Godolphin Flying Start is a truly global experience.

The first phase of Godolphin Flying Start begins each August at Godolphin’s Kildangan Stud in County Kildare, Ireland. Over 10 weeks, trainees immerse themselves in the Irish industry, gaining hands-on experience with yearlings while living on-site in a rural setting.

They attend the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale, race meetings at The Curragh and Leopardstown, and study Equine Anatomy, Physiology & Reproduction at University College Dublin. Trainees also enhance essential skills with modules in multimedia, communication, and personal development.

This phase is accredited as a Level 9 Graduate Certificate in Management (Thoroughbred Industry) by UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School.

Newmarket, the heart of horseracing in the UK, plays host to the second phase of Godolphin Flying Start from late October to mid-December.

They attend the Goffs Orby Yearling Sale, race meetings at The Curragh and Leopardstown, and study Equine Anatomy, Physiology & Reproduction at University College Dublin. Trainees also enhance essential skills with modules in multimedia, communication, and personal development.

This phase is accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) as a short course provider in the UK.

Lexington, Kentucky, marks the third phase of Godolphin Flying Start’s first year, offering trainees six months of in-depth industry experience.

Arriving in January, they live in shared apartments with easy access to Godolphin USA, Keeneland, and key industry hubs. They attend Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton sales, gain hands-on experience with breeding stock at partner farms, and study Equine Nutrition at the University of Kentucky. Additional modules cover the Racing Officials Accreditation Programme, farriery, finance, legal, multimedia and communications. Trainees also have the opportunity to attend race meetings at Keeneland and Churchill Downs. The phase concludes with a four-week externship, allowing trainees to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.

Lexington, Kentucky, marks the third phase of Godolphin Flying Start’s first year, offering trainees six months of in-depth industry experience.

Arriving in January, they live in shared apartments with easy access to Godolphin USA, Keeneland, and key industry hubs. They attend Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton sales, gain hands-on experience with breeding stock at partner farms, and study Equine Nutrition at the University of Kentucky. Additional modules cover the Racing Officials Accreditation Programme, farriery, finance, legal, multimedia and communications. Trainees also have the opportunity to attend race meetings at Keeneland and Churchill Downs. The phase concludes with a four-week externship, allowing trainees to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.

Trainees complete a study tour in Dubai, UAE in January. This is their fifth location to experience and learn about the thoroughbred industry and UAE culture. They live in accommodation in the Al Barsha area and attend racing at Meydan, Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi Turf Club as well as visiting Dubai-based trainers and downtown Dubai City. They visit the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding and the old city of Dubai.

The final four month phase of the programme returns to Kildangan Stud in Ireland. This phase is focussed on entrepreneurship and trainees attend University College Dublin Michael Smurfit Business School to learn the skills to pitch their own business proposal as their final project. Modules include career development, finance and digital marketing. Trainees visit industry leaders in a range of businesses, from technology to retail and various thoroughbred entities and also have the opportunity to attend race meetings at Naas, Punchestown and Dundalk. The final, four-week externship takes place at the end of this phase, just before graduation.