Course News October 31st – November 7th 2009
First Year Trainees
The trainees arrived in Newmarket on Friday afternoon. Over the weekend they settled into their accommodation and adjusted to their surroundings in Newmarket. At Dalham Hall Stud on Monday morning their first port of call was the IT department to set up their laptops for use in the UK. In the afternoon they had a lecture on UK and USA Racing Analysis with James Willoughby in which they reviewed DVDs of races including the 2008 Breeder’s Cup. They discussed sectional timing and found the talk very insightful in terms of analysing race performance and speed.
On Tuesday morning Lisa Hancock talked to the group about her career to date and her experience of managing Newmarket racecourse. The trainees found it very encouraging to speak to someone who had achieved a great deal at a young age. That afternoon they had an informative talk by Darley’s Peter Amos on Artificial Track Surfaces. The following morning they toured the Newmarket gallops for a first hand experience of the tracks and surfaces. On Thursday morning the trainees completed their AED Course through the Red Cross. They also had a road safety talk with PC Adam Williams.
Visits this week included Michael Jarvis’ Kremlin House Stables with Roger Varian, the historic Jockey Club Rooms, Seven Springs yard and Gainsborough Stables.
Second Year Trainees
Before commencing their work placements in Australia and New Zealand the second years had a wonderful week of racing in Melbourne, the highlights of which were seeing Shocking win the Cup and Faint Perfume take the glory in the Oaks. The trainees visited the picturesque farm of Darley, Victoria and met with management and staff. Visits to training stables included David Hayes, Lee Freedman, Mick Price, Tony Noonan and Mark Kavanagh, where they got to see Shocking the day after his Cup victory. They also visited Darley’s Carbine Lodge training facility.