The list of nominations for this year’s TBWA Staff Awards reflected the incredible contributions of our members whose dedication, skill and passion drive the WA industry forward.
The four winners at last Saturday’s TBWA Awards at Ascot are eligible for nomination in the Australian Stud & Stable Staff Awards. Previous WA winners who have also won the prestigious National Awards include Bernie Hamill and Davy Hanratty (Yarradale Stud) and Ngyrie Gonzales (Alwyn Park).
Leadership Award – Marge Ojapold (Ridgeport Farm)
Ridgeport Farm is honoured our Stud Manager Marge Ojapold has been recognised for her exceptional contributions to the breeding industry with the TBWA Leadership Award.
During the last three years there have been significant changes and growth at Ridgeport Farm and Marge has been at the forefront to ensure a seamless transition to a successful operation that hasn’t impacted the welfare of the horse or disruption to our loyal client base.
Marge arrived here from Estonia in 2012 and her dedication, expertise and passion have significantly advanced Ridgeport Farm’s breeding initiatives and set a benchmark for excellence in the industry.
Her leadership and being a mentor for Ridgeport staff has provided opportunities to accelerate their knowledge and create an environment for those individuals to fulfil their own ambitions within the industry.
That passion includes racing and breeding from her own mares and that’s been exemplified by Watch Me Rock (Awesome Rock) who won the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) last month. Marge races him in partnership with Ridgeport principal Santo Guagliardo, her partner Ben Gudjonsson and former Ridgeport team member Angelina Blaskovic.
Dedication to Breeding Award – Elizabeth Rogers (Mogumber Park)
Lizzie has worked at Mogumber Park for almost 10 years in two separate engagements. Small in stature but huge in energy, care and commitment, Lizzy has been the backbone of our staff group for many years.
In an industry that continually presents staffing challenges, she exemplifies the essence of the person all studs aspire to have. First to arrive; last to leave; always available when an issue occurs and with an emotional connection to the farm and the horses.
The Mogumber Park blood runs through her veins. Every foal and their personalities are etched in her memory. Whenever one of our graduates goes to the trials or races, she will remind us of their farm names and their quirks, highlights and challenges and of course the yearling sale details.
Her passion and dedication make her an extremely deserving recipient of the Dedication to Breeding Award.
Administration & Ancillary Services Award – Bernadette Hamill (Yarradale Stud)
Bernie Hamill requires no introduction to the West Australian Thoroughbred industry. Having some 40 plus years in all facets, including internationally in the UK & USA, in an era that saw the opportunity to travel very limited. Bernie was appointed Stud Manager of Yarradale, by the Sayers family in 2004 and excelled in her role, with a contribution that has seen Yarradale become one of the leading thoroughbred nurseries of Western Australia. This culminated into National recognition when in 2015 ,Bernie was the winner of the prestigious Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Award, in the Dedication To Breeding category.
In recent years with a change of business structure Bernie has stepped into a mentoring and administration role at Yarradale, and in true Bernie style she has ensured no stone has been left unturned in each task she completes on a daily basis. She is a stickler for getting the job done “properly,” and we couldn’t love her more for it. Bernie’s relationships with some of our long standing clients is just what the building blocks of our industry thrive on. Whether its Perth Racing, The Stud Book, RWWA, or long standing clients of the farm, Bernie is always available and ready to advise on any query whether it be financial, billing related, motors and machines, horse handing & husbandry, parks & gardens, you name it, Bernie is the person you want on the end of the phone.
Bernie continues to share her infinite wealth of knowledge to all budding staff members, ensuring they are capable of gaining employment anywhere they should choose to in the industry. This award not only highlights Bernie’s dedication to the thoroughbred industry, but has acknowledged a lifetime of experience that we all continue to reap the rewards from. Yarradale would not be what it is today without Bernie’s contribution.
Newcomer Award – Imogen Freeman (Forestview Farm)
Imogen first came to us as a Year 10 work-placement student at High School. What started as one term, extended to Year 11 and Year 12 as well as extra days during the holidays.
Imogen did the 2024-25 Perth sales prep with us as well as the week at the sales as extra learning for her Equine Studies course. She recently graduated Year 12 and now works full time here at Forestview Farm. She has excellent horsemanship skills and her love for horses and working with them reflects in the way the horses respond to her.
Every day Imogen arrives for work happy and smiling and the enthusiasm she shows for even the mundane everyday tasks makes it a joy to work with her. We are so proud of how she has grown in confidence as a horsewoman and adult and we are grateful to have her on our team.
Photos / Western Racepix
