Punchestown's Martin (Snowy) Pearse wins top Racing Award

Martin Pearse, Facilities Manager, Punchestown Racecourse, has won the Racing and Breeding Support Services Award at the Annual Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards announced last night, (Monday May 21) at a banquet  held at the Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, County Meath.

It is a fitting reward for the popular Naas native who has been working for over 40 years at the Co. Kildare track. Martin received a specially commissioned trophy and €5,000.

Commenting on his win, Martin said: “A brilliant night, I was delighted to get nominated by Shona Dreaper for this award, I couldn’t ask for anymore, it’s unreal.  I am caretaker, security and everything else at Punchestown. I am the first man in in the mornings and last man out in the evenings, I get everything up and ready. Once all the horses get home safe that’s good for me. 

"The team at Punchestown are brilliant, there is no one person that says ‘that’s not my job’, we’re all there to help one another.  To get a prize like this from Godolphin and to be recognised for all the work over the last 40 years, its just brilliant" added a delighted Martin. 

The full list of winners were: 

Irish Racing Excellence Award: Pat Farrell, Stud Groom, Moyglare Stud, County Kildare

Administration Award: Gillian Carey, Operations Manager, Fairyhouse Racecourse, County Meath

Newcomer Award: Georgie Benson, Stable Lass, Gordon Elliott, County Meath

Horse Care Award: Mary Nugent, Travelling Assistant, Gordon Elliott, County Meath

In The Saddle Award: James Rath, Head Lad, Liz Doyle, County Wexford

Travelling Head Person Award: Camilla Sharples, Travelling Head Girl, Gordon Elliott, County Meath

Leads by Example Award: Stephen Thorne, Assistant Trainer, Adrian McGuinness, County Dublin

Dedication to Racing and Breeding Award: Pat Farrell, Stud Groom, Moyglare Stud, County Kildare

Racing and Breeding Support Services Award: Martin ‘Snowy’ Pearse, Facilities Manager, Punchestown Racecourse, County Kildare

Racecourse Award: Fairyhouse Racecourse, Ratoath, County Meath