Trainer Sam Bergerson has been recognised by his peers when receiving the top gong at the New Zealand Entain Industry Excellence Awards.
Bergerson is part of the Te Akau Racing juggernaut, training in partnership with Mark Walker for the last two seasons, securing the trainers’ premiership last season and leads this year’s premiership with 127 wins and more than $9.1 million in stakes earnings.
The 31-year-old’s achievements were recognised on Sunday night, receiving the Equine Licence Holder Excellence Award before being bestowed the overall Supreme Entain Excellence Award.
Bergerson received $10,000 as a category winner and an additional $5000 as the Entain Excellence Award winner, as well as a $5000 education package.
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry.
A daughter of Hall of Fame jockey and Group 1-winning trainer Lance O’Sullivan, O’Sullivan Doyle took out the National Racing Woman of the Year category for her pursuits in marketing and communications, alongside work as a presenter and ambassador.
Cambridge Stud’s assistant yearling manager Alice Jeffries received the Newcomer Excellence Award.
Growing up on a sheep and beef farm in Tauranga, Jeffries’ father Warwick Jeffries delved into breeding on a small scale and was rewarded in a big way, breeding glamour mare Legarto out of his mare Geordie Girl.
Before she was a three-time Group 1 winner and $2 million earner, much of Legarto’s handling and early education was conducted by Jeffries, who took her through the sales ring at Karaka in 2021 where she was knocked down to Ancroft Stud for $90,000.
