One of
Australia's best-known and most accomplished trackwork riders, Joe Agresta, has
been named the winner of the Thoroughbred Excellence Award at the 2018
Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards.
Agresta,
who also won the Dedication to Racing category in the awards staged by
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Racing Australia, was among seven GSSSA
winners announced at a ceremony at Adelaide's Morphettville Racecourse on
Friday, 4 May.
Each of
them received a $10,000 cash prize along with a commemorative trophy with a
further $3000 to the winners work colleagues. Each of the runners-up received
$1000.
Agresta,
who had a brief career as an apprentice jockey, was the main exercise rider for
Bart Cummings in Melbourne during a period when the great trainer enjoyed
phenomenal success, winning five of his 12 Melbourne Cups, four Cox Plates and
three Caulfield Cups.
It was
Agresta who was relied on to follow the master's instructions, provide feedback
after a gallop and to keep it all between the two of them.
Agresta
moved on from Cummings in 2014 and was immediately snapped up by Leon Corstens,
a former Cummings foreman, and his son Troy.
The
66-year-old has also been a tireless advocate for stable staff and track
riders, striving for better conditions for the same industry participants that
the GSSSA recognises globally.
Along
with the prize for winning his category, Agresta received a further $5,000 for
the Excellence award.
"Winning
this award means everything to me. This award is for everybody who works in the
industry across Australia," Agresta said.
"My life
is this industry, I love people and the horses. I really can't believe it, I'm
shocked."
"I just
love what I do, I love helping the kids and the apprentice jockeys. I try to
encourage them and help them along the way. I think I owe something back to the
industry and anything I can do is terrific."
"Honestly
I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for someone who has been with me since I was a
teenager… my wife. Since I started working with horses, it's been 45 years and
she has been with me every step of the way."
"I can't
thank Godolphin and the organisers enough for what they are doing for the real
unsung heroes of racing and breeding. This is a dream come true," Agresta said.
Agresta
recalls his time with the Cummings stable fondly and with deep admiration for
the man who all of Australia, and much of the world, knows as "The Cups King".
During
all the years he worked with Cummings, and until today, Agresta also had
another full-time job with the Moonee Valley City Council performing
maintenance work on homes for the sick and needy.
Johan
Petzer, Chair of the 2018 judging panel said of Joe Agresta, "Joe's
long-standing involvement and loyal commitment of over 50 years in the industry
is a testament to his resolve, dedication and character, which included a
34-year involvement as a track work rider for the legendary Bart Cummings."
"Joe,
an industry legend himself, and a team player, is held in high regard in the
industry and is a valued ambassador. Joe's diligence and passion for the
industry, and his involvement with some of the greats of the Australian turf
are just some of the qualities which makes him a very deserving winner of the
2018 GSSSA Thoroughbred Excellence Award," Petzer said.
Other
winners, each of whom received a cash prize of $10,000 and a commemorative
trophy, announced at the ceremony attended by some 120 guests were:
Thoroughbred Excellence Award:
Winner:
Joe Agresta, Leon and Troy Corstens/Malua Racing (VIC)
Leadership
Award:
Winner:
Peter Keating, Newgate Farm (NSW)
Runner
up: Jade Rossington, Willow Park Stud (NSW)
Horsemanship
Award:
Winner:
Scott Eeles, Godolphin (NSW)
Runner
up: Warren Sutton, McEvoy Mitchell Racing (SA)
Dedication to Breeding Award:
Winner:
Patrick Sheehan, Coolmore (NSW)
Runner
up: Angus McAlpine, Eureka Cambooya Stud (QLD)
Administration
and Ancillary Services Award:
Winner:
Hannah Dick, Widden Stud (NSW)
Runner
up: Michelle Nichols, Arrowfield Stud (NSW)
Thoroughbred Care and Welfare Award:
Winner:
Lee Purchase, Darren Weir Racing (VIC)
Runner
up: Liz Andriske, Saleyard Thoroughbreds (VIC)
Newcomer Award:
Winner:
Meg Stanley, Kathryn Durden Racing (VIC)
Runner
up: Jarom Rhind, Armidale Stud (TAS)
Dedication to Racing Award:
Winner:
Joe Agresta, Leon and Troy Corstens/Malua Racing (VIC)