Award Categories

Irish Thoroughbred Industry Employee Award 2026

A total of five awards to individuals working in any hands-on role in racing or stud sectors of the Irish thoroughbred industry. This includes, but is not limited to, racing stables, stud farms, spelling and pre-training yards and veterinary practices. It is open to people who are currently working in the industry and have worked in it 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 and/or 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 Administration Award 2026

An award to an individual working in an administration role in any sector of the Irish thoroughbred industry. This includes, but is not limited to, racing stables, stud farms, spelling and pre-training yards, veterinary practices, racecourses, industry bodies and sales companies. It is open to people who are currently working in the industry and have worked in it 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 and/or client’s success in breeding and/or racing

Prize: The winner 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 the winner’s colleagues.

ITIEA Ancillary Services Award 2026

An award to an individual working in an ancillary services role in any sector of the Irish thoroughbred industry. This includes, but is not limited to, farriers, horse dentists, physiotherapists and horse transporters. It is open to people who are currently working in the industry and have worked in it 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 and/or client’s success in breeding and/or racing

Prize: The winner will receive a trophy and €4,000.

ITIEA Newcomer Award 2026

The Newcomer Award is for an individual, aged 18 or older, who has worked in the sector for more than 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 individual ITIEA Award 2026 winners, the Administration Award 2026 winner, the 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.