Louisa Allen Triumphs at Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards

Councillor Steven McCormick, Chair of both the Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators and the Epsom and Walton Downs Consultative Committee, works closely with the Jockey Club and partners to ensure that Epsom & Walton Downs can be safely used and enjoyed by residents, visitors and riders.

Councillor McCormick is an avid supporter of the racing industry and a familiar face on the gallops as a keen equestrian photographer. He recently attended the 2026 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards at which Louisa Allen, Head Person to Jim Boyle at the South Hatch Stables, was presented with the Leadership Award.

Louisa, in addition to being Head Person to Jim Boyle and a Racing Staff Development Programme ambassador, is also the Epsom area representative for the National Association of Racing Staff.

Reflecting on the victory, Cllr McCormick expressed his immense pride in seeing Epsom represented on the national stage:

"I am absolutely overjoyed for Louisa and the entire team at Jim Boyle Racing," said Cllr McCormick. "Seeing her hard work and dedication recognised at this level is wonderful. It’s a win for her, for the yard, and for the entire Epsom racing community."

Councillor McCormick also kindly shared the update below:

Held at Ascot Racecourse and sponsored by Godolphin, the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards are the "Oscars" of the racing world, recognising the unsung heroes who form the backbone of the British horseracing industry.

This year, Louisa was crowned the winner of the Leadership Award, emerging victorious from an incredibly competitive field, to take home the trophy and a significant share of the prize fund.

A Leader at the Heart of the Yard

Known affectionately as the "mum of the yard" by her colleagues, Louisa has been a fixture at Jim Boyle Racing for two decades. Her win in the Leadership category is a testament to more than just her 30 years of horsemanship; it recognises her role as a mentor and a tireless advocate for staff wellbeing.

"Louisa is the heart of Jim Boyle Racing," noted the judging panel. "Her warmth, integrity, and commitment to inclusivity ensure that her team is not just motivated, but truly supported."

For Jim Boyle’s yard, the win is a massive boost. In an industry where recruitment and retention are constant challenges, having a nationally recognised leader at the helm validates the culture of excellence and care fostered at South Hatch.

A Much-Needed Spotlight for Epsom

Beyond the personal triumph, this award serves as a vital signal for the Epsom training grounds. While the town is globally famous for the Derby, the local training industry has often fought for the same level of recognition as hubs like Newmarket. Louisa’s victory brings a much-needed focus back to the Surrey Downs, proving that:

• Elite Talent: Epsom continues to house and develop the finest professional talent in the country.
• Training Excellence: Local yards are successfully competing against the powerhouse stables of the North and West.
• Preservation: The win highlights the importance of protecting the unique infrastructure of the Downs that I and the Conservators work so hard to maintain.

As Louisa returns to South Hatch to continue her work, she does so as a national champion for leadership, carrying the spirit of Epsom racing with her.

The Downs are private land owned by Epsom Downs Racecourse and managed by the Epsom and Walton Downs Conservators through an Act of Parliament. The Conservators’ principal obligations are to enable the training of the c150 racehorses and associated staff that currently use the gallops up until noon every day, to preserve the Downs in their natural state of beauty, to maintain the public’s right of access and to ensure that the various users respect each other’s rights and the Downs environment.

Epsom and Walton Downs | Epsom and Ewell Borough Council