AUSTRALIA, NOVEMBER 2014
The past two months of Darley Flying Start have seen the second years take in a massive cross-section of the Australian Thoroughbred Industry. We have been spread across the Hunter Valley on practical work rotations at both Darley and outside farms, completed the Leadership module at the University of Sydney and spent a week in Melbourne on industry visits and attending the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
After part one of the University of Sydney Leadership module it was time to pull out the work boots and commence our first round of practical work rotations. We were fortunate enough to have five of the Hunter Valley’s premier breeding operations take us on for work experience, including Vinery Stud, Arrowfield, Yarraman Park, Segenhoe Stud, and Newgate Farm run by Darley Flying Start Graduate Henry Field. This was a chance for the trainees to experience Australian studwork on a range of commercially operating farms. In addition we also completed a rotation on Darley’s own farms, Kelvinside and Woodlands. During our rotations rainees were able to experience all aspects of daily stud operations, including working with mares and foals, yearlings, stallions, foaling, training and pre training.
After our first practical rotation the trainees returned to the classroom for the second instalment of the University of Sydney Leadership module. This part of the programme covered conflict resolution, business ethics, and leadership case studies. We also completed a role play scenario putting these skills into action under a very tight time constraint. The leadership module has definitely been a group highlight during our Australian phase.
In the last week of October we presented the Darley Flying Start Australian Conference: Aushorse Marketing. Aushorse is the marketing arm of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia. The group was charged with reviewing Aushorse and their current offering to both international and domestic buyers, then coming up with innovation solutions for Aushorse to consider moving forward. After an hour presentation to industry professionals including Aushorse board members, an open discussion ensued with the ideas being discussed in further detail amongst the guests and trainees. This was a great experience as we were able to openly discuss the thoroughbred industry in Australia and get opinions from some of the industry professionals who drive it.
After the conference the trainees set off on the 12 hour drive from the Hunter Valley to Melbourne for the flagship of Victorian racing; the Melbourne Cup Carnival. We were fortunate to attend all four days of the carnival; AAMI Derby Day, Emirates Melbourne Cup Day, Crown Oaks Day and Emirates Stakes Day. We witnessed Kiwi bred Preferment get up in the final strides to win the Derby, the German sensation Protectionist run away with The Cup, classy Reset filly Set Square out stay them in the Oaks, and of course the equal world’s best sprinter Terravista prevail in an epic battle with Lankan Rupee and Chautauqua to win the Darley Sprint Classic.
It is now time for each of us to head to our various Australian Industry Placements where the trainees will spend four weeks working for some of the major players in the Australasian industry. We have a variety of placements this year including a trainee at each major sales company in Australiasia; Magic Millions, Inglis, and New Zealand Bloodstock. We also have trainees placed with top Australian Trainers Chris Waller, Gai Waterhouse, John O’Shea, and Bjorn Baker, as well as leading bloodstock agent James Harron, Syndicator Champion Thoroughbreds, Aushorse, and Arrowfield Stud. These placements are an excellent opportunity to gain experience in areas of the industry that we are looking to specialise in. With only five weeks left in the Australia phase of Darley Flying Start we will be making the most of our chance to gain valuable experience in the industry here.