Course News - July 2008
Darley Flying Start Graduation 2008
A Dozen Darley Flying Start trainees graduated on Friday 11th July, 2008 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 their diplomas by Darley Flying Start trustee Peter Amos, in front of an audience including industry professionals, and family and friends.
John Ferguson opened proceedings by congratulating all twelve graduates and then wished them well with their future endeavours. John spoke kindly of his time with the group and conveyed his pride in their appreciation of the opportunity they had been given.
Rishi Persad of the BBC racing team was MC for the evening and introduced graduate Eden Harrington from Australia to speak on behalf of this year’s graduating class. Eden spoke enthusiastically of his time on the programme, reflecting fondly on the friends that they had made and the wonderful opportunities which had been presented to them throughout their course of study. Eden also spoke in recognition of Sheikh Mohammed, who is the visionary behind The Darley Flying Start programme describing him as,
“a generous leader who supports education and has the foresight to recognise training as the key to success”.
The programme itself is a combination of equine and business courses, lectures from leading industry figures and practical experience in a range of areas including stud work, racing, bloodstock and veterinary.
The sheer diversity of the programme ensures that graduates have the opportunity to work in existing and emerging thoroughbred markets all over the world, therefore contributing to the long term success of the industry on a global scale.
Elizabeth Pathak from Canada received top honours of the evening for achieving the highest grade consistently over the two year programme. Elizabeth plans to return to Canada in the future where she intends to set up her own business and implement what she has learned throughout her time on Flying Start.
Both Joe Osborne and Clodagh Kavanagh addressed the audience, expressing their gratitude to Darley management and industry leaders for the time and effort shown to the trainees in their time both at home and abroad.
Guests at the ceremony included John Boyne (Chairman of Darley), Brian Grassick (Bloodstock Agent), Ronan Griffin (Goffs Bloodstock Sales), Shaun Harper (Emirates Academy Dubai), Des Leadon (Irish Equine Centre), Trevor Lobb (Crown Lodge/ Woodlands Stud, Australia), Edmond Mahony (Darley Flying Start trustee), Michael O’Hagan (Irish Thoroughbred Marketing), Peter Stanley (Darley Flying Start trustee) and Barbara White (Horse Racing Ireland).
The 2008 graduates are as follows:
- Andrew Birch, New Zealand
- Gina Bryce, UK
- Fabricio Buffolo, Brazil
- Alex Elliott, UK
- Eden Harrington, Australia
- Sarah Kilby, UK
- Elizabeth Pathak, Canada
- William Rainbow, USA
- Jerome Reynier, France
- Brandon Rice, USA
- Dean Roethemeier, USA
- Junling Sun, China
Clodagh Kavanagh
John Ferguson opens proceedings
Top honours student Elizabeth Pathak receives her diploma from Peter Amos
Joe Osborne's table at the Graduation celebrations
Rishi Persad of the BBC racing team talks to
Joe Osborne
Andrew Birch with Peter Amos
Clodagh Kavanagh, colleagues and guests