ON August 14th we started the Godolphin Flying Start programme. We are a diverse group of 12 students hailing from Ireland, England, New Zealand, Australia, and America, brought together on this two-year course. Here’s a glimpse into our experience so far, beginning at Kildangan Stud.

From classrooms to yards

We began with lectures in equine anatomy and physiology modules from the esteemed UCD Veterinary School. We have spent time on-site in the veterinary school in UCD as well as practical lectures with the vet here at Kildangan Stud, Don Collins MRCVS. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to gain valuable veterinary knowledge which will be hugely beneficial for us going forward.

Multimedia training

The modern racing industry is as much about technology and branding as it is about horsemanship. Our curriculum includes Microsoft training to ensure that we are well-equipped to navigate the digital landscape that underpins the sport.

Social media and online branding training have also been crucial components, recognising that effective communication and engagement are essential for the industry’s continued growth.

Talks from industry leaders

One of the standout features of our program has been the unique access we have to industry leaders. Cathy Grassick, the chairperson of the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (ITBA), shared her wealth of knowledge and insights with us.

Handicapper Mark Bird provided a fascinating look behind the scenes of racing’s inner workings. Our education also included pedigree and conformation workshops led by Godolphin directors Jimmy Hyland and Joe Osborne, who helped us understand the breeding and evaluation of young horses.

Horsemanship: From RACE to

yearling breaking

At the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE), we learned the fundamentals of breaking horses, ensuring that all of us are on the same basic level of horsemanship. This foundational knowledge was then put to the test when we joined the team in the yearling breaking yards at Kildangan Stud.

Working with the blue-blooded Godolphin-bred yearlings has been a privilege, and we eagerly anticipate watching them succeed on the track in the future.

Sales: Tattersalls Ireland and Goffs

The course has also taken us to Tattersalls Ireland, where we had the privilege of witnessing the hustle and bustle of a sales day. Orla McKenna, head of bloodstocks at Tattersalls, guided us through the workings of a sales company. It was great to get a glimpse into the role that sales play in the racing industry.

We had the unique opportunity to shadow various agents and work for top consignors at the Goffs Orby Sale Book 1. It was an intensive, hands-on experience that allowed us to put our classroom knowledge to practical use. I was lucky enough to shadow an agent based in the US. It was great to gain a different perspective on the buying process of a yearling with the intention of it going into training in America.

This week we also flew to Newmarket for the Wednesday of Tattersalls Book 1 Yearling Sale. Here we had the honour of meeting Sheikh Mohammad at the sale. It was an amazing opportunity to meet such an iconic figure in our industry and the funder of this wonderful course. This also was a great opportunity for those on the course who had not been to Newmarket before to see the town and sales complex.

Days at the races

We have attended many race meetings over the past few weeks. The biggest shock to those non-Irish trainees had to be the day’s racing in Laytown where their eyes were out on stalks watching the horses rattle down the beach. However, the Irish Champions Festival was a racing highlight for many of the trainees who were highly impressed with both Leopardstown and the Curragh.

It was a hugely enjoyable weekend which helped us get to know each other better as a group. As well as this, we spent the weekend in Paris at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, another hugely enjoyable weekend’s racing.

The Godolphin Flying Start programme has given us the tools, knowledge, and experiences to become leaders in the horse racing industry. We are grateful for this unique opportunity and eagerly anticipate the adventures that lie ahead as we move onto Newmarket at the beginning of November.

See godolphinflyingstart.com for more

information on the programme