2011 Darley Flying Start Trainees’ Conference
Ireland, 2011
The Annual Darley Flying Start Conference, entitled “Blue Sky Thinking” took place on Thursday, 28th October at the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge. The format was changed this year to an industry case study on the Darley Irish Oaks from a Curragh management and Darley stakeholder’s perspective. Clodagh Kavanagh introduced the event giving some background on the trainee group. Most of them had their first taste of Irish racing this year, but had prior experience of Group 1 events in seven countries. Their work experience in racing included clerk of the scales, amateur jockey, stipendiary steward, exercise rider, foreman, veterinarian, assistant trainer, journalist and race track administrator. The trainees presented their proposals to an audience of invited guests from the Curragh racecourse, the Curragh Committee, Horse Racing Ireland, the Turf Club and Darley management.
The trainees worked together as a team in preparation for the conference and on the night each gave a five minute presentation on their ideas and suggestions for the Darley Irish Oaks 2012 and the longer term. Irish trainee Jack Davison closed events by thanking guests for their attention and for giving the group the opportunity to work on an industry relevant project. Guests then joined the trainees for supper where the Q & A continued! The Conference represented the trainees’ communications assignment in Ireland and they departed for the UK the following day to commence the next phase of the programme.