HE’S only been in the job for a year but Ben Howe is receiving national attention for his work as a stable lad.

The 17-year-old, who is at Ruth Carr’s Stillington yard, has made the finals of the Stud and Stable Staff Awards, which are supported by the British Horseracing Authority and Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin stables.

Howe, from Rawcliffe in York, has been nominated for the David Nicholson Newcomer Award, aimed at staff that have been in the industry for less than three years and have displayed a desire to improve, progress their skills and knowledge while becoming an integral part of the team.

He is one of 15 nominees, across six categories, who will attend a judging day held at the BHA’s London offices, when the winners are agreed, before the finalists attend an awards ceremony at the capital’s Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel, on February 28.

Each of the finalists is guaranteed at least £2,000 in prize money, plus an additional £2,000 for their yard or stud, in recognition of their achievement.

Howe came to Carr’s Mowbray House yard on work experience and the trainer quickly recognised his ability. Enrolled on a foundation course at the Northern Racing College in Doncaster, Carr rushed him through in four weeks in a bid to get him back quickly.

“I said he was far too good to be wasting 12 weeks learning how to muck out when he already knew and that I wanted him back as soon as possible,” she said. “He was there for four weeks and that was four weeks too long.

“I nominated Ben for the award because he has very quickly become an important part of our team – right from the word go. Ben is usually the first here and he has usually got a couple of boxes mucked out before anyone else in the yard.

“No job is ever too bad for him. He never rolls his eyes when I say he has to go and clean out the drains. He is just a good lad to have around.”

Howe’s duties with Carr don’t just include mucking out and sweeping stables. The teenager also rides lots, grooms horses and takes them racing.

“I would start at 7.30am, skip them all out and get all the stables clean,” he said of an average day.

“Then we get them tacked up and ride out the first lot. We keep riding out until they are all done. Then, if Ruth is still lunging, we will go and help her.

“Later, we swap the horses in the pens and muck them all out. We carry on haying and do all sorts of other jobs.

“I have been riding about three years and Ruth has taught me how to ride racers. I used to ride show-jumpers and it is a totally different way of riding.

“I am going for my amateur licence in March.

“I wouldn’t change it for the world. I take them racing and I have got my own horses to look after. I love them.

“Dubai Dynamo is my favourite. I went to Royal Ascot with him.

“It is really interesting. I was going to go to a big yard but I might not have got much of a look in, so it is probably better to start at a small yard.”

Of his nomination, Howe added: “I didn’t even know they (awards) existed.

“I am just honoured. I am just pleased to get this far.

“Anything else is a bonus. I am chuffed to have been in the job a year and getting this far and getting to work with really good staff, riding nice horses and going to good places.

“The best thing is going racing all the time. I like all the horses – even the bad tempered ones.

“I hope to ride and progress as an amateur.

“I like to just come in and learn and do new things. I have got a long way to go yet.”