Finalists found for Industry Excellence Awards

The finalists for the inaugural Industry Excellence Awards powered by Entain, have been  named after more than 100 high-quality entries were received for the awards that  recognises the future leaders and rising stars of the New Zealand racing industry.  

There are 29 finalists across the nine award categories, and the judges found the  selection process challenging, due to the depth and strength of candidates nominated.  

“We were hugely impressed by the calibre of the nominations, and it was a great  reminder of the absolutely outstanding people we have involved in all areas of the  racing industry in New Zealand,” Entain’s General Manager – New Zealand and member  of the judging panel, Jessica Meech, said.  

“We’ve got a lot of thinking to do ahead of the awards evening to decide on the nine  category winners and select the overall excellence winner.”  

The award categories are: Leadership, Equine Handling (Stud or Stable), Greyhound  Excellence, Dedication to Breeding, Dedication to Racing, Administrative and Ancillary  Services, Care and Welfare, Newcomer and National Racing Woman of the Year.  

The finalists and winner for the tenth category, the Entain Excellence Award, will be  announced at the awards evening.  

Category winners will receive $10,000 with finalists in each category receiving $2,000.  The overall winner will receive an extra $5,000 on top of their $10,000 category win, and  a $5,000 educational package.  

IRT, Windsor Park Stud, Waikato Stud and Breckon Farms are also valued supporters of  the awards and the awards function, which will be held in Auckland on Sunday, 28 July.  

Industry Excellence Awards finalists:  

Leadership 

Cameron Ring  

Sarah Clausen 

Hunter Durrant 

Equine Handling (Stud or Stable) 

Michaela Sobieska  

Faith Pollock 

Nathan Williamson

Greyhound Excellence 

Mikayla Clark  

Katie Wyllie 

Corey Steele 

Dedication to Breeding 

Ryan Figgins  

Mallory Phillips 

Jamie Bartlett 

Dedication to Racing 

Jazz Leigh  

Emma Smith 

Sarah O’Reilly 

Administrative and Ancillary Services 

Jack Collings  

Jo Stevens 

Scott Buchanan 

Care and Welfare 

Chanelle Dickie  

Anna Baigent 

Erika Matterson 

Newcomer  

Matia Grace  

Shannon MacDonald 

Raquel Wilkes 

National Racing Woman of the Year  

Sam Mynott  

Caitlin O’Sullivan  

Portia Matthews 

Emma Smith 

Elizabeth Whelan 

For more information, contact:  

Matt Smith

Senior Manager – Communications

Entain Australia and New Zealand

M: 027 228 5423

E: matt.smith@entaingroup.co.nz

From Entain NZ