Course news 13th - 17th July
First Year Trainees
The first year trainees returned to Kentucky on 9th July from their individual training placements. A stallion conformation talk with John Williams mid-week was a good preparation for the Darley Stallion Parade the following Saturday. The trainees assisted at the parade and used their knowledge gained to evaluate the stallions.
The highlight of this week was the Darley Flying Start Jeopardy event at Keeneland on Wednesday 15th July. Following a barbecue supper in the clubhouse, the twelve trainees, split into three teams of four, put their industry knowledge to the test in Jeopardy format. A hint of Who Wanst to be a Millionaire was evident with the addition of two lifelines, “ask the audience” and “ask an audience member”. The three teams wagered with make-believe amounts ranging from $2,000 to $10,000 and chose from ten categories based on what they had learned and experienced during their stay in the USA.
Following the quiz, the trainees had a different form of challenge to fulfil. They each had to give a two-minute presentation on a topic drawn from a Darley cap. The twelve topics had been randomly selected for the trainees from a list of eighteen possible topics which they had been given 24 hours previously. Audience members voted on the quality of these individual presentations. After the two challenges, Team A, consisting of Gary, Meagan and P.J., emerged as the overall winners.
The event was well-attended and entertaining for all concerned. It gave the trainees an opportunity to showcase their personalities, communication skills and industry knowledge in an assignment designed to be testing yet somewhat light-hearted. This was the trainees’ final assignment in the USA. After the Fasig-Tipton yearling sale next week the trainees will bid farewell to Kentucky for a three week holiday before re-convening in Australia.
2009 Graduates
The second years are now graduates! Congratulations to them all. A very successful and enjoyable graduation ceremony took place at the new Dalham Hall offices on July Cup day, Friday July 10th. See press release for details. Contact details and employment information will be available on the website shortly.