Delight for Shropshire as Adrian Stewart and Sarah Taylor win prestigious horseracing industry awards

It was good news for Shropshire on Monday evening as Adrian Stewart and Sarah Taylor, based at David Loughnane Racing and Mickley Stud respectively, came out on top at the 2018 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, which is organised by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).

Beating highly competitive fields from a total entry of over 250 nominations, Adrian was successful in the David Nicholson Newcomer Category while Sarah landed the Stud Staff Award at the 14th annual ceremony which look to recognise and reward the outstanding skills, commitment and contribution of British racing’s 6,000 stud and stable staff.

Both Adrian and Sarah take home £5,000 as a result of their successes, with the same amount matched and shared amongst their colleagues at their places of work near Market Drayton. The awards were presented with by ex-England football star Michael Owen at a star-studded awards event in London on Monday night.

​Adrian Stewart
Adrian joined David Loughnane’s team having had a difficult start in life. His path into racing started with a conversation with a chaplain whilst he was in prison, who recommended he look into the Northern Racing College in Doncaster.

Having completed his training Adrian ended up joining David’s team at Helshaw Grange, and since doing so he has proven himself to be completely dedicated to his job, the horses in the yard and the team there.
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Adrian said:
“The horses have given me a great life and a future. The only thing I can do when I come into work is to make the horses as happy as I can and give them the best care that I can to repay the happiness they have given me.

“Racing has given me a whole other life. To win this award and work with people, team and family I’m around now is a world I couldn’t have dreamed of.”

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Sarah Taylor
Sarah is one of the real unsung heroes in breeding, waiting up late at night to foal mares, tending  to sick horses, and doing all the unglamorous things that many do not see.

Sarah said:
“I’m in shock. I was very honoured to get to the final and to win the award is unbelievable really.”

Nick Rust, Chief Executive of the BHA, said:

“British racing employs over 6,000 people to provide first class care and attention for the 14,000 horses in training at any one time, providing them with a level of care and a quality of life that is virtually unsurpassed by any other domesticated animal.  It is a fantastic achievement for Sarah and Adrian to have won in their respective categories and on behalf of the BHA I’d like to pass on our warmest congratulations.”

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