2010 Trainee Views

October, 2010

It’s hard to believe that we are already leaving Ireland, it feels like only yesterday that we arrived in Kildangan. It’s been a hectic time since we last updated you just as we were beginning our work rotations in the yards at Kildangan. After long hours and fun had by all, our yearlings are broken and ready to be shipped off to the Darley Pre-Training Centre at Hamilton Hill in Newmarket, UK. Some people got very attached to their yearlings. “Twiggy’s Sister” will never be forgotten by one attached Aussie. While working in our yearling yards, we each spent a morning with Kildangan’s vets Don Collins MRCVS and Noreen Galvin MRCVS and also got to spend a day at the stallion yard. Our afternoons were filled by various visits and lectures that enthralled and inspired us all. There were great speakers every day, but some will be particularly well remembered. Harry Sweeney had us all convinced to learn Japanese by end of his talk on the Japanese racing industry, and Michael Morrison was already filling out paperwork to become an owner. He also challenged us to look out for the opportunities around the world and take them. Michael O’Hagan from Irish Thoroughbred Marketing was fascinating as he filled us in on the interesting stories about places his job has taken him. We really appreciated him taking the time out of his busy schedule to speak to us as he was jetting off on a marketing trip to India the next morning.

Henry Beeby, chairman of the Goffs/DBS group, hosted an excellent question and answer session at the Goffs Sales Complex on the running of a sales company and the struggles and opportunities that it faces in the future. Des Leadon MRCVS of the Irish Equine Centre gave us a very interesting talk on horse transport and shipping fever. David O’Connell spoke to us extensively about the importance of quality grassland and how to manage and sustain this most valuable of resources in the best way. This talk was reinforced by Kildangan’s own Sean Ryan who showed us the composting facilities on the farm and walked us through the process of pasture management and the machinery used.

We’ve also had the pleasure of experiencing top-class racing and partaking in some excellent trips over the past eight weeks. Trainees were thrilled to take in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown where we met with some major industry figures, and cheered on Cape Blanco as he made his impressive win. We also attended the Irish St. Leger where we witnessed Sans Frontieres win in some style. He had our Australian friends worried for the Melbourne Cup for a while but they let out a sigh of relief to hear he wouldn’t run. However the meeting that will forever live in our minds was the wet day at the Laytown races. We were all amazed to see some of Ireland’s top jockeys and trainers campaigning on the beach. The day’s craic was mighty and it was great to walk down the track (beach) and watch a flag start for a six furlong flat race. In our time here so far we’ve also been to visit the Irish National Stud (where Michael H was back at home) John Oxx’s yard, the Curragh training grounds, Ballysheehan Stud, Coolmore, Troytown Equine Hospital, and the beautiful Gilltown Stud to view Sea The Stars.

The trainees decided to make the trip to Paris for the Arc this year. The race meeting was like no other and it was pretty clear that none of us had anticipated how amazing it was going to be till we arrived at Longchamp. The atmosphere, fashion and fun was surreal. The French have a real passion for racing and the quality of horses we saw impressed us all. Workforce won in a spectacular fashion and Matt’s confidence in him was duly fulfilled.

We attended the Goffs Orby yearling sale at which we all spent time with a bloodstock agent or leading industry professional for the week. The experience was invaluable to all of us and gave us an opportunity to learn from and meet some of the leading Irish and international bloodstock figures. That week culminated with the Darley Flying Start Ambassadors lunch at Kildangan main house. The Irish Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith was the guest of honour and he gave an encouraging and inspiring speech. Other guests included the British and Australian Ambassadors, representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and a number of people from the Irish thoroughbred industry. This gave the group another chance to meet some influential people and enjoy an afternoon in the company of industry leaders.

At the moment we are busily preparing for the culminating event in the Irish phase of the programme, the Darley Flying Start Conference, which takes place tomorrow. Approximately 50 industry guests are expected to attend and we hope to entertain, inform and express our gratitude to the members of the Irish industry, who we have learned so much from during our time here.

On Friday we leave for Newmarket. We have an exciting six weeks to look forward to in the UK’s racing capital.

Signing off as team leaders, handing over to Matt and James for the UK phase,

Barry Lynch and Michael Hardy

Click here for a list of all 2010 trainee views

Treadmill demonstration at UCD