A MIDDLEHAM racing yard member of staff, who has dedicated her working life to racing, has been named as a finalist for a national award.

Robynne Watton, at Mark Johnston’s yard in Middleham, North Yorkshire. She is nominated for the dedication to racing award at the 11th annual Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards with a chance of winning £5,000 prize money for herself and a further £5,000 for the stables.

The winner of this award will also go forward to be awarded the Employee of the Year Award. The winner of this award will receive an additional £15,000, with the same amount awarded to their yard.

Robynne, 45, is senior travelling manager and arrived at Mark Johnston Racing in 1991 at the age of 21 and has since spent her life either at the yard or travelling to racecourses throughout Britain, Ireland and around the globe.

The passion, enthusiasm and attention to detail which Robynne displayed directly from the start saw her quickly establish herself as one of the team of travelling managers. Over the years this has continued and through her loyalty and hard work Robynne developed and was promoted to the leading travelling manager within the company overseeing a team of five travelling managers and being responsible for the training of the staff who attend the races.

Robynne, who spent Christmas and New Year in Dubai caring for horse, is often in charge at the races and is the main link between Mark Johnston, the jockeys and owners. During her overseas trips Robynne is solely responsible for the horses and overseeing their training to the highest of standards.

Johnston said of Robynne: “The heights of the big and glamorous meetings are only a very small part of the year for Robynne as she will often return in the early hours of the morning from Bath or Brighton only to leave on the same day to travel to Musselburgh or Ayr.

"People sometimes think that they have a long day but Robynne has no set working hours as such as this has become her way of life which she loves.”

Robynne is one of three finalists for the ‘Dedication to Racing Award’. The final judging takes place on Monday, when they are also invited to a special reception in the Houses of Parliament, and the winners of the awards will be announced at a ceremony hosted by presenter Clare Balding at the Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel in London.