Course News August 31st - September 4th 2009
First Year Trainees
After a week of speculation as to whether Epsom Derby winner Sea The Stars would run in the Tattersalls Millions Champion Stakes, race day arrived and the trainees attended the Group 1 fixture at Leopardstown. Having been confirmed to run only hours before, Sea The Stars produced another classic performance and it was with much excitement that the group witnessed him achieve his fifth consecutive Group 1 victory this year.
Earlier in the week the group experienced a very different type of race meeting at Laytown, Co. Meath, Ireland’s only beach racing venue. The trainees enjoyed this unique event and its relaxed and sociable atmosphere.
After a horse handling skills demonstration at Kildangan Stud on Wednesday morning, the trainees spent two afternoons at the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (RACE) in Kildare receiving tuition and being assessed on their practical horse skills. They had an Introduction to Pedigrees lecture at Kildangan with Charles Spiller and completed their first written and practical assessments in Reproduction, Anatomy and Physiology. During individual meetings with Clodagh Kavanagh, the trainees commenced work on their Personal Development Plans.
Second Year Trainees
The trainees travelled from the Hunter Valley to Sydney on Sunday night ahead of an early morning visit to Gai Waterhouse’s Racing Stable at 4.25am on Monday. Impressed and inspired by Gai, her horses and staff they then met with Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds with whom they discussed marketing and syndication. They had a tour of Inglis Bloodstock Sales followed by lunch with Arthur Inglis, Jonathan D’Arcy and other Inglis management and then met with Dr. Treve Williams at Randwick Equine Hospital. The group also visited the training stables of trainers John O’Shea and Guy Walter at Randwick and Peter Snowden at Warwick Farm.
On Wednesday morning they commenced the first three days of their Leadership module at the Sydney University. On Saturday they attended the races at Randwick where they watched racing from Flemington and the live action at Randwick.