2026 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Finalists and Runners-up Announced

30 July, 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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 Awards
info@tiea.org
(859) 255-8537
www.tiea.org