THE 2024-2026 class of Godolphin Flying Start trainees have begun to settle in at Kildangan Stud after recently commencing their two-year thoroughbred industry scholarship.

This latest group comprises trainees from five different nationalities, France, the Czech Republic, the UK and the USA, while there are also five young people from Ireland.

This week, they will commence ICT and communications training and their Equine Anatomy and Physiology module at University College Dublin.

Godolphin Flying Start executive director Clodagh Kavanagh said: “We welcomed our 22nd Godolphin Flying Start class to Kildangan Stud last week. They are an enthusiastic group who are determined to forge careers in the thoroughbred industry. Their engagement and work ethic will stand to them as they progress through the Irish phase and beyond.”

Megan Bulbulia from Co Kildare and Matthew Browne from Co Wexford are the team leaders for the first Irish phase. In an update this week, the pair said: “It is a massive honour to have commenced this programme, which is the source of many leaders in the thoroughbred industry.

“The opportunity to gain hands-on experience and receive a high-class education across five different continents is invaluable. As a class, we are eagerly anticipating the months ahead, and we are extremely grateful for the opportunity we have been awarded.”