A traditional ceremony was due to have taken place in February but the COVID-19 pandemic meant prizes were handed out via a virtual event, broadcast live by Racing TV.

After an eight-month delay, trophies were finally presented in the flesh, providing each finalist and winner with the acclaim and celebration their achievement deserved. Before heading to the Rowley Mile, those in attendance were treated to a parade of Darley stallions, including Pinatubo, Cracksman and the mighty Dubawi.

All six winners, as well as a number of finalists, made the trip to Newmarket, where Beck Edmunds (pictured above, with Godolphin’s Hugh Anderson) collected her Leadership and Employee of the Year awards. The Richard Phillips Racing team was well represented, with Phillips himself picking up his Community Award trophy and his office manager Jo Saunders collecting the prize for Dedication.

Elsewhere, Newsells Park Stud’s Elody Swann won the Stud Award, Joanna Łacisz the Rider/Groom Award and Alice Price the Newcomer Award.

Among those on hand to congratulate the winners was BHA Chief Executive Julie Harrington, who said: “It was my great pleasure to spend a day with the 2021 finalists and winners, whose hard work, passion and dedication to their profession is inspiring, uplifting and humbling.

“Care for the horse is at the heart of everything we do in British racing and I am proud to know that our sport can count among its number, thousands of individuals who ensure nothing but the best for the equine stars, who bring us so much joy.

“With nominations for the 2022 Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards now open, I would encourage everybody to nominate those they would like to see recognised next year.”

Nominations for 2022 will close on Tuesday 9 November 2021 and can be made online by anyone, simply by visiting the Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards website at www.studandstablestaffawards.co.uk.