David Merrick’s unique array of skills and his willingness to share his knowledge have been acknowledged with the long-serving Widden Stud employee winning the Thoroughbred Excellence category of the 2019 Godolphin Stud and Stable Awards (GSSSA).
Merrick is the Hunter Valley operation’s stud manager and he also collected the Dedication to Breeding Award at Randwick on Friday at a ceremony attended by leading trainers Tony McEvoy and James Cummings, MP Michael Johnsen, Widden principal Anthony Thompson and Vinery Stud general manager Peter Orton.
The awards recognised Merrick’s lifetime dedication to the industry, the last 26 years at Widden.
For Merrick, his latest recognition follows his naming in 2018 as winner of the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ coveted Murray Bain Award that honours the outstanding achievements of those who champion exceptional service and hands on practice.
Merrick’s nominator, Widden manager Derek Field, praised him for his leadership, dedication and “a total involvement in every aspect of the business at any time of the night or day, year-after-year.”
“David’s passion and time and his selfless attitude of forever giving is something he should be proud of,” said Widden manager Derek Field, who nominated Merrick for the Godolphin Award.
“David’s passion and time and his selfless attitude of forever giving is something he should be proud of.” – Derek Field.
“His one-on-one relationships with our clients are testimony to the regard in which he is held and the utmost trust and respect of all who work with him. David has devoted his life to the breeding industry.”
David Merrick
Merrick is one of seven award winners who were chosen from a record 150 nominations from every Australian state and territory representing every area of the industry.
Each of the winners received a trophy and a cash prize of $10,000 with $3000 to share among fellow workers. Each runner-up each received $1000, aside from The Newcomer Award, who received $5000 plus $3000 to fellow workers, plus an all-expenses paid trip to Dubai. The runner-up received $1000.
The Thoroughbred Excellence Award winner received a trophy and $5000 in addition to their prize for winning their category, plus an additional $2000 to fellow workers.
Award winners:
Dedication to Breeding: David Merrick (Widden Stud).
Runner-up: Stephanie Mitchell (Mungrup Stud).
Dedication to Racing: Steve Adams (Anthony Freedman Racing).
Runner-Up: Michael Shepherdson (McEvoy Mitchell Racing).
Leadership: David White (Vinery Stud).
Runner-up: Simon Johnson (Godolphin).
Horsemanship: Warren Sutton (McEvoy Mitchell Racing).
Runner-up: Nigel Bentley (Arrowfield Stud).
Administration: Cecelia O'Gorman (Thoroughbred Breeders Australia).
Runner-up: Susan Willis (Yulong Investments).
Care and Welfare: Lindy Thewlis (self-employed).
Runner-up: Fiona McIntrye (self-employed).
Newcomer: Talia Cranfield (Godolphin).
Runner-Up: Alyssa Pickels (Kitchwin Hills Stud).
The GSSSA, sponsored by Godolphin and partners throughout the industry and convened by Racing Australia and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, aims to recognise and reward those who work in all areas of the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry.
The GSSSA were established by Godolphin’s founder Sheikh Mohammed to recognise that stud and stable staff who are the backbone of the horseracing industry and sponsors the awards in five countries.
