Fennessy was presented with the award that honours the often unknown and unrecognised workforce that keeps the racing and breeding world turning.
An assistant trainer with the Lindsay Park team in Melbourne, Fennessy received top votes in the Dedication to Racing category of the Awards and was also named the winner of the overall Thoroughbred Excellence Award.
Joining Fennessy on the winners’ list at the seventh staging of the SSSA was David Hanratty from Yarradale Stud in Western Australia who took out the Leadership Award and former star Queensland apprentice Mandy Radecker who overcame severe injuries that ended her riding career but could not stop her from continuing to work with thoroughbreds, Radecker was named winner of the Horsemanship Award.
In the Dedication to Breeding category, Steve Brien, the former stud manager at Twin Hills Stud in NSW, was rewarded in the Thoroughbred Care and Welfare category.
Victoria’s Jade Willis received recognition for rehoming and retraining hundreds of thoroughbreds; and in the Administration and Ancillary Services section, Cassandra Simmonds of Magic Millions was recognised.
Fennessy receives a cash prize of $10,000 in the Dedication to Racing section and a further $5000 as winner of the Thoroughbred Excellence Award.
Each of the winners, except for the Newcomer, win $10,000 and a trophy, with each runner-up receiving $3000. The Newcomer Award carries a $5,000 prize plus an educational experience in Dubai (Covid permitting).
