PETER MAUGHAN, travelling head groom for David Elsworth's yard in Newmarket, was named as Employee of the Year at the fifth annual Stud and Stable Staff Awards in London on Monday.

Mick Fitzgerald, the Grand National and Gold Cup-winning jockey, presented Maughan with a cheque for £25,000 - £12,500 for Peter himself and £12,500 for his colleagues at Egerton House stables to share themselves.

The awards - the richest of their kind in the world, with £75,000 in prize-money - are sponsored by Godolphin, and run by the BHA in association with the Racing Post.

Maughan, who has worked in racing for 56 years, was also the winner in the senior staff category. His career spans the great horses trained by Elsworth inclusing Desert Orchid, Persian Punch, In The Groove and Barnbrook Again.

Lee Oswin, a trainee stable groom with Gary Moore, won the David Nicholson newcomer award, Paul Baker, stud groom/manager at Usk Valley Stud, won the stud staff award, Claire Knight, who works for Jeremy Noseda, won the rider/groom award and Andy Gibson, yardman with Stuart Williams, won the special merit award.

Each individual category winner collected £3,000, with their colleagues at their respective stable or stud sharing £3,000 between them.

BHA chief executive Nic Coward said: "These inspiring awards are an important date in the racing calendar as they provide a moment for the sport to celebrate those hard-working, dedicated, talented people, without whom the show wouldn't get on the road."

CLICK HERE to meet all the winners

Picture - Mick Fitzgerald (right) presents Peter Maughan with a cheque for £25,000

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Published: 18 Feb 2009