2007 Trainee Views

Lexington, Kentucky - May to July 2008

The month of May arrived and with it came what we had all been anticipating...The Kentucky Oaks and Derby. There are not many sporting events in the United States as celebrated as the Derby and this year it did not disappoint! Although we may have left Churchill Downs with our wallets a little lighter, the chance to see Big Brown’s performance was well worth it.

Before we took in the Kentucky Derby, some of the trainees found time to participate in an epic race of their own. Four current trainees (Darren, Leif, Cathal, and Ian), one graduate (Gerry Duffy), and two of our close friends rode an unthinkable eighty miles from Churchill Downs to Keeneland in an effort to raise money to find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis. The cycle ride was a joint effort with a crew in Ireland riding for the same cause from Dublin to Wexford Town. We raised $1500 in the Lexington to compile a grand total of €77,000 between the two countries. They guys spent all day on the bikes and arrived to a well deserved hero’s welcome and a barbeque at Keeneland.

Four other trainees (James, Liam, Andy, and Kyle) took part in the Chrysalis House 5K Fun Run only a few weeks after the cycle. With over 300 Lexington natives in attendance the men put in a good performance with all of them finishing in the top five for their ages and even more important, $26,254 was raised to help fight substance abuse for the women of Lexington.

May also brought with it the end of our practical rotations, a final exam on equine nutrition at UK, and another deadline for our NVQ portfolio. We were lucky to have lectures from experts such as Jay Kilgore on stride analysis, Mike Levy on equine insurance, and even a tour of the Jockey Club. We had the pleasure of touring Meg and Mike Levy’s Bluewater Farm to discuss sales prep. Tony Cissell greeted us at WinStar and provided the group with a memorable afternoon. We were all in awe after a tour of historic Claiborne Farm, the birthplace of many of the world’s best thoroughbred pedigrees. We also were privileged to welcome Dr. Yoshida, of Winchester Farm, to Jonabell for an afternoon of discussion about the Japanese racing industry, culture, and customs. He then treated us to a traditional Japanese lunch complete with Sushi and soba noodles.

The University of Arizona’s Wendy Davis and veteran steward Clinton Pitts spent a week with the group explaining the rules of American racing as part of the steward accreditation course ...sometimes quickly confusing our foreign classmates. During the course, we had the pleasure of having former legendary trainer and current Kentucky Steward John Veitch speak with us. Mr. Veitch’s perspective was tremendous. After the examination I think it is safe to say we were all chomping at the bit to leave for our individual placements.

These individual training placements took the trainees to all corners of the United States and sent two representatives, Mick and Kyle, to Japan. After a full day of travel, they arrived bleary eyed into Chitose Airport in Hokkaido, only to be greeted by recent graduate William “Bo” Rainbow at Darley Japan. Highlights included attending the Japanese Derby, a visit to Ritto Training Center, and a chance to see the famed Deep Impact at the storied Shadai Stallion Station. We were accorded some time to cut loose in Tokyo and made the best of it, although Bo may have been a little worse for wear on his flight back to Ireland the next day...our apologies.

Liam, Jason, and James made the trip out to Los Angeles to spend their time with trainers Eoin Harty, Doug O’Neil, and veterinarian Dr. Jeff Blea. With the alarm clocks going off at 3:30 every morning the boys worked hard, but don’t think they didn’t find time for a few afternoons at the beach to take in some of the local scenery. Rumour has it that Liam had a hard time coming home and is on his way back to Del Mar during our three-week break.

Jordyn, Ian, and Leif ventured east with Jordyn spending her time with the Thoroughbred Daily News in New Jersey, Ian returning to the barn of champion trainer Todd Pletcher, and Leif making the rounds with West Point Thoroughbreds. Jana went up to Chicago, the Windy City, to learn from the great crew up at the historic Arlington Racecourse. Three trainees held down the fort in Lexington with Andy and Darren assisting in yearling inspection with the Keeneland bloodstock team for the September Sale. Finally, Clifford Barry was gracious in accepting another Flying Starter as Cathal set up shop at Pin Oak Stud for his tour of duty.

Upon returning to Lexington we immediately were back into the swing of things. We spent a morning at Raceland Farm inspecting the Darley yearlings with Michael Banahan and Flying Start Trustee and all-round thoroughbred guru John Williams. We were also lucky enough to have back to back lectures to discuss the state of the American industry with Remi Bellocq of the HBPA and Alex Waldrop of the NTRA. The Fasig-Tipton July Yearling Sale began and we spent the five days learning from some of America’s best minds working with agents and consignors alike.

As is always the case, we finished our time in Kentucky with the Flying Start Conference at Keeneland Racecourse. The debate format, made so popular last year was back again and the contestants came out swinging. The matchups were close as can be, although the overall score did not exhibit that with the “Turf Specialists” made up of Ian, Liam, Mick, Jason, Jordyn, and Cathal winning in a landslide 6-0.

The last seven months in Lexington has been nothing short of incredible. We leave anxious for the next leg of the course, but we will surely not forget our time here and the people who made it so special. Thank you to everyone.

Kyle Wilson

Click here for a list of all 2007 trainee views

Group before a charity bike race