The 2018 – 2020 Godolphin Flying Start trainees arrived at Kildangan Stud on Monday, August 13th. The twelve trainees represent five countries: Australia, Ireland, UK, USA and France. The group were welcomed by Godolphin Flying Start and Godolphin management at a lunch in the Cape Cross Centre.
The first week on the programme has focused on induction training. In addition to a stallion show and tour of Kildangan Stud, they visited Godolphin’s Ragusa and Old Connell Studs and had a presentation on His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s bloodstock interests. They will shortly commence ICT and Communications training as well as their Equine Anatomy and Physiology module at University College Dublin. They will commence practical work experience assisting with breaking yearlings at Kildangan in early September. The group are in anticipation of their first taste of Irish racing at the Irish Champions Weekend Trials at the Curragh on Saturday and Sunday, August 25th and 26th.
Trainee John Bourke from Monasterevin in County Kildare is looking forward to hosting his international classmates on the Ireland phase of the program. “’I’m really excited about showcasing our renowned industry here in Ireland to my fellow trainees. We all come from different disciplines throughout the international thoroughbred industry which is fantastic as we can learn so much from each other.”
Lectures, visits, assignments and practical experience will continue for the ten week Irish phase of the program until the end of October when they will travel to Newmarket to commence the UK phase of the programme. The trainees will attend the Goffs yearling sales and racing at the Curragh, Leopardstown and Laytown.
The second year trainees commenced the Australian phase of the program on August 13th.
Back L-R:, Luke Evans, Nico Archdale, Samantha Cripps, Niall O’Connor, Amélie Lemercier, John Bourke, Corbin Blumberg, Annise Montplaisr, Liza Hendriks
Front L-R: Anna Power, Lucy Blake, Issy Paul