And most of them have one thing in common – the people who work in them fill vital roles and are largely unseen.
Among them are Lyn Dressing who has been with the international bloodstock
transport business IRT for 42 years and Melanie Caban who is in her 30thseason as administration manager for Vinery Stud general manager Peter Orton.Both women have been nominated in the Administration category of the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards for their ability, devotion and perseverance.
And both say they have done what they do because they love the business, the people and the sense of achievement that comes with their work.
For Lyn, her nomination is acknowledgment of four decades of commitment.
"I'm truly humbled, because there are so many worthy people in the horse industry," she said.
"It came as a complete surprise, but it is a wonderful piece of recognition and I thank Godolphin for their sponsorship and Racing Australia and TBA for putting it on."
Lyn has seen many changes in the racehorse transport business, from the days when most horses crossed the world by sea, till today when travel is by air an in relative comfort."
"But the one thing that hasn't changed is the people. Almost everyone in this business is fabulous to work with," she said.
Melanie first joined Peter Orton at the original Arrowfield Stud at Jerry's
Plains in the Hunter Valley in the mid-1980s and has moved with him until today
where she has the same role at Vinery.Orton described Melanie as a vital figure in the building of an industry: "it is people such as Melanie that often go unnoticed, who take such personal pride in their roles in the advancement of a great industry."
Melanie welcomed the Stud and Stable Staff Awards: "The awards are something this industry needs and appreciates."
"To know that people out there think you are doing a good job is always nice, it's really an incredible initiative by Godolphin.
"In my working life I've been involved with three beautiful farms being built virtually from nothing, so it's great just to be recognised as someone who has contributed."
News from GSSA Awards
