Course News - January 2008

The Flying Start trainees based at Darley Australia rounded off their five month experience with a conference held at the farm on December 11th. Those attending included graduates of the programme Henry Field and Kate Grimwade, Joe Osborne, Kildangan Stud,  Ireland, Warren Wruck, Turf Monthly and Peter Orton of Vinery Stud.

Alastair Pulford acted as MC and there was great audience interaction through the use of “Turning Point” technology which allowed the audience take part in votes and opinion polls throughout the evening!

During the conference each trainee played the role of an industry representative presenting an insight into the impact of EI on their business and giving their opinion on the handling of the issue going forward. It was an opportunity for the trainees to welcome guests to the event and to host them for an evening as a gesture of their appreciation to the Australian industry. During the weeks leading up to the conference the trainees had been fortunate to visit trainers in Sydney including John O’Shea, Tim Martin and Gai Waterhouse and many of the leading Studs in the Hunter Valley including Vinery, Coolmore and Arrowfield. They also completed a number of lectures on veterinary aspects of managing breeding stock at TAFE in Scone. Flying Start coordinator Fran Khan, Darley Directors Olly Tait and Henry Plumptre, Manager John Sunderland and Broodmare manager Barley Ward Thomas were instrumental in ensuring that this group of trainees gained great learning experiences in Australia, despite the challenges presented by EI. The trainees have three weeks Christmas holidays to relax and reflect on the first 18 months of the course. Alex Elliott, Fabricio Buffolo and Eden Harrington are taking in some racing in Hong Kong during the holiday. The next part of the programme is based in Dubai and begins on January 6th.

The first year trainees benefited from a busy schedule in the UK in November and December. They completed introductory modules in Finance, Insurance and Legal as well as placements in Darleys nominations, marketing, racing, accounts and stud offices. They attended the British Racing School where they learned to care for and ride racehorses and they attended the breeding stock sale at Tattersalls UK. I joined them for a leaving reception on December 11th at Dalham Hall Stud which was attended by Flying Start graduates, Darley management and British thoroughbred industry representatives. Peter Amos and Liam O’Rourke of Darley and Trisha McMurray, Darley Flying Start coordinator ensured that the trainees had a full and meaningful calendar in the UK.

They begin the next leg of the course in the US on January 2nd under coordinator Tammy Masterson.

You will see lots of advertisements for Darley Flying Start in January as we encourage interested candidates to apply. The deadline is February 22nd and we look forward to hearing from motivated young people who feel they should be selected for the scholarship.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and a fruitful 2008.

Clodagh Kavanagh