2010 Trainee Views

May, Kentucky, 2011

We left you last as everyone was drooling with excitement waiting for the Keeneland Spring meet to begin. With the last two days of the meet upon us we have much lighter wallets but everyone is fully enthralled with American racing. As a new feature this year, racing expert and Darley Flying Start graduate Conor Foley set up a handicapping contest that made the meet even more interesting. The Twin 20, as it has been named, is a mythical $20 Win/Place bet on a predetermined race everyday of the meet. With two days left, tension is high between the trainees. Brianne and Barry are currently battling to keep the lead, but an upset from Michael Hardy is in the making and we can’t wait for the final results.

It has been an extremely wet spring as trainees are finishing up their practical work rotations, and there have been a couple of days where James has been shaking in his boots due to his newly developed tornado phobia. This was completely opposite to Nick, who was keen to venture through two separate tornados to get some extra foaling experience in at Stonerside. We’ve all been fortunate to help foal some amazing mares, it’s incredible the quality we are surrounded by at all the Darley farms. The opportunity to work a breeding season in Kentucky has been fantastic because we have been able to observe every aspect. Some have never worked in a breeding shed, others have never cared for a newborn foal; and for some the season is quite routine. However, whichever way we come at it we’ve all learned something new, as well as established some great relationships with the Darley employees and management.

Our afternoons have been varied between exciting visits and stimulating lectures. In preparation for the Keeneland breeze-up sale we were fortunate to talk with pin-hooking extraordinaires Pete Bradley and Nick De Meric. Jay Kilgore spoke on the topic of stride analysis and highlighted specific features to look for at the breeze show. For many of us this was our first experience of a two year-old sale, so going in with good background knowledge helped us to get the most out of it. Other talks have included Headley Bell with whom we discussed creating a broodmare band. We have also learned more about designing specific diets through our talks with nutritionist Steve Jackson and our continued class from Dr. Lawrence at the University of Kentucky.

Another highlight of the month was our mock trial, in which Barry was framed as the stud manager who terminated Brianne’s employment (wrongfully) and was being sued for everything he was worth. In the end the lawyers devised a most agreeable settlement, but none will soon forget the outrageous testimony by a certain Australian or the shouts of ‘Objection’ ringing through the courtroom. Clodagh and Joe with the rest of the Darley team who were our jury couldn’t help but enjoy the scenarios and accusations flying around.

Our next step is our work placements, a hot topic since before we came to the States. We’ve been thinking about possible opportunities for the last six months and the time has finally come for us to move forward as individuals. We will all be able to spend six weeks at a specific work placement, which this year includes the likes of Keeneland, Taylor Made, Kiaran McLaughlin’s racing stable, and Thoroughbred Daily News. This is a very exciting part of the course that we’re all anxiously awaiting, but hopefully we won’t miss each other too desperately! The other upcoming event that we are counting the days until is the legendary Kentucky Derby. For almost all of us this will be our first time to attend the famous race and there is no doubt it will be the highlight of the summer. With the last Derby Trial on Saturday night the field is almost certain, and all of us are looking forward to watching the best three year-olds in America run for the roses!

Kate Benner and Lindsay Schultz

Click here for a list of all 2010 trainee views

Matt showing a foal at Gainsborough