at the awards ceremony.

Prize: Trophy and €5,000 to the winner. An additional €2,500 will be awarded to their employer to be used for the benefit of their work colleagues.

ITIEA Racecourse Award 2026

The winner of the ITIEA Racecourse Award will be chosen by the Irish Stable Staff Association based on a quality programme evaluation. The survey evaluates each racecourse on a range of criteria relating to facilities that are available to stable employees. The racecourse with the highest score will be selected as the recipient of the ITIEA Racecourse Award.

Prize: €2,500 to be spent on upgrading facilities that will benefit stable employees.