Follow That Dream

Her role centres around maintaining the standard and relevance of the Flying Start syllabus as well as coaching and mentoring the trainees who include past graduates such as Henry Field (Newgate Farm, principal), Stuart Boman (Blandford Bloodstock), Craig Rounsefell (Boomer Bloodstock), Andrew Birch (NZ Thoroughbred Marketing), Eden Harrington (China Horse Club), Andy Williams (Arrowfield Stud), Jason Walsh (Darley Australia), Liam Howley (Macedon Lodge Racing), Jimmy Unwala (Darley Australia), Brian McGrath (Robert Smerdon), Meagan Jamieson (VRC), Chris Armstong (Paul Messara Racing), Scott Calder (Coolmore USA), Vicky Leonard (Arrowfield), Adrian Bott (Gai Waterhouse), Nicholas Hay (TasBreeders), James Clarke (Bjorn Baker), Stephen Heath (James Harron Bloodstock), Stephen O'Connor (Newgate Farm), Emma Pearce (Gai Waterhouse) and Camilla Whishaw (Vinery).

Clodagh manages the recruitment and marketing of the program and to be selected for one of the 12 scholarships you need to get past her.

"We get around 100 applications each year from a wide variety of countries and we love to look at people from new countries as one of the ideas behind Darley Flying Start was to get people from smaller racing nations and emerging racing nations on to this program to give them an international education in the established racing countries," Clodagh explained.

"One of Sheikh Mohammed's dreams would be that one of these people will return to their country and go on to set up a national stud or a racing administration structure."

Darley recruit for new applicants annually in January and February with 30 to 40 selected for interviews.

"The application is very thorough and what comes in on paper is very important because that's how we make the initial judgement," Clodagh said.

A high academic requirement is also a pre-requisite, although a university degree is not essential.

"A university degree is not a requirement, it's either a degree or second level education which in Australia would be up to Year 12 and then five years experience in the industry," Clodagh revealed.

"More and more people are going to university now, so you find 10 or 11 of the 12 might have a degree, but there is a place there for a person who doesn't.

"Darley Flying Start is about horse management, business management and leadership - people, business and horses - so we're looking for a rounded character that's ambitious.

"Someone who we can give a chance to learn more and become successful themselves and thereby hopefully support the industry to become more successful in the long run."

The average age range for those on the course is between 22 to 33, but there are no limits as such.

"If I had a penny for everyone my age who says 'I'd love a place on that course', I'd be a rich woman," Clodagh quipped.

"We have taken people in their thirties, but 25 is the average age."

Another unique requirement in the application process is submitting video evidence of being able to ride a horse.

The first part of the course begins at Kildangan Stud in Ireland where trainees are involved in the breaking in process and it was discovered early on in the program that those without sufficient horse skills really struggled.

As a result, riding ability was added as a pre-requisite, albeit at a very basic level of being able to walk, trot and canter a quiet horse in an enclosed space.

Clodagh introduced the riding requirement and at times has had to defend it.

"What I found was that when it was time to send people to trainers on placements around the world, the first question the trainer would have is 'OMG, is it going to be someone that follows me around all day asking questions or can they do anything?'

"At least now I can say they'll be able to ride your lead horse and ride a quiet horse to the track and back.

"And if they've ridden they'll be able to tack up properly as they understand the consequences of a loose girth or a bit that's too tight.

"The other advantage is that the trainees absolutely love it and those that have learned to ride to come on the program always say it's one of the best things they've ever done."

Men and women are equally welcomed at Darley Flying Start and while there have been women on every course since the first class graduated in 2005, the balance has tipped their way with the last two graduating classes featuring seven to five in favour of women.

Given we all work in a very male dominated industry in terms of senior positions in both racing and breeding/bloodstock, I found this an interesting turn of events given the goal of this course in creating leaders.

Will it be a harbinger of change?

"I hope these young women will be the instigators of change towards gender bias in the industry," Clodagh said.

"Women have exactly as much potential as men to achieve management and leadership positions, although they may have a different style at times.

"The women we've had on the program have been superb and I think the change is coming."

Since the first trainees arrived at Darley in 2003, the course has evolved and expanded to cover changes in science and technology and all efforts are made to ensure it remains at the forefront of its field.

"My ambition is to keep it at the highest level academically in the thoroughbred industry that is possible," Clodagh said.

"I want it to remain a world leader in leadership and management in the thoroughbred industry."

There are some very good university degrees and there are very good practical horse management courses, but none offer the global experience and prestige of Darley Flying Start.

For those who miss out on selection for Darley Flying Start, Clodagh offers some advice.

"The criteria for the program in general is the criteria that will find people that will fit the industry, so I never say to people go back and do this and this to gear yourself for Flying Start," Clodagh said.

"I say go back and gear yourself for the industry and if you want to reapply and it's right for you it will happen and if it doesn't then you've spent a year or two developing a CV and skills and knowledge that will ensure you get on in the industry anyway."

Click below to listen to the full interview with Clodagh Kavanagh and click hereto visit the Darley Flying Start website.