Welcome to the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards sponsored by Godolphin.

Simone Meloni was crowned 2025 Employee of the Year at a star-studded ceremony held at York Racecourse on Monday 24 February.

Employed by legendary trainer, Nicky Henderson, Simone secured the top prize and took home £30,000 to be split between himself and colleagues at Seven Barrows.

Read the full story here and watch the highlights using the video link above. 

With £128,500 in prize money available, the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards sponsored by Godolphin celebrate the remarkable dedication and commitment of those working at the heart of British horseracing.

The awards shine a spotlight on hard-working and passionate employees who provide the best possible care to our horses and people.

Nominations for the 2026 awards will open later this year. There are six different categories to choose from, and the criteria and nominee qualities are detailed on the Award categories page. The winners from the Leadership, Rider Groom, Stud and Dedication categories will also be judged for the overall Employee of the Year Award.

You can nominate anyone who is employed in a BHA licensed racing yard or British stud including administration staff. For the Community Award, you can nominate anyone involved with British racing.

If you have any questions in the meantime, please don’t hesitate to contact: awards@britishhorseracing.com