2026 Australian Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards nominations open

The Straight is proud to support the 2026 Australian Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (ATIEA), with nominations for this year’s awards now open.

The ATIEA, formerly known as the Stud and Stable Staff Awards, are a great opportunity to celebrate the contribution for all those who work in the back rooms, offices and stables of the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry.

The Straight will be sponsoring the Administration and Ancillary Services Award.

Nominations will close at 5pm AEST on Monday, February 16, with the Awards Ceremony to be held on Monday, May 25 on the Gold Coast.

Now in their 12^th year, the ATIEA have directly rewarded over 100 workers whose vital contributions to the industry are so often taken for granted.

All of them have the opportunity to again be acknowledged through the awards conducted by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, with the global support of Godolphin and a list of industry sponsors.

In 2026, the ATIEA will again offer cash prizes in eight categories covering all aspects of racing, breeding and associated areas.

The ATIEA Lifetime Achievement Award will be introduced in 2026 to honour individuals who have made an exceptional and sustained contribution to the Australian thoroughbred industry over many years. To streamline the program, the Thoroughbred Excellence Award has been retired.

Awards will be presented in the categories of:

• Leadership;
• Dedication to Racing;
• Dedication to Breeding;
• Administrative and Ancillary Services;
• Horsemanship;
• Thoroughbred Care and Welfare; and
• ATIEA Lifetime Achievement Award.

Each category offers a cash prize of $10,000 for the winner and $3,000 for the runner-up (excluding ATIEA Lifetime Achievement Award), except for the Newcomer category, where the winner receives $5,000 and the runner-up $3,000.

In 2026, the AITEA has the backing of sponsors from across the racing, media and breeding industry for each of the seven award categories:

• Magic Millions (Dedication to Breeding);
• Yulong Stud (Dedication to Racing);
• Inglis (Horsemanship);
• Queensland Off-The-Track Program (Thoroughbred Care and Welfare);
• AgriFutures (Leadership);
• The Straight (Administration and Ancillary Services);
• Australian Trainers Association (Newcomer); and
• Godolphin (ATIEA Lifetime Achievement Award).

All nominations must be accompanied by a testimonial detailing the reasons why a nominee deserves an award.

Click here for more information and to make a nomination.