Darley Flying Start masthead

 

Course News January 4th – 10th 2010

First Year Trainees

The trainees arrived in Kentucky on Monday January 4th to commence their six month training period in the USA. Having settled into their accommodation on Tuesday morning they were given a tour of Jonabell Farm with Olly Tait during which they saw the stallions and were introduced to some key members of staff. Also this week they visited Darley’s Gainsborough, Raceland, Stonerside and Dubai Millenium Farms and discussed their history and development with Michael Banahan. They visited the Keeneland Training Centre and discussed training in America and the facilities used with Johnny Burke. At Pin Oak Stud they met Clifford Barry and saw the stallions and they visited the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Here they were given a comprehensive tour with Dr. Rhonda Rathgeber who then gave them a talk on the role of the vet at the upcoming Keeneland Sale.

Other talks with week included routine and procedures during the breeding season with Dean Lavy and Michael Banahan and an overview of American Racing with Jimmy Bell. The trainees also attended a Driving Education Course at Boone Driving School which clarified the Kentucky driving laws for all in the group. On Wednesday evening they attended a welcome reception with Darley management at Jonabell Farm.

Second Year Trainees

The second year trainees commenced the Dubai phase of the programme on January 3rd. During their first week they visited a number of training stables including those of Mike de Kock, John Hyde, Satish Seemar, Herman Brown and Musabha Al Muhairi. On Wednesday they attended a Welcome Reception and the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management where they met with Dubai cooordinator Ajay Anne. They experienced many cultural aspects of Dubai durign their first week, visiting a mosque and learning about the business and social customs of Dubai.

Emirates Racing Associaton CEO Frank Gabriel welcomed the trainees to the new Meydan racecourse where he updated them on the building progress and they viewed the stands and the track.