Awards

Sydney Strapper of the Year

2024 Winner

Ashish Kumar named as Sydney Strapper of the Year 2023-2024

When Ashish joined the Bjorn Baker stable in 2017, he was a young man from India with little experience working with horses. Over the past seven years, Ashish has shown exceptional growth thanks to his hard work and strong horsemanship skills.

Describing him as a natural with both the staff and the horses doesn’t do him justice – he is also completely reliable, and I have unwavering trust in him. His qualities have made him an indispensable part of my stable, and I know I couldn’t run things the same way without him.

It was a great moment for our entire team to see Ozzmosis win the Coolmore Stud Stakes, but nobody was prouder than Ashish, who strapped him for every start and picked him out before his first trial.

Ashish doesn’t only handle the ‘Glory Horses’; he often ends up with some of the more highly strung ones due to his lovely, calm, and gentle demeanour; both the horses and the staff respond positively.

Ashish is a fantastic example to everyone in my stable of how there are no barriers to where people can end up. Ashish’s story would inspire many people, not just inside my stable. He is a great example of how it doesn’t matter where you start or who you know in this industry; it’s the work you put in.

(The Sydney Strapper of the Year Award is sponsored by Racing NSW and coordinated by Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy.  It is presented at the NSW Racehorse Owners Association “Night of Champions”. The winner is selected by Racing NSW judges from a group of very worthy finalists.)