Joe Agresta Honoured at Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards

Media Release - Saturday May 5

One of Australia's best-known and most accomplished trackwork riders, Joe Agresta, has been named the winner of the Thoroughbred Excellence Award at the 2018 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards.

Agresta, who also won the Dedication to Racing category in the awards staged by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Racing Australia, was among seven GSSSA winners announced at a ceremony at Adelaide's Morphettville Racecourse on Friday, 4 May.

GSSA Award winners Each of them received a $10,000 cash prize along with a commemorative trophy with a further $3000 to the winners work colleagues. Each of the runners-up received $1000.

Agresta, who had a brief career as an apprentice jockey, was the main exercise rider for Bart Cummings in Melbourne during a period when the great trainer enjoyed phenomenal success, winning five of his 12 Melbourne Cups, four Cox Plates and three Caulfield Cups.

It was Agresta who was relied on to follow the master's instructions, provide feedback after a gallop and to keep it all between the two of them.

Agresta moved on from Cummings in 2014 and was immediately snapped up by Leon Corstens, a former Cummings foreman, and his son Troy.

The 66-year-old has also been a tireless advocate for stable staff and track riders, striving for better conditions for the same industry participants that the GSSSA recognises globally.

Along with the prize for winning his category, Agresta received a further $5,000 for the Excellence award.

"Winning this award means everything to me. This award is for everybody who works in the industry across Australia," Agresta said.

"My life is this industry, I love people and the horses. I really can't believe it, I'm shocked."

"I just love what I do, I love helping the kids and the apprentice jockeys. I try to encourage them and help them along the way. I think I owe something back to the industry and anything I can do is terrific."

"Honestly I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for someone who has been with me since I was a teenager… my wife. Since I started working with horses, it's been 45 years and she has been with me every step of the way."

"I can't thank Godolphin and the organisers enough for what they are doing for the real unsung heroes of racing and breeding. This is a dream come true," Agresta said.

Agresta recalls his time with the Cummings stable fondly and with deep admiration for the man who all of Australia, and much of the world, knows as "The Cups King".

During all the years he worked with Cummings, and until today, Agresta also had another full-time job with the Moonee Valley City Council performing maintenance work on homes for the sick and needy.

Johan Petzer, Chair of the 2018 judging panel said of Joe Agresta, "Joe's long-standing involvement and loyal commitment of over 50 years in the industry is a testament to his resolve, dedication and character, which included a 34-year involvement as a track work rider for the legendary Bart Cummings."

"Joe, an industry legend himself, and a team player, is held in high regard in the industry and is a valued ambassador. Joe's diligence and passion for the industry, and his involvement with some of the greats of the Australian turf are just some of the qualities which makes him a very deserving winner of the 2018 GSSSA Thoroughbred Excellence Award," Petzer said.

Other winners, each of whom received a cash prize of $10,000 and a commemorative trophy, announced at the ceremony attended by some 120 guests were:

Advertisement

Thoroughbred Excellence Award:

Winner: Joe Agresta, Leon and Troy Corstens/Malua Racing (VIC)

Leadership Award:

Winner: Peter Keating, Newgate Farm (NSW)

Runner up: Jade Rossington, Willow Park Stud (NSW)

Horsemanship Award:

Winner: Scott Eeles, Godolphin (NSW)

Runner up: Warren Sutton, McEvoy Mitchell Racing (SA)

Dedication to Breeding Award:

Winner: Patrick Sheehan, Coolmore (NSW)

Runner up: Angus McAlpine, Eureka Cambooya Stud (QLD)

Administration and Ancillary Services Award:

Winner: Hannah Dick, Widden Stud (NSW)

Runner up: Michelle Nichols, Arrowfield Stud (NSW)

Thoroughbred Care and Welfare Award:

Winner: Lee Purchase, Darren Weir Racing (VIC)

Runner up: Liz Andriske, Saleyard Thoroughbreds (VIC)

Newcomer Award:

Winner: Meg Stanley, Kathryn Durden Racing (VIC)

Runner up: Jarom Rhind, Armidale Stud (TAS)

Dedication to Racing Award:

Winner: Joe Agresta, Leon and Troy Corstens/Malua Racing (VIC)

Runner up: Steve Adams, Anthony Freedman Racing(VIC)

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sweet Redemption for Stable Favourite Jimmy the Bear
Patrick and Michelle Payne enjoyed a red letter day at Flemington on Saturday with their rising star Buccleuch winning the Listed VRC Taj Rossi Series Final and then later in the day stable favourite Jimmy the Bear won the Listed VRC Winter Championship Series Final (1600m).
Buccleuch - First Stakes-Winner for Peltzer
The $175,000 Listed VRC Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday was won back in 2020 by Cherry Tortoni, who went to on to become a multiple Group winner of nearly $1million and the same colours were carried by this year’s winner Buccleuch.
Flemington Victory for Tarzino Mare
Quirky but talented mare Miss Tarzy has come from last win the Leilani Series Final (1400m) under a patient Jett Stanley ride.
Pride’s Outsider Estadio Mestalla Wins Winter Stakes
The lone stakes race on Rosehill’s ten-race card on Saturday saw Joe Pride’s race outsider Estadio Mestalla (Galileo Gold) take out the $200,000 Listed ATC Winter Stakes (1400m) in a boilover.
Invincible 3YO Wins G3 Winx Guineas
The $300,000 Group III Winx Guineas (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday featured a big field of 16 up and comers and following the late scratching of favourite Mister Bianco, Angela Jones took luck out of the equation on I Am Invincible gelding The Three Hundred.
Marble Nine Brings Up Second SW For Aquis Sire Kobayashi
The withdrawal of the top weight in Saturday’s $175,000 Listed VRC Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington saw the field down to just six, with Marble Nine continuing his outstanding recent form to secure his first black type victory.
Kiwi Bred Good Banter Finds Winning Form
Four-year-old mare Good Banter was back in the winner’s circle when narrowly prevailing in the Catanach's Jewellers Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday for trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.
Snitzel Filly Bridal Waltz Wins A.R. Creswick Stakes
While many felt the winner of Saturday’s Listed $175,000 VRC A.R. Creswick Stakes (1200m) had raced two weeks prior in the Shop Flemington Handicap (1100m) – and they would’ve been correct – but it was not the result many punters felt it would be!
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 5
Here is the full list of 112 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2026 Golden Slipper Entries – Sortable, Sale Mail – Find Out More
The new season is nearly upon us and that means all over the country a new crop of rising two year-olds are taking baby steps in the best stables in the land with the Australian Turf Club announcing this week they had received 1927 entries for the 2026 Golden Slipper, so who is in the race?