Carmody and Kirkwood Take Top Honours

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Few moments capture the pride of the racecourse management profession quite like seeing peers recognised on the national stage. At the 2025 Evergreen Turf ARMA Conference Awards Dinner at Flemington, two names drew thunderous applause: Greg Carmody and Terry Kirkwood. Both men embody the resilience, dedication, and quiet professionalism that underpin racing’s success, and their crowning as Metropolitan and Regional Racecourse Managers of the Year was as much a celebration of their careers as it was a recognition of their outstanding contribution to the industry.

For Carmody, the honour was the culmination of years of consistency and dedication. Serving as Racecourse Manager at Canterbury, he has earned a reputation for long-term reliability in delivering racing surfaces of the highest standard. His stewardship has also extended to the vital quarantine training facilities, where his steady hand and attention to detail have been instrumental in ensuring the safe preparation of international competitors. Carmody’s ability to maintain excellence season after season, while meeting the needs of trainers, jockeys, and administrators, has made him a trusted and respected figure in New South Wales racing.

On the regional front, Kirkwood’s award highlighted the enormous impact of one individual’s passion and commitment. As both Track Manager and former Club President at Lockyer Valley Turf Club, he has been the driving force behind the club for over a decade. Managing both the course proper and training track — irrigated manually and maintained with limited resources — Kirkwood has consistently delivered safe and well-presented racing and training surfaces. Beyond surface management, he has overseen significant improvements in facilities, raised standards across the board, and helped make the club financially sustainable. Jockeys, trainers, and patrons alike regularly commend the condition of the track, testament to the pride and energy Kirkwood brings to the role.

The recognition of both men reflects ARMA’s ongoing mission to honour those who consistently raise the standard of racecourse management, whether on metropolitan stages or in regional communities. Their contributions go beyond the preparation of tracks, they embody leadership, resilience, and a passion for the industry that strengthens racing at every level.

As ARMA Chairman Lindsay Murphy noted on the night, the Awards are about celebrating those who make a lasting impact: “Greg and Terry exemplify the qualities we value most in our profession — consistency, effort, innovation, and commitment to the racing community. Their recognition is richly deserved, and we congratulate them both on this achievement.”

The 2025 Awards Dinner was a night of celebration, but the honour for Carmody and Kirkwood stands as a lasting reminder of the vital role Racecourse Managers play in the success and sustainability of thoroughbred racing.