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Nominations are now being called for Sydney’s ‘Strapper of the Year’ award for the 2024/25 season.

Now in its 16th year, this award endeavours to recognise the behind-the-scenes efforts by those stablehands that tend to go beyond the call of duty.

Ashish Kumar accepts the 2024 Sydney Strapper of the Year Award from ARCC's Rev Colin Watts

The award is sponsored by Racing NSW and co-ordinated by Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy.

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

A selection panel of racing officials will subsequently choose the winner from a short-list of finalists.

The award will be presented at the NSW Racehorse Owners Association’s prestigious ‘Racing's Night of Champions’ on Thursday, 28th August 2025.

Nominations can be SUBMITTED ONLINE CLICK HERE or by downloading the following form - Strapper Of The Year Nomination Form

Nominees can be from any stable in NSW/ACT, but they must have strapped horses at Metropolitan meetings during the 2024/25 season.

For any enquiries contact Colin Watts at contact@arcc.org.au or visit arcc.org.au

Nominations close Wednesday, 25th June 2025.

HONOUR ROLL
2024 - Ashish Kumar (Bjorn Baker stable)
2023 - Phylisha Doyle (Chris Waller)
2022 - Ian Smith (Annabel Neasham)
2021 - Clare Heuston (Chris Waller)
2020 - Graeme Wilson (Kris Lees)
2019 - Alexandra Maher (John O'Shea)
2018 - Lindy Wharekura (Peter & Paul Snowden)
2017 - Riharna Thomson (Keith Dryden & Scott Collings)
2016 - Iftikhar Ali (Chris Waller)
2015 - Vicki Szecsodi (Bjorn Baker)
2014 - George Tucker (Chris Waller)
2013 - Glenn Barnes (Chris Waller)
2012 - Skye Smalley (Guy Walter)
2011 - Michael Doolan (Peter Snowden)
2010 - Melissa Williams (John O'Shea)