Cambridge Stud Bloodstock Manager Cameron Ring capped off a weekend to remember after taking away the supreme Entain Excellence Award at the inaugural Industry Excellence Awards in Auckland on Sunday night.
Fresh off winning the Mary-Lynne Ryan Young Achiever Award at the National Breeding Awards on Saturday night, Ring (29) was voted as the winner of the Leadership category before going on to be named the first-ever winner of the Entain Excellence Award, which was decided out of the nine individual category winners.
The awards were created by Entain Australia and New Zealand, the operators of TAB, to recognise the emerging leaders and rising stars under the age of 40 in the ranks across all three racing codes.
Ring, who was nominated for the Awards by Cambridge Stud CEO Henry Plumptre, recently moved to the role of Bloodstock Manager at the Stud after previously working in sales and nominations. He now not only oversees the extremely valuable horse population at one of New Zealand’s most famous breeding operations but is also responsible for much of the on-farm management of staff.
Each category winner received a $10,000 cash prize, with finalists receiving $2000 cash. Mr Ring also received an extra $5000 on top of his $10,000 category win, and a $5000 educational package.
The Awards also received valued support from key industry organisations IRT, Waikato Stud, Windsor Park Stud and Breckon Farms.
“We’ve been absolutely thrilled by the response to our inaugural Industry Excellence Awards,” Entain’s General Manager – New Zealand and one of the judges, Jessica Meech, said.
“We had many deserving nominations from all codes, and selecting our finalists and winners has been challenging. We are delighted for Cameron and all of our category winners and look forward to building on the success of these Awards next year.”
Popular North Island harness trainer and social media identity Jo Stevens claimed the Administrative and Ancillary Services Award, while Greyhound Racing New Zealand Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Whelan was named National Racing Woman of the year.
Matia Grace, who has made a big impact since entering the racing industry as the track manager at Tauherenikau Racecourse in South Wairarapa, won the Newcomer Award, while the judges could not split two of the finalists in the Care and Welfare Award, with Chanelle Dickie and Anna Baigent both collecting $10,000 prizes for their work in this space.
Other category winners were: Michaela Sobieska (Equine Handling (Stud or Stable)), Mikayla Clark (The Greyhound Excellence Award), Ryan Figgins (Dedication to Breeding) and Emma Smith (Dedication to Racing).