PRESS RELEASE FRIDAY 21st AUGUST 2009
Latest intake of Darley Flying Start trainees arrive at Kildangan Stud
Back row from left: Katherine Williams, John Jessie, William Mayer, Ludovic Cornuel, Veer Tomar, Victoria Leonard
Front row: Yuan Zhou, Bernard Condren, Scott Calder, Michael Wilson, Chris Armstrong, Jennifer Barnett
This year’s new group of Darley Flying Start trainees arrived at Kildangan Stud on Monday, August 17th. The twelve trainees, who represent seven nationalities, were welcomed on their first day by Darley Flying Start and Kildangan Stud management at a lunch in Kildangan House. This provided an opportunity for the trainees to get to know one another and to meet with some key Kildangan personnel.
The course programme commenced immediately with Induction Training held in the newly-built Darley Flying Start training facility, a tour of Kildangan Stud and visits to Ragusa, Old Connell and Blackhall Studs. The trainees also started their Equine Anatomy and Physiology module this week.
Irish trainee, Bernard Condren, states, “As the only Irishman on this year’s intake of Darley Flying Start trainees I am delighted to welcome my eleven colleagues from around the world to Ireland for the start of this truly unique and exciting opportunity. We have only been at Kildangan Stud for a few days and already we have hit the ground running on the busy and challenging schedule of the course. Everyone is looking forward to the next two years!”
Chris Armstrong, from Co. Antrim said of the course, “The opportunities given to the trainees are incredible. The numbers of industry leaders and countries visited in this 2 year period are at a level that we could not achieve ourselves in 10 years. We are indebted to Sheikh Mohammed for his kindness and generosity”.
Jenny Barnett, Co Down, Northern Ireland, states, “Arriving at historic Kildangan to commence the flying start adventure is simply a dream come true. Nervous tension was in the air as each of us new trainees met each other for the first time. Each one of us offers a unique set of experiences, cultures and backgrounds but it has soon become clear that what we have in common transcends above these issues – a love and passion for the thoroughbred industry. The Darley Flying Start scholarship will enable us to create, maintain and fulfil our ambitions, regardless of class or creed and I cannot wait to see what the following eighteen months will hold!”
French trainee, Ludovic Cornuel, describes his first impression as a Darley Flying Start trainee as follows, “From day one we have been made feel really welcome. The Darley staff have been great. The trainee group is very cosmopolitan and diverse and I am sure we will learn a lot from each other. The course schedule we have been given is very exciting. I cannot wait for what’s next”
The trainees attended the Annual Summer Party at Kildangan House with the Kildangan staff on Friday evening. They enjoyed this opportunity to meet some more of the staff in a less formal setting.
The busy schedule of lectures, visits, assignments and practical experience will continue for the three month Irish leg of the Darley Flying Start programme until October 30th. The trainees will then travel to Newmarket to commence the next phase of the course.
The 2008 trainees arrived in the Hunter Valley, Australia on Monday 17th to commence their second year of the course.