The first Scottish winner of a national horse racing award had a race named in her honour at Musselburgh.
Catriona ‘Catch’ Bissett, an assistant trainer at the Nick Alexander stable in Kinneston at Scotlandwell on the Fife/ Kinross-shire border, was crowned Employee of the Year at the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards earlier this month.
In recognition of her achievement the 2.40 at Musselburgh Racecourse on Wednesday was named the Congratulations Catch Bissett Employee of the Year Maiden Hurdle.
Catch said: “I’m so honoured to be recognised by the racing industry in Scotland in this way and have been humbled by the congratulations I have received from all of those involved in racing in Scotland.
“Racing north of the border is a very close-knit and supportive community and Musselburgh Racecourse’s kind gesture of naming a race to recognise the award truly reflects that.
“It’s really testament to everyone at home – this is for them as well.
“I love working with horses but I love working with people that also like working with horses.
“We have quite a young team at Kinneston and seeing them get into racing and then progress and evolve is the best kick of the whole game for me.”
As well as winning the prestigious Godolphin Trophy, handed over by Sir AP McCoy, Catch also collected a Leadership Award and a cheque for £30,000, half of which will be shared among staff at Alexander’s Kinneston stables.
Sarah Montgomery, Musselburgh Racecourse Senior Operations and Commercial Manager, said: “For Catch to be named Employee of the Year when the sport in Britain employs 6,000 people, is a huge achievement.
“Her compassion and concern to all her team is an inspiration, not just to the 278 stable staff in Scotland who all provide first class care to our equine participants, but to all of us who work in, and enjoy, horse racing.”
Nick Alexander added: “We are all very proud of Catch.
“Her compassion and concern for employees’ welfare if they are hurt at work, are ill, or have problems at home is of paramount importance in enforcing the caring culture that we strive towards.”
The 2.40 at Musselburgh was won by the favourite, Irish runner Landsman.
