PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- Chip Mansfield
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
July 30, 2026
2026 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Finalists and Runners-up Announced
LEXINGTON, KY. — The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (TIEA) today announced the finalists and runners-up across seven categories as the program celebrates its 11th anniversary in 2026.
Finalists will travel to Lexington, Kentucky, for the awards ceremony on Tuesday, October 20, where they and a guest will participate in a series of special events, including a tour of a local horse farm, a stallion showcase, the awards dinner, and an afternoon of racing at Keeneland the following day.
The first stage of judging concluded on July 27, when the shortlist judging panel met at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York, to select this year's finalists and runners-up. The second and final round of judging will take place October 20, when finalists will participate in in-person interviews with the judging panel.
Returning as panel chair, Joe Clancy of The Saratoga Special praised the caliber of this year's nominees.
"Once again, the nominees put forward for the TIEA program were talented, dedicated individuals who all deserve recognition and gratitude for the work they do," said Clancy. "On behalf of the judging panel, thank you for the opportunity to be involved. Selecting finalists and runners-up was both challenging and rewarding. Congratulations to the finalists and to all of this year's nominees."
Clancy also acknowledged the organizations whose support makes the awards program possible.
"Thank you to the National HBPA, TOBA, The Jockey Club, Keeneland, Breeders' Cup, and Godolphin for their ongoing support and underwriting of these awards. We are equally grateful to the TIEA media partners, including Thoroughbred Daily News, The Saratoga Special, BloodHorse, Daily Racing Form, FanDuel, Real Players Inside the Backstretch, Paulick Report, FOX Sports, and America's Day at the Races, for helping us share these stories across the industry. Special thanks also go to Roberto Rodriguez of DRF en Español and Carlos Morales of Agentes 305 for helping reach Spanish-speaking audiences."
TIEA is also pleased to welcome back category sponsors Hallway Feeds, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA), NYRA Bets, Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Keeneland, Churchill Downs, and 1/ST Racing.
In addition, Kentucky Downs/KHBPA returns as the program's Travel Sponsor, helping offset transportation and lodging costs for out-of-town finalists attending the awards in October.
Award Prizes
Winners of the Katherine McKee Administration Award, Dedication to Breeding Award, Dedication to Racing Award, Managerial Award, Community Award, and Support Services Award will each receive $7,500, while the remaining two finalists in each category will receive $3,500. Two runners-up in each category will receive $2,000.
The Newcomer Award winner will receive $5,000, with the other two finalists receiving $2,500 each. Two runners-up in the category will receive $1,000 each.
2026 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Finalists
Katherine McKee Administration Award
Sponsored by Keeneland
Finalists
Julie Kent, Brookdale Farm
Samantha Bussanich, Casse Racing
Tammy Wright, Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma
Runners-up
Jackie Herbstreit, Churchill Downs
Margie Levine, Southern California Equine Foundation
Support Services Award
Sponsored by 1/ST Racing
Finalists
Javier Gonzalez, Santa Anita Park
Sheri Miller, Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital
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
Finalists
Macrino Vasquez, WinStar Farm
Manuel Perez, Hermitage Farm
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 National Thoroughbred Racing Association
Finalists
David Carroll, Cherie DeVaux Racing
Kelly Wheeler, Eddie Kenneally Racing
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
Finalists
Andy Belfiore, NYTHA
Arcelia "Chuy" Bibian-Ascencio, Highlander Training Center
Sheri Holmes Stirling, Gulfstream Park
Runners-up
Jim Scott, Vegso Racing Stables
Kathy Bacon, Runnymede Farm
Newcomer Award
Sponsored by NYRA Bets
Finalists
Aidan Turnage-Barney, Virginia HBPA
Lexi Corti, Carlos David Racing
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
Finalists
Jan Pettinger, Arkansas Thoroughbred Retirement and Rehabilitation Foundation
Miguel Paz, Virginia HBPA / Colonial Downs Track Kitchen
Susan Powers, Kentucky Equine Adoption Center
Runners-up
Anne Sweet, Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association
Jodie Vella-Gregory, 1/ST Racing
Media Contact
Thoroughbred Industry Employee
(859) 255-8537
