FORMER Borders College student Casey Finlay being named as one of the ten finalists shortlisted for the David Nicholson Newcomer Award in the 2022 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards.

Nominations were received from across the UK racing and breeding industries and the 22-year-old from Newtown St Boswells was delighted to see her name included as one of the ten members of the racing industry workforce in contention for the award.

Casey, who works for Katie Scott Racing, based in Lindean, Selkirk, was one of the first cohort of full-time students to study on the Scottish Racing Academy programme at Borders College last year.

She said: “I feel honoured to have made the top ten for such a prestigious award. Studying on the SRA programme at College provided me with a huge amount of confidence and gave me the skills to start my career with Katie Scott Racing. I would like to give a special thanks to Katie for nominating me.”

The SRA programme represents a collaboration between Borders College, Scottish Racing and industry partners from across Scotland who have committed to either taking students on work placement or to skill and upskill their current employees to create a sustainable workforce for the future.

The Godolphin Awards are the most prestigious awards for employees within racing and the judging panel, comprising 12 people from across the industry, will work through each category to shortlist three finalists, which will be announced in the coming weeks. The winners will be announced at a prestigious award ceremony in London in February.

Borders College Assistant Principal Lynne Gilchrist said: “Now in their 18th year, the Godolphin Awards recognise and reward, the skills, commitment and contribution of over 10,000 stud and stable staff across the UK. It is superb to see Scottish stable staff being shortlisted this year.

“Along with Katie Scott Racing, employees from Nick Alexander and Lucinda Russell Yards have employees shortlisted for Godolphin Awards. We wish Casey and the other Scottish finalist the best of luck.”