2009 Trainee Views

Kentucky, 2010

The Kentucky phase of the course started off smoothly with everyone arriving from many different locations, although Jennifer and her bags didn’t arrive together! Getting back into the course and out of vacation mode was a challenge but meeting with Tammy for the first time and getting accustomed to our new surroundings helped everyone re-focus. Our first week was filled with visiting all of the Darley establishments throughout Central Kentucky, where we were escorted by either Michael Banahan, Olly Tait or Bobby Spalding. All of the trainees were stunned by the beautiful acreage - from Raceland’s rolling, historic paddocks to Stonerside’s covered bridge.  We are all eager to get started on work rotations and get first-hand experience on these great operations.

We were welcomed to Kentucky with a reception attended by many members of Darley management and staff as well as Darley Flying Start graduates. It was a great night that followed a very interesting talk from Jimmy Bell on the current status of American Racing.

The following week was the Keeneland January Mixed sale.  All of the trainees were divided into small groups, and either went around with a member of the Darley nominations team or a veterinarian. This was a great opportunity for all of the trainees to sharpen their eye for conformation while also getting a better idea of a veterinarian’s role at the sale. If there was any time to spare after the sale, the entire group took advantage of the many open houses and stallion shows that were hosted by Central Kentucky farms. It turned out to be Ludovic’s birthday during the week of the sale, where the entire group celebrated with some fine American cuisine at “Hooters” restaurant. 

After the week of the January sale, the group started our long-awaited 2 week farriery module at the Kentucky Horseshoeing School with Director Mitch Taylor. The lectures were detailed and interesting, providing us with indepth detail of the equine distal limb and hoof. We started out trimming cadaver legs and training our eye on how to properly evaluate the hoof. The new school facility at Richmond was great, and provided a very efficient environment for us all to learn in. Everyone passed their written and practical tests with flying colors - both on cadaver legs and live horses. Yet even on top of the heavy curriculum we had to pack into our 2 weeks with the farriery course, we started our Equine Nutrition class at the University of Kentucky, taught by Dr. Laurie Lawrence. It’s a lot of work to handle at times, but we’re very dedicated and have what it takes to get through it all. We’ve also had some great talks and lectures. Dr. Sue McDonnell, Conor Foley, Keeneland management and John Adger have all been responsible as great speakers to the group. Darley Flying Start trustee John Williams was also been kind enough to take time out of his own schedule to share his views on stallion conformation.

The weather has been far from brilliant. The below freezing wind chills, with the sporadic snow storms are causing most of the trainees to beg for spring. We are all constantly reminded by everyone how beautiful Kentucky is during the spring, so putting up with this bitter weather should be worth it. We’re all looking forward to getting into the heart of the racing season, with the possibility of a Rachel Alexandra / Zenyatta match-up and Keeneland’s spring meet, followed by the Kentucky Derby and Oaks.

Mike Wilson and John B. Jessie


Click here for a list of all 2009 trainee views