Congratulations to ARCC's 2015 Epsom Super Saturday Strapper Awards winners!!

ARCC presented awards to the strapper of the "Best Paraded Horse" for each race at Royal Randwick's Epsom Super Saturday meeting on October 3rd 2015

Judging took place in the "Theatre of the Horse" as the horses were paraded before each race and took into account the presentation of horse and handler, as well as the horse handling skills of the strapper.  Each winner received a $50 cash prize.

A big thank you to our judge Colin Watts Snr who once again officated.

(Pictured here is Amber Lucas, strapper of Pressing in Race 7 - Epsom Handicap)

The full list of winners is as follows:

(Photos courtesy of Steve White)

ARCC helps facilitate the Sydney Autumn Carnival Strapper Awards, which are are presented by the Australian Turf Club.

This year the ATC introduced an innovative approach to recognising the contribution of strappers/stablehands to the preparationn of successful horses.

For the first time, every strapper of a Group 1 winning horse over the carnival will receive a stylish jacket embroidered with their name and the horse & race details.

Congratulations to all the winners!

(Pictured below is Steve O'Halloran receiving his trophy as strapper of Vancouver, winner of this year's Golden Slipper)

(Photos courtesy of Steve White)

The Sydney Racing Fraternity Mass was held on Sunday 15 March 2015 at Royal Randwick Racecourse.  Conducted by Father Adrian Meaney and organised by Br Dan Stafford, the racing mass was attended by a congregation consisting of people from all parts of the racing community.

(Photos courtesy of Steve White)

Congratulations to ARCC's 2014 Epsom Super Saturday Strapper Awards winners!!

ARCC presented awards to the strapper of the "Best Paraded Horse" for each race at Royal Randwick's Epsom Super Saturday meeting on October 4th 2014

Judging took place in the "Theatre of the Horse" as the horses were paraded before each race and took into account the presentation of horse and handler, as well as the horse handling skills of the strapper.  Each winner received a $50 cash prize.

A big thank you to our judge Colin Watts Snr who once again officated.

(Pictured here is Abbie Murphy, strapper of Rosie Quadrille in Race 1 - Gimcrack Stakes)

Thanks also to the various ATC staff who assisted with the practical arrangements.

The full list of winners is as follows:

(Photos courtesy of Steve White)

Congratulations to George Tucker
Sydney Strapper of the Year  2013-2014

George is highly regarded amongst his peers for his laid-back and casual demeanour, his soft and gentle care of horses and his dry sense of humour. He is ever-reliable, always positive and nothing is ever too much hassle or work.  One of George's specialties and most valuable asset is his uncanny ability to settle hard-to-handle horses.  He is always given the more difficult individuals until they become easier to handle and then are quite often replaced with new "projects".  The stable just wouldn't be the same without his slow and steady approach.

(The Sydney Strapper of the Year Award is sponsored by Racing NSW and coordinated by Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy)

The final nominations for the 2013-14 Sydney Strapper of the Year award have been announced. Now in its fifth year, this award endeavours to recognise the behind-the-scenes efforts by those strappers that tend to go beyond the call of duty.

The award, sponsored by Racing NSW and co-ordinated by Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy, will be presented at the inaugural Racing NSW Awards at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, 2 August 2014.

The award is peer-nominated with strappers at metropolitan race meetings being invited to nominate who they think is deserving of the award.

A selection panel of racing officials choose the winner from a short-list of six finalists and they are:-

George Tucker  (Chris Waller stable)

George is highly regarded amongst his peers for his laid-back and casual demeanour, his soft and gentle care of horses and his dry sense of humour. He is ever-reliable, always positive and nothing is ever too much hassle or work.  One of George's specialties and most valuable asset is his uncanny ability to settle hard-to-handle horses.  He is always given the more difficult individuals until they become easier to handle and then are quite often replaced with new "projects".  The stable just wouldn't be the same without his slow and steady approach.

Chetan Kumar  (David Payne stable)

Chetan Kumar is an outstanding character with exceptional horse handling skills.  The presentation of his horses is always top class and he makes every effort to see that his horses are calm and relaxed.  His dedication and excellent work ethic are not just a great example to his fellow workers, but lead to him making a deep and impressive impact on all he encounters. 

Melinda Norton  (Gai Waterhouse stable)

Melinda Norton is a highly talented and qualified horsewoman. Her dedication to the horses in her care transpires into raceday results. Mel also has a great ability to pass on her knowledge to the younger staff starting out.  She is a dedicated and loyal employee and a tremendous asset to the running of the Waterhouse stables.

Daljit Singh  (David Vandyke stable)

Daljit has the rare ability to connect with a horse and help it to find confidence in it’s handler and relax. His first consideration is for the horse and he has been given some of the most difficult horses to look after on race day. Whether a horse requires constant walking, a change of stall, hosing, rugging, personal attention (talking to and patting) – he identifies the needs and takes action. He leaves his own personal needs behind as he becomes consumed with his task and the needs of the horses. A classic example of this was his work with "Breakfast In Bed" who was a difficult, nervous horse who would sweat, bite and kick at the races. Daljit showed unconditional love to her and gave her a safe person to find comfort. He changed her personality at the races which was a great joy to witness. Daljit always looks smart. He is polite, a good communicator and owners enjoy interacting with him as he cares for their horse.  

Erica McMahon (Grahame Begg stable)

Erica is a very reliable and important part of the Begg stables.  She knows her horses inside out and her attention to detail and love for her horses are remarkable. Erica has always gone above and beyond her duties, and is extremely loyal and supportive towards her fellow stablehands. Now with a young toddler to care for, Erica displays tremendous dedication in juggling the demands of motherhood with the early start and awkward hours required in being a stablehand.

Sharyn Newby  (Gary Portelli stable)

Sharyn has a most pleasant personality and is able to handle any horse from stallions to the babies.  She is always well presented and is a leader in every way, looked up to by her fellow staff and modelling a high standard to aspire to.  Sharyn has that rare ability to blend caring and professionalism, not just in her work, but in life in general.

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Congratulations to all the finalists!

HONOUR ROLL

One of the goals of ARCC is to see chaplaincy spread across racetracks around NSW and indeed Australia.  An important part of this is to build relationships with race clubs, trainers, jockeys etc from across the state and includes travel far and wide.

This year included trips to Ascot and Gloucester Park racecourses in Perth, Eagle Farm and Doomben racecourses in Brisbane as well as attendances at the Gilgandra Cup and Grafton Cup meetings in NSW.  

(Pictured above is Colin Watts with Anne Hall & Andrew Schier from Gilgandra Jockey Club - photo courtesy of racingphotography.com.au)

This year's National Jockeys Celebration Day was held on Saturday 3rd August 2013.

For the first time, remembrance ceremonies were conducted at EVERY race club in Australia with a meeting on this day.

The National Jockeys Celebration Day is an initiative of the Australian Jockeys Association to establish a day on the national racing calendar to:

• Recognise the contribution that both former and current jockeys have made to the thoroughbred racing industry; and
• Commemorate those jockeys who have lost their lives in riding accidents

Over 500 jockeys have lost their lives in race falls in Australia and many more have suffered serious injury.  As we begin a new season, it is appropriate that we pray for safety and remember the fallen.

As well as organising ceremonies across Australia ARCC chaplains participated in a prayer for jockeys as part of ceremonies at Rosehill (pictured above), Kembla Grange, Coonabarabran and Canberra.

The full list of participating clubs is:

•        Doomben
•        Bowen
•        Corfield
•        Gold Coast                 (Saturday 27th July)
•        Goondiwindi
•        Mareeba
•        Middlemount
•        Nanango
•        Sunshine Coast
•        Tambo
•        Moonee Valley
•        Rosehill
•        Kembla Grange
•        Coonabarabran
•        Morphettville
•        Roxby Downs
•        Belmont
•        Broome
•        Launceston      (Sunday 4th August) 
•        Darwin
•        Canberra         (Friday 2nd August)

A big thank you to all the particpating clubs for their enthusiastic support.

The Queen's Birthday 2013 Honours List

 MEDAL (OAM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION

Brother Paul Daniel STAFFORD,

For service to the community of Sydney as a chaplain.

Current Catholic Chaplain, Australian Turf Club.

Board Member, Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy, since 2003.

Honorary Catholic Chaplain to the NSW racing industry.

Fundraising Ambassador, St Vincent de Paul Society.

Fundraiser, St Vincent de Paul Society State Office; events such as the Matthew Talbot Race Day, the Stockbrokers Awards, and Hotel Have Hearts.

Volunteer Coordinator, Matthew Talbot Homeless Services, 1995-2005; Member, Management Committee.

Member, Pastoral Care Team, Mercy Hospital for Women, Melbourne, 1988-1993.

Member, Redemptorist Order, for 44 years.

http://www.gg.gov.au/sites/default/files/files/honours/qb/qb2013/Media Notes - OAM (S-Z) (final).pdf