Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma (TRAO) is at Keeneland.

8 hours ago

Please take a moment to congratulate Tammy Wright on this outstanding accomplishment.

Thoroughbred Industry Employee Award winners announced for 2026
21 October, 2026

The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards marked its 11th year anniversary in North America on October 20th in Lexington, Kentucky, by once again recognizing and celebrating the unsung heroes that work in the Thoroughbred industry. Winners were announced in a total of seven categories with a total of $122,000 awarded. Gabby Gaudet, Director of Communications at Keeneland, served as the master of ceremonies.

Joe Clancy, Publisher and Co-owner of the Saratoga Special, and serving his second year as judging panel chair, said, “This was my second year involved with the TIEA Awards and it was as rewarding and as challenging as last year. The task was not easy at all, but I and the other judges were honored to be part of this. It’s rare for a triple dead heat in our business, but that’s what it felt like while discussing the finalists in each category. We were amazed by everyone and this shows how many talented and dedicated people there are in the Thoroughbred industry. They truly are the backbone of our industry and are great ambassadors of our sport.”

The full list of winners, finalists and runners-up are as follows:

Katherine McKee Administration Award, sponsored by Keeneland
Winner: Tammy Wright (Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma)
Finalists: Julie Kent (Brookdale Farm) and Samantha Bussanich (Casse Racing)
Runners-up:�Jackie Herbstreit (Churchill Downs)�Margie Levine (Southern California Equine Foundation)

Support Services Award, sponsored by 1/ST Racing�
Winner: Sheri Miller (Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital)
Finalists:�Javier Gonzalez (Santa Anita Park) and Shirley McQuillan (Equine Chiropractor)
Runners-up:�Harry Rice (NYRA)�William Fryer (Equine Safety and Security for Multiple Tracks)

Dedication to Breeding Award, sponsored by Hallway Feeds
Winner: Manuel Perez (Hermitage Farm)
Finalists: Macrino Vasquez (WinStar Farm) and Noel Ortiz Perez (Barton Thoroughbreds)
Runners-up:�Heather Mitzner (Lane’s End Farm)�Pablo Jimenez (Wild Aire Farm)

Dedication to Racing Award, sponsored by the NTRA�
Winner: David Carroll (Cherie DeVaux Racing)
Finalists: Kelly Wheeler (Eddie Kenneally Racing) and Melissa Morales (Mark Glatt Racing)
Runners-up:�Emma Wolfe (Brittany Russell Racing)�Felipe Flores (Frank Wooten Stables)

Managerial Award, sponsored by Hagyard Equine Medical Institute
Winner: Sheri Holmes Stirling (Gulfstream Park)
Finalists:�Andy Belfiore (NYTHA) and Arcelia “Chuy” Bibian-Ascencio (Highlander Training Center)
Runners-up:�Jim Scott (Vegso Racing Stables)�Kathy Bacon (Runnymede Farm)

Newcomer Award, sponsored by NYRABets�
Winner: Lexi Corti (Carlos David Racing)
Finalists:�Aidan Turnage-Barney (Virginia HBPA) and Nigel Snow (Churchill Downs)
Runners-up:�Megan Burgess (NYRA)�Silvia Piscaglia (Philip Antonacci Racing)

Dr. J. David “Doc” Richardson Community Award, sponsored by Churchill Downs�
Winner: Jan Pettinger (Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement and Rehabilitation Foundation)
Finalists: Miguel Paz (Virginia HBPA / Colonial Downs Track Kitchen) and Susan Powers (Kentucky Equine Adoption Center)
Runners-up:�Anne Sweet (Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association)�Jodie Vella-Gregory (1/ST Racing) ... See MoreSee Less