Cover image courtesy of Godolphin
It’s hard to imagine this week that the Gold Coast could host any more racing people, but on Wednesday night, after robust trade at the Magic Millions National Sale, the city by the sea did just that with the 2021 Stud and Stable Staff Awards Ceremony.
A raft of industry folk gathered at the Gold Coast Turf Club to honour the unsung, often unseen heroes of racing and breeding, with the announcement of seven individual award winners, plus an overall Thoroughbred Excellence Award.
Lindsay Park’s Gary Fennessy was the main winner of the night.
The assistant trainer at the operation’s Flemington base, who has worked in the Lindsay Park ranks for a staggering 54 years, won the category of Dedication to Racing, plus the over-arching Thoroughbred Excellence Award. It was substantial recognition for the man widely known as ‘Bim’, who joined Lindsay Park as a teenager in the days of CS Hayes.
Ben Hayes, Gary Fennessy, Jen McAlpine and Julia Ritchie | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“I started when I was about 15, so it’s been quite a while,” Fennessy said. “I’ve been able to work with some amazing horses and some of the best staff. It’s a good feeling to be recognised, and I’m very thankful for the people that voted for me.”
“I’ve been able to work with some amazing horses and some of the best staff. It’s a good feeling to be recognised, and I’m very thankful for the people that voted for me.” - Gary Fennessy
Fennessy was a popular winner in the room, earning $10,000 with the Dedication to Racing Award, plus another $5000 for his recognition of overall excellence. Godolphin Australia’s Managing Director Vin Cox backed up the recognition of important players like Fennessy.
“These awards are about these guys that are in the background, doing the hard yards in the hours of the day where most of us are tucked up in bed,” Cox said. “When we can acknowledge those that work in the industry that have the passion, desire and emotion, we need to, because these people deserve it.”
Vin Cox
The quiet achiever
This year marked the seventh year of the Godolphin-sponsored Stud and Stable Staff Awards, and few nominees were as popular in the weeks leading into Wednesday night’s ceremony as Cassandra Simmonds.
Well-mannered, softly spoken Simmonds is the Race Series and CRM Systems administrator at Magic Millions, a role that she has held since her move to the Gold Coast in 2012.
Simmonds is the reliable hand behind many of Magic Millions’s local, interstate and international client relations, and a vital cog during sales. She won the Administration and Ancillary Services Award on Wednesday night, fending off Arrowfield’s Jess Hood.
“I was very overwhelmed, and very embarrassed,” Simmonds said. “I even hate my photo being taken, so I was really freaked out about the whole thing. But I feel very lucky. I’m just doing my job, and the satisfaction I get out of it is helping people progress in the industry, whether it’s in a small way or a large way. Every participant matters.”
"I’m just doing my job, and the satisfaction I get out of it is helping people progress in the industry, whether it’s in a small way or a large way. Every participant matters." - Cassandra Simmonds
That attitude is what has made her such a popular, and important, addition to Magic Millions.
Simmonds was touched by the flow of compliments that have come her way since the announcement of her nomination some months ago, but she is definite about what gives her the greatest buzz.
“The nicest compliment is if everybody feels like they’re treated the same, whether you’re Tom Magnier or a small breeder from Port Macquarie,” Simmonds said. “Everyone should feel special about their investment in the industry.”
Reluctant star
Simmonds is a native of Geelong, but spent many years with William Inglis & Sons at its Sydney office under the old Moreton Bay fig tree at Newmarket.
When Vin Cox took over managing director duties at Magic Millions, he poached Simmonds for the Gold Coast, where she has been ever since.
“I had a great time at Inglis, and learned a lot,” she said. “I was privileged to work there, and it presented as a challenge to move somewhere new and set up a life. To be honest, Sydney never felt like home, but it was a daunting move to go somewhere without family and friends, especially as you get older. But things fall into place when you’re invested in your job.”
Cassandra Simmonds
Simmonds is invested.
She is tireless in her daily duties, and committed to their detail. She rarely raises her voice and is almost never on poor terms with anyone. She was nominated for the award by Magic Millions colleagues Lisa Galloway and Tom Reilly.
“I didn’t know about it until after it happened, and I was dragged into it kicking and screaming,” Simmonds said. “If they’d asked my permission, I would have said no.”
“I didn’t know about it until after it happened, and I was dragged into it kicking and screaming. If they’d asked my permission, I would have said no.” - Cassandra Simmonds
But she isn’t ungrateful. Simmonds is shy of the spotlight, and Wednesday night’s ceremony, with all its pomp and attention, made her nervous. She donned a black dress she had bought four years ago, one she had never worn, and absorbed the urgings of her team.
“I was very nervous, but it was nice to have the support in the room,” she said. “I felt very supported, so while it was uncomfortable, it was a secure kind of uncomfortable. I’ve had emails and texts from people in America, Europe and Hong Kong, and even my first boss who employed me in racing rang me up to congratulate me.”
That was John McCaffrey, the former chief veterinary surgeon for Racing Victoria.
“He saw something in me all those years ago that gave me my first job in racing, so to hear from him was really lovely,” Simmonds said.
2021 Finalists for the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards (winners in bold)
THOROUGHBRED EXCELLENCE AWARD
Gary Fennessy - Lindsay Park VIC
ADMINISTRATION AND ANCILLARY SERVICES
Cassandra Simmonds – Magic Millions QLD
Jess Hood – Arrowfield NSW
DEDICATION TO BREEDING
Steve Brien- Twin Hills Stud NSW
Carla Aliphon – Cityview Farm VIC
DEDICATION TO RACING
Gary Fennessy – Lindsay Park VIC
John Brady – Waterhouse Bott NSW
HORSEMANSHIP
Mandy Radecker – Michael Lakey Racing QLD
Adam Shankley – Arrowfield NSW
NEWCOMER AWARD
Jack Cripps – McEvoy Mitchell Racing VIC
Fiona Bayly – Ciaron Maher Racing VIC
LEADERSHIP
David Hanratty – Yarradale WA
Samantha Parkes – Godolphin NSW
THOROUGHBRED CARE AND WELFARE
Jade Willis – JW Equestrian VIC
Jordan Priest – Eureka Stud QLD
*winners received $10,000 plus trophy, with each runner-up receiving $3000. Newcomer Award winner received $5000 plus an educational experience in Dubai (COVID permitting)
