Course News October 12th – 18th 2009
First Year Trainees
This was week five of the trainees’ placements at Kildangan assisting with breaking yearlings. By now the breaking process is almost complete and most of the yearlings are at the stage where they are being driven in long reins with a saddle and bridle. The trainees continue to gain valuable experience from their placements. The trainees have been keeping daily horse progress record books which will provide evidence for their NVQ Level 3 portfolios.
On Monday afternoon the group visited Fairyhouse racecourse and met with manager Caroline Gray. Caroline gave an insightful talk into the management of the racecourse and the group found it beneficial for their upcoming conference which will focus on the Irish racing industry. The following afternoon the group had a lecture with Michael O’Hagan, chief executive of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing on, “Marketing the Irish Thoroughbred”. This talk also helped the trainees to discuss their conference topics and make progress with their presentations.
On Wednesday afternoon Des Leadon MRCVS of the Irish Equine Centre came to Kildangan and gave the trainees a talk on International Horse Transport Welfare Issues, a new topic to many. On Thursday evening the group travelled to Goffs Bloodstock Sales and met with CEO, Henry Beeby, who gave them a presentation on Goffs and Doncaster Bloodstock Sales. After this lecture the trainees visited Troytown Veterinary Hospital and met with Warren Schofield MRCVS. They toured the facilities and discussed specialised areas such as thermal scintography and Equine MRI, which they had touched on at UCD previously.
Joe Osborne met with the group on Friday afternoon for a Darley Management Review and a talk on Stud Farm Design. On Sunday six of the trainees attended Naas races and entertained journalist Chris Ashton and his wife Ana.
If you would like to find out about the Darley Flying Start programme from a trainee’s perspective check out Mike Wilson’s blog at mrswilsonracing@blogspot.com.
Second Year Trainees
This week the trainees continued their practical training rotations at Darley Kelvinside and Darley Woodlands. This week Sorrel was based at the foaling unit in Kelvinside, Mick learned about cattle farming procedures at Woodlands with the farm team and Brian worked with the farm crew at Kelvinside. Bill spent time with the Nominations team in the office. PJ and Charlie gained experience in the stallion complex learning about the covering procedure while Melanie worked with mares and foals in Darley Woodlands. Meagan worked alongside the yearling team at Woodlands. The trainees are currently preparing for their upcoming trip to Melbourne and their work placements which start on November 9th.