PRESS RELEASE Monday 9th November 2009
Darley Flying Start trainees commence work placements in Australia and New Zealand
The second year trainees commenced the four month Australian phase of the Darley Flying Start course on August 17th at Darley in the Hunter Valley. So far, they have completed their Equine Nursing module at Scone TAFE and their Leadership module though the University of Sydney. The trainees worked with the Darley Marketing department for the Darley Stallion parade, at which they assisted with preparations and greeting clients. They gained practical experience on all areas of farm work through a placement rotation system which saw them gain experience with foaling, working with mares and foals, assisting in the breeding shed, farming and maintenance at Darley Kelvinside and Darley Woodlands.
They received lectures from many industry professionals such as Cameron Collins MRCVS, Bill Howey and John Messara to name but a few. They have visited studs in the Hunter Valley including Vinery, Arrowfield and Widden and visited trainers such as Gai Waterhouse, Peter Snowden and John O’Shea in Randwick. The trainees have been busy with assignments based on the Australian thoroughbred industry and the care and management of breeding stock. The group departed the Hunter Valley on October 30th for a one week visit to Victoria which included racing at the Melbourne Cup carnival and visits to trainers such as Mark Kavanagh, David Hayes and Lee Freedman and studs in and around Melbourne.
The trainees commenced their four week work placements on Monday, November 9th. Six of the trainees will be based in Sydney while three will travel to the Cambridge area of New Zealand. German trainee Melanie Sauer will gain experience with Gai Waterhouse and Australia’s Brian McGrath will work with John O’Shea. Hong Kong’s representative Bill Wong will be placed with Aushorse and Jimmy Unwala from India will be based at Inglis Bloodstock Sales in Randwick. Americans PJ Anthony and Billy Ajello will also be based in the Sydney area, PJ with Crown Lodge and Billy with Anthony Cummings.
Destined for Flemington are Meagan Jamieson, Australian native of Victoria, who will carry out her work placement at the Victoria Racing Club, America’s Chance Timm who will be with agent Mark Pilkington and Charlie Vaughan-Fowler from the UK whose placement is with veterinary surgeon John Van Veenendaal.
Canadian Sorrel Schoenberger will travel to New Zealand as will Irish trainees Gary King and Mick Buckley. Sorrel will work with trainer Roger James in Cambridge, Gary King will work at Windsor Park Stud and Mick will be based at Waikato Stud, Matamata.
First year trainees Scott Calder and Victoria Leonard, both from New Zealand arrived in Newmarket on October 30th to commence the UK phase of the Darley Flying Start course.
To learn more about Darley Flying Start visit www.darleyflyingstart.com or contact Clodagh Kavanagh or Yasmin Kenny at ckavanagh@darleyflyingstart.com or ykenny@darleyflyingstart.com.