Video submissions will also be accepted for the first time in advance of the 2019 awards, ensuring that the nominations procedure is as fair as possible for all those involved, irrespective of their level of written communication and language skills.

Hugh Anderson, Managing Director of Godolphin (UK and Dubai), said: “Godolphin is again delighted to sponsor these prestigious awards in 2019 which have become a highlight of the racing industry’s year. It is so important to reward those devoted, dedicated people who do so much for our industry and on behalf of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, I wish all those nominated the best of luck.”

As well as recognising and rewarding stud and stable staff, the awards are an advertisement for racing as a great place to work and an industry that looks after its horses and its people. The ‘Rory MacDonald Community Award’ recognises those connected with the industry who contribute to benefit the wider community.

Nick Rust, Chief Executive of the BHA, said: “People who work at yards and studs up and down the country do so much work behind the scenes to provide exceptional care for our horses and keep the racing and breeding industries running.

“These awards are vitally important and remind us year on year of some of the inspirational people who we are so lucky to work alongside.”

The winner of the David Nicholson Newcomer Award will once again benefit from a five-day educational trip to Dubai to learn more about the country’s racing, culture and custom. The prize includes return flights and five nights’ accommodation in a luxury hotel and is in addition to the £2,000 prize money for the winner and £2,000 for their yard, courtesy of Godolphin.

Alan Byrne, Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief of the Racing Post, said: “Racing Post is proud to be associated with these wonderful awards, which have done so much to give stud and stable staff the recognition they so richly deserve. We would encourage everyone who is lucky enough to employ talented and dedicated staff in their racing yard or stud farm to nominate them for one of the fantastic prizes on offer as a result of Sheikh Mohammed’s continuing generosity.”

Nominations are now open for owners, trainers, breeders, colleagues and managers to show their appreciation for hard-working members of staff by nominating online here.

Last year’s winner of the Employee of The Year Award, Jessica McLernon, said: “It was such an honour to win the Leadership Award and be named Employee of the Year for 2018 and I want to thank everyone at Musley Bank and throughout the industry who supported me during the nomination and selection process. If you know of, or work with, someone who you think is deserving of these awards, please nominate them – I can think of no better way to show them the appreciation they deserve and make them feel like a valued member of our industry.”