Nominations are now being called for Sydney’s ‘Strapper of the Year’ award for the 2010-2011 season.

Presented for the first time last year, this award endeavours to recognise the behind-the-scenes efforts by those strappers that tend to go beyond the call of duty.

The award, sponsored by Racing NSW and co-ordinated by Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy, is presented at NSW Racehorse Owners Association’s prestigious ‘Racing's Night of Champions’ to be held on Thursday 11th August 2011.

The award is peer-nominated with strappers at metropolitan race meetings being invited to nominate who they think is deserving of the award. A selection panel of racing officials and media representatives will subsequently choose the winner from a short-list of six finalists.

Nominations can be submitted online  or by downloading the following form: Sydney Strapper of the Year – Nomination Form

Nominations close Friday, 24th June 2011.

For further information, contact Colin Watts from Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy via:-
Mobile: 0409 571 163
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

ARCC again helped facilitate the Sydney Autumn Carnival Strapper Awards.  These awards were donated by the Australian Turf Club and presented to the strapper of the winning horse in the Golden Slipper at Rosehill and the Doncaster Mile at Randwick .  Congratulations to the winners: Amir Gegic (Sepoy) and Anna Kamper (Sacred Choice).

(Pictured: Anna Kamper, strapper of Sacred Choice on Doncaster Day)

(Photo courtesy of Steve White)

The National Jockeys Trust will be conducting their "Racing for our Lives" luncheon on Thursday April 21.

This event to be hosted by Malcolm Johnston and Corey Brown, will help injured jockeys and their families by raising funds for the National Jockeys Trust.

Where:    Oaks Lawn Marquee, Royal Randwick Racecourse

When:      12:00 noon - 3:30pm

Booking:  Tickets are $150 each and are available at www.njt.org.au
                Tables of 10 available.
                Book by Tuesday 5 April 2011.

For further information, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 

The Sydney Racing Fraternity Mass was held on March 13 at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, Kensington.  Conducted by Father Adrian Meaney and organised by Br Dan Stafford, the racing mass was attended by a congregation consisting of people from all parts of the racing community.

(Photos courtesy of Steve White)

Congratulations to ARCC's Epsom Super Saturday Strapper Awards winners!!

ARCC presented awards to the strapper of the "Best Paraded Horse" for each race at Royal Randwick's Epsom Super Saturday meeting on October 2nd 2010

Judging took place in the parade ring as the horses were paraded before each race and took into account the presentation of horse and handler, as well as the horse handling skills of the strapper.

A big thank you to our judge Colin Watts Snr (pictured here with Race 10 winner, Skye Smalley) who once again braved the Epsom rain.

Thanks also to the various AJC staff who assisted with the practical arrangements.

The full list of winners is as follows:

The Sydney Racing Industry Golf Day was held on Monday 6th September at St Michael's Golf Course, Little Bay.  As well as being a fun day of golf, this was a major fundraising event for ARCC.

A big thank you to all who attended on the day - whether for golf or for the luncheon. 
Thank you also to Hon. Tony Stewart MP (fillng in at short notice for Kevin Greene who was indisposed due to medical reasons), our event ambassador Glyn Schofield and our MC Glenn Munsie.

The perpetual trophy for the winning team was awarded to the TAB Sportsbet team.

We especially thank our major sponsors on the day - Sky Racing, Inglis Bloodstock, Coolmore Australia and Gooree Park Wines.

Congratulations to Melissa Williams
Sydney Strapper of the Year  2009-2010

Melissa Williams has been a stablehand with the John O’Shea stables for four years, having previously worked at Warwick Farm. Some of the horses she has attended over the past 12 months include Informality, Strawberry Field, Petraeus and Honest Lies.

Despite having to contend with serious health issues which require ongoing extensive medical treatment, she completes her duties way beyond expectations.  She commences work up to two hours prior to the rest of the stable employees and often remains hours after everyone else has gone.  Even on her days off, she will usually stop in to check on her horses. It is not unusual for Mel to purchase (from her own pocket) a special rug or new set of race boots or fly vale for one of the horses in her care.

Mel has a very open and honest personality, with a great sense of humour that endears her to everyone and she is always willing to lend a hand when needed. Her joyous nature and matriarchal role within the stable play an integral part in providing a happy workplace.

Mel is an exceptional horsewoman who forms an immediate close bond with her horses. Her attention to detail is second to none and her horses are always happy, relaxed and extremely well groomed.

Nothing is too much trouble or effort for the horses under her care.  The horses always come first – fast or slow, worth $1400 or $14million – they are all treated with the same blend of love, care, consistency and discipline.

Melissa Williams is a most deserved winner of the inaugural Sydney Strapper of the Year.

(The Sydney Strapper of the Year Award was hosted by NSW Racehorse Owners Association at their prestigious Racing's Night of Champions event, sponsored by Racing NSW and coordinated by Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy)

Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy, in conjunction with Racing NSW and the NSW Racehorse Owners Association is pleased to announce the inaugural  "Strapper of the Year" award for Sydney racing.

The purpose of the award is to provide industry recognition for the contribution made by stable staff to the racing industry.

The winner will be announced at the NSW Racehorse Owners Association's annual Racing's Night of Champions on Thursday August 12, 2010.

Each strapper at four consecutive metropolitan meetings was invited to nominate up to three persons (from different stables) whom they thought suitable for the award.  Over 50 people were nominated.  These were then reduced to a short list of six using input from racing officials, trainers and track staff - a process made agonisingly difficult by the large number and high quality of equally worthy candidates.
 
The six finalists for the award are:

Joanne Farley

Joanne has worked for Rod Craig at Warwick Farm for over 7 years.  Horses she has attended to during the past 12 months include Sir Nick, Velocity Gal, Clever Gaze and Intermac.  Always friendly and with a ready smile, her horse skills and her attention to detail make her a wonderful backup to Rod everyday, and especially on raceday - where the complete confidence he has in her enables him to spend more time with the owners.

Anthony Rosta

Anthony has worked for Rosehill trainer Lee Curtis for over 13 years. Extremely reliable and hard working, Anthony's dedication to the stables is legendary. Horses he has worked with this season include Black Routine, Voltabolta, Flight Command and Planet Melmac.  An outstanding horseman, with a particular knack of coaxing young horses to behave, the patience and love he has for his horses helps them to produce their best.

Sachio Shimizu

Sachio has worked at David Payne's Rosehill stables for the past 4 years.  With exceptional horse handling skills and a top class work ethic, Sachio has earned the respect of all those around him.  Horses he has attended this year include Girl Hussler, Emperor Bonaparte, Flaming Rock and Magic Model.

Skye Smalley

Skye is a talented horsewoman with many years of experience, the past 5 years having been with Guy Walter's stables at Warwick Farm.  Horses she has attended over the season include Yallingup, Dane Fontane, Kylie and Cash Attack.  Hard working and reliable, her bright and friendly manner makes her a key member of the team.

Leonard Todd

Len has been a highly valued member of staff at Les Bridge's Randwick stables for the past 5 years. Horses he has worked with this season include Gunnadoit, Sir Wally, Zeta and Hot Danish.  Punctual, reliable and loyal, the special bond Len has developed with the great Hot Danish and his devotion to her welfare has played a very important part in her success.

Melissa Williams

Mel has worked for John O'Shea at his Randwick stables for the past 4 years.  She is renowned for not just going the extra mile, but an extra two or three.  Mel is  an exceptional horsewoman with an outstanding empathy for her horses.  Moreover her joyous nature and matriarchal role within the stables make a significant contribution to the working environment.  Horses Mel has worked with over the past year include Informality, Strawberry Field, Petraeus, and Honest Lies.

 

Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy, in conjunction with Racing NSW is pleased to announce the establishment of a "Strapper of the Year" award for Sydney Racing.

"Sometimes those behind the scenes get overlooked.  This award will give some recognition to their efforts" said Ray Murrihy, Chairman of Stewards at Racing NSW.

The award will be peer-nominated with strappers at metropolitan race meetings being invited to nominate whom they think is deserving of the award.  "Surely, those who best know are the strappers themselves" said Rev Colin Watts of ARCC. 

A selected panel of racing officials and media representatives will then choose a winner from the short-listed nominations.

The winner will be announced at the NSWROA "Racing's Night of Champions" on Thursday 12th August.

For further information, contact Colin Watts on 0409 571 163 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Training horses is a team effort.  And an important part of that team is the stablehand (strapper) who cares for the horses day by day (walks them, swims them, feeds them, grooms them for raceday).  To help recognise the contribution of the strapper, ARCC is sponsoring trophies for the strapper of the winning horses at the feature Autumn carnival races of the STC and AJC - namely the Golden Slipper and the Doncaster Mile respectively.  It is traditional for the owner, trainer and jockey to receive trophies.  This year the strappers will receive one too.

Update:  Congratulations to Jarrod Jones, strapper of Crystal Lily in the Golden Slipper; and to Deltalwinder Singh, strapper of Rangirangdoo in the Doncaster Mile.