Caretaker Eileen Brown, who works for the Dan Ater Stable, was chosen as the winner of the second annual National Caretaker Appreciation Award sponsored by Harness Racing Replays 2.0 and Amy Butewicz & Stacy Butewicz, Equestrian Realtors of Butewicz Equestrian Lifestyle Real Estate – Keller Williams Realty.

Caretaker Eileen Brown, who works for the Dan Ater Stable, was chosen as the winner of the second annual National Caretaker Appreciation Award. Photo courtesy of Eileen Brown.

Brown, is the caretaker of multiple Standardbreds for her employer including the stable star Lucky Lime p,4,1:50.4f ($617,303), while also paddocking horses for multiple other trainers, raising her family of three children, Cori, Caleb and Chloe, and countless other duties in harness racing.

When asked about Eileen’s contribution to Team Ater, trainer Dan Ater replied, “Eileen started to work for me four years ago and I believe that she had never put a harness on a horse before; although she had been around horses, this was all new to her. Within a week, she could do anything you would ask an experienced groom to do and it was done the right way and has been done that way since. Eileen has an unbelievable passion for the horses in her care and both the horses and I appreciate it very much. She is a lady that would help me anytime I ask and I believe she knows that I would help her anyway that I could. She has three nice children that come to the barn with her and help her out at times and that also tells me what kind of mother she is. She loves her children and her horses. In my opinion, I could not ask for a better groom to help me.”

Brian Brown Stable’s own Toni Dale Hollar was chosen as the award’s runner-up. Toni has been the caretaker for such racing greats like Downbytheseaside p,3,1:48.3f ($2,179,558), millionaire Color’s A Virgin and $937,000 winner Lost For Words. She currently takes care of Seeyou At Thebeach, a promising 2-year-old son of Somebeachsomewhere, who recently won in the Pennsylvania Sires Stakes on Aug. 29 at Harrah’s Philadelphia.

Brian Brown added, “She’s a great groom. Always goes above and beyond. She will ship anywhere and do anything. My stable couldn’t run without her.”

As the winner, Eileen Brown is receiving a framed certificate of recognition, a $100 Visa Gift Card, a $50 Big Dee’s Gift Card and a one-year subscription to Hoof Beats Magazine. As runner-up, Hollar will receive a $20 Big Dee’s Gift Card and a one-year subscription to Hoof Beats Magazine.

In addition, the six other nominees for the award are each receiving a $10 Big Dee’s Gift Card.

Award sponsor Amy Butewicz explained, “The nominations that were submitted were all so overwhelming and inspiring that we felt that they all deserved some form of recognition for their hard work. The gift cards were the least we could do. Caretakers are the backbone to the industry and horses’/trainers’ success.”