Course News - March 07

 

Spring is in the air and the rising temperatures in Kentucky have provided a welcome reprieve to the first-year group. All eyes are on the opening meet at Keeneland in April for the starved racing gurus. They have been keeping their hand in a little with a week of their practical rotation spent with Darley trainer, Johnny Burke at Keeneland. Other than that, most of the group have now completed four weeks with mares working with the teasing team each morning and keeping records of teasing and vet work. Most have done their two weeks of nights on foaling, and are competent to assist with a normal foaling and care for young foals. They have also learned all about the nominations, marketing, stud and accounts office procedures through those department managers giving each trainee a morning of their time.

During March, the trainees took part in a mock trial based on the problematic racing integrity issue of laying horses through betting exchanges. This was run in the court room of Stoll Keenon and Ogden with Darley management as the jury, and the trainees as plaintiff and defence teams.

The second-years are coming to the close of their time in Dubai with the spectacular World Cup meeting on Saturday night. They attended an endurance race last week which gave them an insight into one of Sheikh Mohammeds other great sporting interests. They return to Ireland on Easter Monday.

Interviews are in full swing for the class of 07. We have completed interviews in Ireland and the UK and will interview in Dubai on Saturday March 31st. Then its on to Sydney on April 2nd and 3rd and Kentucky on April 9th and 10th. The standard of people coming for interview has been excellent, and hopefully those who are not selected for Flying Start will stay in the industry in the future.

 

Clodagh Kavanagh