Inaugural graduation in Newmarket
Twelve trainees from the inaugural Darley Flying Start course graduated on Thursday evening (7th July 2005) at a ceremony at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket. The graduates, who have completed two years of study in Ireland, America, Australia, Dubai and the UK, were presented with certificates by John Ferguson in front of an audience of 150 guests from the racing and breeding world.
‘Sheikh Mohammed has had many brain waves but I genuinely believe this was one of his best,’ said John Ferguson. ‘He has created something for people with determination and passion and given them the tools to succeed.’ A combination of formal lectures from leading industry figures and practical experience in a range of areas from farriery to sales work have given the students a thorough grounding ahead of a career in horseracing. All 12 have been offered jobs on graduating in a variety of roles around the world.
Darley Flying Start programme manager Clodagh Kavanagh said: ‘Back in 2002, Sheikh Mohammed wondered where the new people in racing were coming from. The course was devised to generate the future leaders of the industry and we have had incredible support both from inside Darley and from many other organisations within the racing world.’ Camas Park Stud in Ireland, Australia’s Arrowfield Stud, Team Valor Syndication Management in Kentucky and Robert Scanlon Bloodstock Sales, a major breeze-up consignor in Florida, will all have a Darley Flying Start graduate joining their ranks in the coming weeks. A number of graduates will remain in Newmarket, working for bloodstock agents Anthony Stroud, James Wigan, John Warren and John Ferguson and in the racing offices of Darley and Godolphin.
Guests at the ceremony included BHB chief executive Greg Nichols, Pat Downes of HH The Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud, Chris Richardson of Cheveley Park Stud and Coolmore’s Michael Kirwan.
Rishi Persad of the BBC racing team was MC for the evening, introducing Irish graduate Lisa-Jane Moeran who spoke on behalf of her fellow students. ‘The course has given us the confidence to go out and meet people and make those initial introductions which would otherwise be so hard to do. We’ve had access to so much knowledge and experience. We’ve been lucky and have all really made the most of it,’ said 24-year-old Lisa-Jane who is due to start work for Team Valor in Kentucky.
Joe Osborne, managing director of Darley’s Kildangan Stud in Ireland, has worked closely with Clodagh Kavanagh in developing the course syllabus and summed up what has been a truly international debut for Darley Flying Start with the dozen students representing nine different countries.
‘They have been a fantastic bunch of students to work with in terms of what they have given us in feedback and enthusiasm and as ambassadors for Darley. ‘On the first day someone made the mistake of saying they were the guinea pigs. They were, in fact, pioneers and they have helped us fine-tune the course. ‘As we have seen today, we live in a troubled world but in the world of racing and breeding there are no nationalities and no borders – our common language is the thoroughbred horse. In these 12 people we have a very bright future for the industry.’
The 2003 graduates are:
- Stuart Boman (Australia)
- Michael Dilger (Ireland)
- Henry Field (Australia)
- Francis-Henri Graffard (France)
- Kate Grimwade (U.K.)
- Lisa-Jane Moeran (Ireland)
- Amy Oberhauser (U.S.A.)
- Andriy Ostapchuk (Ukraine)
- Tina Rau (Germany)
- Edward Sackville (U.K.)
- Hanako Sonobe (Japan)
- Tan Kah Soon (Malaysia)
The graduates, trustees and Course Manager, Clodagh, gather for one more time. Click on image for larger version.
Hanako with her family. Click on image for larger version.
A sumptious buffet was enjoyed by all. Click on image for larger version.
Rishi Persad, MC for the evening, with Clodagh Kavanagh. Click on image for larger version.
John Ferguson delivers the keynote speech. Click on image for larger version.
Joe Osborne delivering a memorable closing speech. Click on image for larger version.